Looking at Late Autism Diagnoses with Dr. Claire Jack

David interviews Dr. Claire Jack, a psychologist, writer, and host of the Autistic Minds podcast, about identity, late diagnosis, masking, and burnout. Dr. Jack describes learning about autism in her late forties after a therapist suggested it following a meltdown, then researching, blogging, writing books, and attracting autistic clients. She reflects on childhood signs (intense imagination, shyness, migraines, sensory sensitivities) that were accommodated rather than recognized, and explains how diagnosis reframed lifelong struggles, reduced self-criticism, and helped her set boundaries and act on her own terms. They discuss why autism is often missed in girls and women, how masking includes hiding stimming and rehearsing social language, and how ABA-related pressures (e.g., forced eye contact) can be harmful. Dr. Jack notes that feeling different isn’t always autism and shares a tip on noticing early signs of emotional dysregulation to prevent meltdowns and reduce shame. She addresses menopause-related sensory and healthcare-communication challenges for autistic women, shares a “kidnapped bus” misunderstanding illustrating predictive processing, and David shares his nonspeaking son Stone’s letter advocating for inclusive poetry contest participation.   Email David at [email protected] Find Claire at https://www.autism-assessment-online.com/   Topics 00:38 Meet Dr Claire Jack 01:56 Late Autism Discovery 05:14 Childhood Signs Missed 07:56 Diagnosis Reframes Life 11:26 Why Adults Seek Answers 13:26 Autism in Women 16:48 What Masking Means 21:32 When Masking Exhausts 24:01 ABA and Eye Contact 26:09 Eye Contact Shifts 26:34 Feeling Different Debate 28:07 Self Diagnosis Pitfalls 29:27 Tip Emotional Regulation 34:26 Menopause Differences 37:41 Confession Bus Hijack 45:04 Light Spectrum Story 48:50 Final Advice Wrap Up