Kirsten's Journey: Navigating Autism

SummaryIn this episode of the Who We Are podcast, host Zach Molock speaks with Kirsten Osborne, a young adult navigating her journey with autism and ADHD. Kirsten shares her experiences with mental health, the challenges of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance. She discusses her creative pursuits in writing and acting, and how her neurodivergence influences her perspective on the world. The conversation also touches on misconceptions about autism, the role of faith, and the power of humor in coping with life's challenges. Kirsten emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and reaching out for help, encouraging others to embrace their unique journeys.TakeawaysKirsten has a background in theater and is passionate about acting and writing.Early experiences with autism were misread as being overly dramatic.Masking is a common behavior in autistic individuals, leading to anxiety and depression.Kirsten's turning point was receiving her autism diagnosis at age 23.Faith plays a significant role in Kirsten's journey and self-acceptance.ADHD influences Kirsten's creative work and how she experiences the world.Healing is nonlinear, with ups and downs in the process.Misconceptions about autism often prevent proper understanding and diagnosis.Humor helps Kirsten cope and connect with others who share similar experiences.Kirsten encourages others to trust themselves and seek help when needed.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Kirsten's Journey01:30 Navigating Autism and Mental Health04:32 Understanding Masking and Its Impact06:26 Self-Discovery and Trusting One's Journey08:54 Faith and Its Role in Mental Health13:58 The Intersection of ADHD and Autism20:30 Creative Expression Through Challenges25:26 Chaos and Clarity in Healing29:15 The Importance of Self-Advocacy33:06 Therapeutic Approaches and Personal Growth34:43 The Power of Journaling35:28 Understanding Stimming and Autism36:34 Misconceptions About Autism39:19 Reframing Autism: Support Needs vs. Functioning Labels41:54 Empathy and Connection in Autism45:05 The Unique Bonds of Non-Verbal Communication48:26 The Role of Humor in Coping51:50 The Journey of Healing: Action vs. Reflection53:51 Messages of Self-Acceptance and Seeking Help57:17 Final Thoughts and Resources for Understanding AutismResources from Kirsten:Unmasking Autism by Devon Price: https://a.co/d/gHN4K7w It's written by a late-in-life diagnosed autistic and explores how social and structural changes like accessibility measures would improve the lives of both allistic and autistic people + provides a more in-depth exploration of what masking is, what unmasking looks like, and other terminology used in the community to explain and communicate our experiences. This website has several resources ranging from fictionalized media that accurately portrays autism as well as some of the history of autism + online resources covering accessibility and adult diagnosis. ⁠https://thinkingautismguide.com/resources⁠This is a good resource for up-to-date information on what autism is as well as relevant language/terminology used by and within members of the community. ⁠https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/autism-basics/what-is-autism/⁠Here's another link from the above website that will take you to the FAQ directory in which the above article is located; they have several subsections of information on autism such as diagnosis, disclosing one's diagnosis, government support, education, mental health services, and more. ⁠https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/⁠This is a resource for sensory processing difficulties and covers all different kinds of over/under-stimulation as well as copying skills/strategies to meet those challenges in a supportive, safe way. ⁠https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/sensory-differences/sensory-differences/all-audiences⁠If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.: https://988lifeline.org/