206. Getting Diagnosed with Autism as an Adult

Meghan Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor, autistic adult, and mother of two autistic children. Though Meghan had worked in autism spaces all throughout her career and her two children were diagnosed with autism, Meghan did not realize she was autistic and wasn’t diagnosed until she was thirty four years old. 

In our conversation, Meghan shares what autism is and why so many women are misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed, or diagnosed so late in life. She also shares the benefits of receiving a diagnosis and how her diagnosis positively impacted her life, mental health, and emotional well-being. The process of seeking out an autism diagnosis can be confusing. Meghan breaks down the process of how children and adults can seek out a diagnosis. And she discusses the ways adults can seek accommodations from their places of employment and how we can help to create more inclusive, autism friendly spaces. 

Meghan’s professional and personal goal is for this to be the last generation of Autistic kids born to parents who don’t know what to do when handed an Autism diagnosis for their child. She wants parents of Autistic kids and parents who are Autistic themselves to feel seen, heard, and supported so that they can be the best helpers for their children. She believs that the best tool an Autistic child can ever have is an informed, determined, and loving caregiver. 

Listen to my conversation with Meghan to learn more about autism and how you can help support the autistic community by advocating and creating autism friendly spaces.