152 [S11 E7] Sparkly things and heavy loads: autistic menopause, academia and lived experience

Dr Rachel Mosely was halfway through her second postdoctoral job in autism research when she learnt that she herself had been suspected as being autistic as a child. After some investigation, she was assessed and diagnosed at the Lorna Wing Centre, aged 28. Ten years on, Rachel is Principal academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University, where her research focuses on understanding the challenges faced by autistic people, primarily around mental health. She has a degree in Psychology and a PhD in cognitive neuroscience from Cambridge University. Together with colleagues she has conducted work on menopause as a time where autistic people can particularly struggle. Her book, Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and Those Supporting Them, was published in January this year. The book draws on the voices of sixteen autistic experts, covering everything from understanding why being autistic will affect your experience of the menopause, to advice about finding the strategies that work for you and seeking help. It discusses how menopause can cause changes to our emotions, attention and memory, as well as affecting things like sensory issues, masking and communication, and provides tools to manage changes effectively. Above all, it provides reassurance that we're not alone. As a child Rachel struggled with low self-esteem and poor mental health. She discovered a love for psychology and neuroscience at university, and was drawn to studying autism, as she felt a strong empathy towards other people who struggled socially, as she did. Now she understands herself as being autistic, she hopes to encourage and empower others by showing the 'less than perfect' side of things behind the professional face. Rachel lives in Bournemouth in the UK, where she is a devoted dog-mother to Frodo. Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they've learned along the way. I'm Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I've been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020. I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they'll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.   ➡️LISTEN AD-FREE WHEN YOU BECOME A PATREON SUPPORTER https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast    EPISODE LINKS: Dr Mosely's website with accessible versions of research: https://www.scienceonthespectrum.net/  Her book: https://uk.jkp.com/products/autistic-menopause  Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-moseley-197a74138/  If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abi Hunter, Alex, Alex Lee, Alice Kemp, A-M, Amy Adler, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Annie, Anya Nebl, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Barbara, Basia, Becca Lee, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Bobbi Sue, Caprice, Carly, Caroline, Cat Preston, C M, Claire Gerard, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Danielle Wrench, Daphna Epstein, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deidre Stark, Dennis McNulty,, Eleanor Goulding, Em, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Mazow, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Frederike, Galina, George Cole, H.B, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Helen Anne Hooker, Helen Crosby, Helen Delaney, Holly Knight-Smith, India, Ingrid, Jackie Allen, Jane, Janice, Jennifer Romanello, Jess Dwyer, Julie, Julie Goldberg, Karen, Karin Parker, KatF, Kate, Kathryn, Katharine Richards, Katherine Meizel, Katie, Ken K, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Lilli Simmons, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, Liz P, Lula Cork, Maggie Dodd, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Meg c, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Mindy Wigzell, Monica Toohey, N, NC, Nicola Neil, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Carey, Sandra Chapman, Sandra Rensman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah LW, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Whitehead, Shelia Smith, Siobhan, Sophie King, Talia's Nature,Tris, Vicki Temple, Victoria Jeffrey and Zans McLachlan.   If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast