#61 Rachael Wiltshire | Unlocking the Power of Diagnosis

Rachael, who shares her personal journey living with autism. Rachael starts by debunking the misconception that autism only affects little white boys who line up trains. She explains how some autistic people are skilled at pretending to not be autistic, but it comes at a cost such as burned out. The episode delves into Rachael's personal experiences attending primary schools in both New Zealand and Adelaide. Rachael begins by challenging the stereotype that autism only affects little white boys who line up trains. She highlights that autism is a spectrum and that each individual is unique, emphasizing that it's essential to recognize and embrace this diversity. One significant aspect of Rachael's story is her experience in school. Having a diagnosis allowed her school to make necessary changes to support her education. However, she chose not to disclose her diagnosis to her classmates. Rachael felt a lack of representation in books and literature about autism, which primarily focused on boys. This lack of visibility made it challenging for her to see herself reflected in these stories.She shares her struggles with relating to peers of her own age and finding solace in connecting with younger children. Rachael's story encompasses experiences of anxiety and the development of rituals and routines as coping mechanisms. Altogether Autism https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/ Love Not Cure. This is a self produced podcast.Support our work by buying Takiwatānga shirts here:https://bit.ly/Takiwatangashirts *International shipping available