17. Diagnosing Autism in Adults with Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

In this episode, Di interviews Wendela Whitcomb Marsh who shares her personal journey and expertise in late-diagnosed autism. She discusses the challenges of coping with tragedy and moving forward, the misconceptions about neurodiversity, and the uphill battle of diagnosis in adults with neurodivergence. Additional Links Buy Di's latest book "Indomitable: A Foster Care Story" at diciruolo.com. Learn more about Wendela at https://wendelawhitcombmarsh.com/ Learn more about autism in adults at adultautismassessment.com Contact Wendela at [email protected] and make sure to mention The Indomitable Podcast! Takeaways Late diagnosis of autism is more common than you think, especially in women and girls. Misconceptions about neurodiversity, such as the belief that autism is mostly found in boys, can hinder proper identification and support. Diagnosis is crucial for self-identification, finding support, and accessing appropriate services. Schools and educators are becoming more informed about neurodiversity, but there is still progress to be made in creating inclusive environments with better support and funding. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Background 02:23 – Coping with Tragedy and Moving Forward 05:18 – Late Diagnosis of Autism 09:55 – Misconceptions about Neurodiversity 16:06 – The Challenges of Masking 19:48 – The Uphill Battle of Diagnosis 25:58 – The Importance of Labels 28:41 – The Importance of Social Skills in Education 30:49 – The Need for Increased Funding for Special Education 33:20 – The Growing Awareness of Neurodiversity in Schools 36:09 – Personal Experience and Parenting 42:02 – The Increase in Autism and ADHD Diagnoses 46:38 – The Unique Skills and Challenges of Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace 49:06 – How to Connect with Wendela and Learn More