In this episode of Autistic FM, we welcome Bekkah, also known as Autism Bekkah online, who shares her profound journey of navigating life as a neurodivergent individual. Bekkah opens up about the challenges she faced in seeking a diagnosis and the cascading effects it had on her understanding of herself and her family. This episode dives deep into her experiences of parental responsibilities and personal awakenings, offering listeners an intimate look at the nuances of neurodivergence.

Bekkah's story is one of resilience and insight, exploring how she has learned to manage her mental health while juggling significant life changes. From dealing with neurological Lyme disease to the complexities of parenting autistic children, her tale is both educational and inspiring. Bekkah offers a heartfelt perspective on autism, mental health, and the importance of recognizing and meeting personal needs through self-care and acceptance.

We dig into how Bekkah approaches burnout recovery, discovering joy amidst chaos, and the necessity of creating safe spaces for relaxation. Her candid reflections on sensory needs and overcoming societal expectations provide valuable insights for anyone grappling with similar challenges.

Topics covered in Episode 36

• Neurodivergence and Diagnosis: Bekkah shares her path to receiving a formal autism diagnosis and the impact on her identity and family dynamics.

• Mental Health and Burnout: Insights into managing burnout and maintaining mental health while balancing parenting and personal health challenges.

• Self-Care and Sensory Needs: Discovering how Bekkah finds joy in daily life and accommodates her sensory preferences for better well-being.

About Bekkah

Bekkah is a late-diagnosed autistic woman and the proud mother of four children, all of whom are also on the spectrum and have a range of support needs. She is passionate about sharing her journey and advocating for both the autistic and broader disability communities. With a wealth of lived experience, Bekkah has many stories to tell.

She stands for love, kindness, harm reduction, access to proper medical care, equal rights, safe spaces, increased awareness, and real, actionable support for those in need. Bekkah believes deeply in the power of community and the importance of accommodations for people with disabilities—because, in her words, “we really are all in this together.” 🫶🏽

About Bekkah

📎 Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/autismbekkah

📱 TikTok: @AutismBekkah

📸 Instagram: @BekkahsAutistic

📘 Facebook: Bekkah On The Spectrum

Content warnings

This episode includes discussions on mental health struggles, medical and health conditions, and the challenges of autistic burnout and recovery. Please take care while listening.