#175 Late-Diagnosed Autism: How One Discovery Changed an Entire Life with Katrina Spiva

In this deeply personal episode of the Power & Purpose Podcast, Vanessa sits down with her sister, Katrina, to share her journey of discovering she is autistic as an adult.It's a conversation about self-awareness, healing, acceptance, and finally having the language to understand your own experience.Whether you're neurodivergent, suspect you may be on the spectrum, love someone who is, or simply want to better understand the human experience, we hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone.If this episode helps even one person begin their own journey toward understanding themselves with more compassion, then sharing this story was worth it.❤️ If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.⏱ Timestamps00:00 Preview01:03 Welcome & Why We Recorded This Conversation02:53 The Beginning of Katrina's Autistic Awakening05:37 Childhood Signs That Were Missed08:08 Being Labeled "Difficult" Instead of Understood10:03 What Masking Really Looks Like15:14 The Book That Changed Everything16:53 Processing the Emotional Impact of Self-Discovery20:34 "I've Been Drowning for Years"22:16 The Challenges of High-Functioning Autism24:00 Feeling Misunderstood & Searching for Answers27:33 Autism, Burnout & Nervous System Regulation29:23 How Self-Awareness Changed Relationships33:17 Therapy, Healing & Learning to Advocate for Yourself36:01 Advice for Adults Who Think They May Be Autistic37:45 The Unmasking Workbook for Adults Recommendation40:39 Embracing Autism Without Losing Yourself42:23 Supporting Someone Through an Autistic Awakening44:06 Final Thoughts & Message of Hope📚 Resources Mentioned📖 The Unmasking Workbook for Adults by Jessica PenotConnect with Vanessa Soul:🌐 Website: https://vanessasoul.com/Sacredsoulenergetics📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/vanessaasoul📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VanessaSoulWork📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.spiva.9Listen to the Power and Purpose Podcast:🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7itutYtXv9lVJQZcjcdg7C🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-and-purpose-podcast/id1713095352Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.