Episodes

  • Autism in Women: Late Diagnosis, Masking, and the Minds That Move Us Forward

    Autism in Women: Late Diagnosis, Masking, and the Minds That Move Us Forward
    Dec 16 2025
    Originally recorded in 2019, this episode of Converge Autism Radio continues to resonate years later as conversations around late-diagnosed autistic women, masking, trauma, and identity have come into sharper focus.

    In Autism in Women: Late Diagnosis, Masking, and the Minds That Move Us Forward, we speak with Madonna Kilpatrick, a late-diagnosed autistic woman whose background spans anthropology, sociology, theater, improvisation, stand-up comedy, and museum education.

    Referred to the show by Dr. Mark Goulston, Madonna brings both intellectual rigor and lived experience to a deeply human conversation about what it means to discover your neurodivergence in adulthood—after decades of navigating the world without language for your wiring. Together, we explore high masking, stigma, creativity as survival, the overlap between trauma and neurodivergence, and how autistic cognition has quietly shaped culture, innovation, and progress all along. Madonna reflects on school, theater, intelligence, social expectations, and the cost of being misread for most of one’s life—and what becomes possible when clarity finally arrives.

    This conversation predates much of today’s mainstream dialogue around late diagnosis, yet it anticipates many of the insights now widely discussed: the limits of functioning labels, the emotional toll of masking, and the urgent need for more humane, nuanced understandings of autism—especially in women.

    Editor’s Notes
    • This episode was recorded in 2019. Some terminology used reflects common clinical and cultural language of that time.
    • References to terms such as “high-functioning” appear in the conversation. Current best practice emphasizes support needs and lived experience rather than functioning labels.
    • Mentions of Asperger’s / Asperger syndrome reflect diagnostic language in use at the time of recording. Today, these traits are understood within Autism Spectrum Disorder.
    • These notes are included for context, not correction. The lived experiences and insights shared in this episode remain valid and valuable.
    This episode remains widely shared because it captures something timeless: the relief, grief, humor, and self-recognition that often accompany late diagnosis—and the realization that the minds once labeled “too much,” “too strange,” or “too intense” are often the very minds that move humanity forward.

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    35 mins
  • Creating Safe Pathways: How Schools Can Support Autistic Students Through Crisis

    Creating Safe Pathways: How Schools Can Support Autistic Students Through Crisis
    Dec 1 2025
    In this episode of Converge Autism Radio, guest host Reid Miles speaks with Dr. Alice Ackerman and Rebecca Erwin, two experienced clinicians and educators working at the intersection of autism, behavioral health, and school crisis response.

    Together they explore:
    • The critical role schools play in supporting autistic students
    • Why behavior is communication — not defiance
    • How schools can respond to crisis without escalation
    • What teachers and parents actually need during high-stress moments
    • The importance of training, collaboration, and early intervention
    • Real-world examples from clinical and educational settings
    • How professionals can shift from fear and reactivity to understanding and partnership
    This is a grounded, compassionate conversation for parents, teachers, clinicians, and advocates seeking deeper insight into trauma-informed, neurodiversity-aware crisis support.

    Guest Websites:

    Dr. Alice Ackerman
    https://adackerman.com

    Rebecca Erwin
    www.thelarkcenter.com

    This episode is part of the Converge Autism Podcastathon and includes a mid-show spotlight for Springbrook Behavioral Health's newest program, All Abilities & No Filter.

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    56 mins
  • Living Beyond the Numbers: Dyscalculia, Advocacy, and Hope

    Living Beyond the Numbers: Dyscalculia, Advocacy, and Hope
    Nov 11 2025
    Guest host Reed Miles welcomes writer, photographer, and educator Michelle Steiner for an honest conversation about breaking barriers and redefining what it means to live—and thrive—with a learning disability.

    Michelle shares her journey with dyscalculia, her experiences in education, and how she turned stigma into strength through writing and photography. She now inspires others through her blog and online shop at michellesmission.com.

    Together, Reed and Michelle explore advocacy, sensitivity in support systems, and the importance of seeing ability beyond diagnosis.


    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    44 mins
  • Creative Brilliance and Neurodivergent Empowerment

    Creative Brilliance and Neurodivergent Empowerment
    Oct 31 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Converge Autism Radio, host Reid Miles sits down with artist, author, and creative business coach Mandy Nicholson to explore the deep connections between creativity and neurodivergence. Mandy—founder of The Creative Genius Consultant—shares her journey of self-diagnosed autism, raising two autistic children, and guiding other neurodivergent women to build thriving, passion-led businesses.
    They discuss her bestselling book Beyond the Ordinary: Discover the Power of Creative and Neurodiverse Women, the challenges of late diagnosis, and how creativity can become a bridge to self-acceptance and empowerment. Learn more about Mandy’s work at https://linktr.ee/violetauraart.

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    50 mins
  • Father and Son Edition: Becoming a Better Parent

    Father and Son Edition: Becoming a Better Parent
    Oct 2 2025
    In this heartfelt episode, Jeremy Rochford reflects on his evolution as both an autistic adult and a parent. He shares candidly about past struggles with anger and communication, and how learning to shift from control to connection transformed his relationship with his son, Jonathan. Together, father and son bring humor, honesty, and perspective—closing with a lighthearted segment about their first comedy gig as a duo. It’s an authentic look at growth, forgiveness, and the joy that comes from embracing both the serious and the silly sides of parenting.

    ourneurofam.com

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    47 mins
  • Autism Through a Teen Girl’s Eyes

    Autism Through a Teen Girl’s Eyes
    Sep 26 2025
    In this episode, Charity Rochford of NeuroFam hosts an open and heartfelt conversation with her daughter, Corinne, about life as a teenage girl on the spectrum. From navigating friendships and social pressures to embracing strengths in theater and creativity, Corinne shares the challenges and gifts of her journey with autism. Their dialogue highlights how autism can present differently in girls, the impact of masking and people-pleasing, and what it means to find authenticity in relationships. This episode offers validation, hope, and practical insight for families, educators, and professionals seeking to better understand autistic girls’ experiences.

    https://www.ourneurofam.com/

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    42 mins
  • Beyond Diagnosis: Dr. Tony Attwood Talks Connection, Couples, and Communication

    Beyond Diagnosis: Dr. Tony Attwood Talks Connection, Couples, and Communication
    Sep 18 2025
    In this episode of Converge Autism Radio, hosts Stephanie Holmes and Jeremy Rochford welcome internationally renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Attwood. Together they discuss his groundbreaking new book, Relationship Counseling with Autistic Neurodiverse Couples: A Guide for Professionals (co-authored with Maxine Aston). Dr. Attwood shares insights from decades of work in autism, exploring unique challenges in mixed neurotype relationships, autistic women in partnerships, and practical strategies for communication. Stephanie and Jeremy also reflect on their personal and professional experiences, offering hope and resources for couples navigating neurodiverse relationships.

    Learn more and order the book: https://tonyattwood.com.au/ and https://www.amazon.com/Relationship-Counselling-Autistic-Neurodiverse-Couples/dp/1805013025?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    35 mins
  • Finding Creativity and Confidence Through Neurodivergence

    Finding Creativity and Confidence Through Neurodivergence
    Sep 11 2025
    In this episode of Converge Autism Radio, host Reid Miles sits down with Debbie Crouch, a creative wellness and therapeutic arts tutor, to explore the transformative power of art and neurodivergence. Debbie shares her story of being discouraged from pursuing art as a child, only to reclaim creativity later in life as a tool for healing and connection. She discusses how neurodivergence can be reframed as a gift, the role of imagination in resilience, and the importance of telling our stories to remind others they are not alone. Debbie is also a co-author of Beyond the Ordinary, a collection of stories from neurodiverse and creative women. Learn more about her work at www.creativewellnessjourney.co.uk.

    www.springbrookbehavioral.com

    www.convergeautism.com

    www.allabilitiesnofilter.com
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    41 mins