Episode 17 - When the World Isn’t Built for You: Neurodiversity & Mental Health

In this episode, Athena Cordero sits down with Jennifer Cork, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Doctor of Social Work, author, and keynote speaker who is also as autistic. Jennifer brings both professional expertise and lived experience to a powerful conversation about neurodiversity, mental health, and what autistic individuals truly need to thrive, especially during life transitions.Jennifer shares her journey from elementary education into social work, disability services, and eventually private practice, where she now works almost exclusively with neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. She explains why many of the challenges her clients face, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and trauma, cannot be addressed in therapy alone, but are rooted in systems that were never designed to support neurodivergent minds.The conversation explores masking, emotional regulation, anxiety‑based behaviors, and how autism often presents differently in women and girls, leading many to be misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life. Jennifer also discusses the curriculum she developed to address critical gaps in mental health care for neurodivergent clients and the research behind her book, What’s Your Anxiety Level?As the keynote speaker for the April 14th Regional Captain X Conference, Jennifer previews her talk on navigating life transitions while supporting the mental health needs of autistic learners, highlighting why the transition to adulthood is one of the most vulnerable and overlooked periods. This episode offers clinicians, educators, parents, and autistic individuals practical insight, compassionate understanding, and hope rooted in possibility.HighlightsJennifer shares insight as both an autistic individual and a licensed clinical social worker.Clear explanation of neurodiversity and neurodivergence for parents, educators, and clinicians.Discussion of anxiety‑driven behaviors and emotional regulation challenges.Why autism often presents differently in women and girls.Exploration of masking and its emotional impact over time.Preview of Jennifer’s keynote and clinician training on life transitions.Key TakeawaysMany mental health challenges stem from systems not built for neurodivergent minds.Anxiety in autistic individuals is often misunderstood as behavioral issues.Autism in women and girls is frequently missed or diagnosed later.Masking can help navigate systems but often leads to burnout.Life transitions require intentional planning and explicit supports.Autistic individuals need to hear possibility‑focused narratives.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram | www.cahelp.org | [email protected]