Hello and welcome to my podcast, The Wellness Project with Des. On today’s podcast episode, I speak with Brooke Garren about receiving her autism diagnosis in adulthood.
I’m Desiree, a Mental Health Therapist and Holistic Wellness Coach, passionate about helping you to improve your mental health and live a healthy and fulfilled life. One way I do this is by interviewing experts in the field of mental health and wellness as well as those that share their first-hand accounts with their mental health journeys. In this podcast episode, we will hear from Brooke about autism and why so many women are diagnosed later in life.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Brooke Garren is an autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic therapist, as well as the founder of Uniquely You Behavioral Health, a neurodiversity-affirming group practice in Illinois.
In our conversation, Brooke opens up about her personal journey of masking throughout childhood and adolescence, always sensing she was different, but not yet having the language to understand why. It wasn’t until she began working closely with the autistic community that she started recognizing the same traits within herself. Her formal autism diagnosis in adulthood was a turning point when everything finally clicked for her.
In this episode, Brooke breaks down what autism actually is, what masking looks like, and why so many autistic people, especially women become so skilled at it. She explains the meaning of neurodiversity, describes common autistic traits, and walks us through what the diagnostic process can look like. Brooke also shares how receiving her diagnosis helped her better understand her needs, strengthen her relationships, and embrace who she truly is.
A key part of our discussion explores why autism in women is so often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or completely missed, leaving many women to go through most of their lives without answers.
Brooke’s healing journey ultimately shaped the work she does today: supporting neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults as they unmask, regulate their nervous systems, and feel genuinely seen and affirmed.
Listen to my conversation with Brooke to hear her powerful story of being diagnosed with autism as an adult, learn more about the autistic experience, and discover ways you can support autistic individuals and help create neurodiversity-affirming spaces.