Unmasking Autism: Late Diagnoses and Its Impact on Women with Dr. Angela Lauria

In this episode, Mary is joined by Dr. Angela Lauria, a late-diagnosed autistic adult to explore the intersection of neurodivergence and menopause. Angela divulges her journey with an autism diagnosis to understanding her heightened sensory experiences during menopause.  She shines a critical spotlight on  historical societal norms and biases towards neurodivergence acceptance in boys as opposed to girls and children of colour or lower socioeconomic status  and further discusses why many women may still remain undiagnosed. Angela also emphasises the importance of self-identification over formal diagnosis. The conversation dives deep into the eight (8) senses of neurodivergent individuals, shedding light on the need for tailored support for neurodivergent women, and the significance of community and self-advocacy to help navigate the compounded effects of symptoms in menopause.Angela has a B.A. and an M.A. in Journalism and Media Affairs from George Washington University and a PhD in Communications from European Graduate School. She has leveraged her autism with a life-long special interest in nonfiction to help almost 2,000 entrepreneurs write, publish, and promote their books through her company Difference Press. She, too, is an author of eight books, including a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller. In addition to her professional work, she created The Autistic Culture Podcast (ranked in the top 2.5% of global podcasts) to advocate for viewing autism as a cultural difference to be embraced and not a disorder to be fixed.Links and Resources:Find Dr. Angela Lauria's work at Difference Press and her podcast Autistic Culture Podcast Connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, and InstagramRead the recommended study: A perfect storm Mary's Blog: The Tumultuous Intersection of Autism and MenopauseLet us know if you're liking the show!Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.