In this episode of Unlearning Autism, Christine speaks with Nicola, a late-identified Autistic woman, mum of three, andadvocate for a more compassionate understanding of Autistic life. Nicola talks about discovering she was Autistic at 42 and what that unlocked for her, the overlap between perimenopause and recognising Autistic traits, the impact of burnout and why rest is essential, parenting Autistic children with more acceptance and fewer demands, finding community and connection through lived experience. This is a warm and validating conversation for anyonenavigating late discovery, parenting, or Autistic burnout — and a reminder that understanding ourselves changes everything.

🎧 listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts
🔗Full transcript for this episode is available

You can connect with Christine on Instagram @christinedoyle. Visit www.christinedoyle.ie for further information on Christine’s group late-identification support, Wild Women Community and to enquire about 1:1 post-identification companion work.

A special thanks to Doerte Meyer for the intro jingle and toAbigail Ward for producing the podcast.

In this unscripted My Autistic Musing, I reflect on something I return to again and again in post-identification life: re-remembering.

Re-remembering is the gentle, ongoing practice of noticing when we’ve slipped back into judging ourselves through a non-Autistic lens — holding ourselves to expectations that once created external safety, but at a huge internal cost.

It’s the moment we pause, place a kind arm around our own shoulders, and remember: I am Autistic. Things are different for me.

I talk about how easy it is to default to self-questioning, pushing through, second-guessing, and exhaustion — and how re-remembering helps me return to internal safety, regulation, and trust in my own knowing. I also share a small, everyday example from travelling, where honouring my need for space, order, stimming, and comfort brought me back into balance.

This episode is for anyone in that tender post-discovery phase — where knowing hasn’t quite settled into being yet — and where remembering yourself can feel like an intentional act.

If this resonates, you’re not alone. And if you forget sometimes, that’s part of the process too.

Thanks for listening.

A special thanks to Doerte Meyer for the intro jingle and toAbigail Ward for producing the podcast.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Unlearning Autism to hear more guest conversations and my shorter My Autistic Musings each week. If this episode resonated, please share it with someone who might also love to hear it.

In this episode, Christine sits and chats with Laura Crowley an Autistic and award-winning advocate with over 25 years of experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and families.

Laura shares her late-identification story after decades of working in autism services, the myths that kept her hidden, and the deep relief of finally recognising herself. Her work is grounded in lived experience as well as professional expertise, and she is deeply passionate about promoting neuroaffirmative practice, challenging outdated myths, and creating environments where Autistic people can thrive authentically.

Laura’s honesty and openness shine through as we talk about both the struggles and the beauty of the Autistic experience.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Unlearning Autism to hear more guest conversations and my shorter My Autistic Musings each week. If this episode resonated, please share it with someone who might also love to hear it.

About Laura:

Laura Crowley is an Autistic autism consultant, additional needs sleep consultant, and award-winning advocate with over 25 years’ experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and families. A late-identified Autistic woman and parent to an Autistic child, Laura’s work is grounded in both lived experience and professional expertise. She is passionate about promoting neuroaffirmative practice, challenging outdated myths, and creating environments where Autistic people can thrive authentically. Through her consultancy, training, and advocacy, Laura focuses on truth, inclusion, empathy, and equity; helping families, schools, and professionals understand that different is not less, it is human diversity to be embraced.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_crowley_connect/

Website: www.lauracrowleyconnect.com

🎧 listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / christinedoyle.ie
Many thanks to Doerte Meyer for composing and performing the intro jingle and to Abigail Ward for producing the podcast.

You can connect with Christine on Instagram @christinedoyle. Visit www.christinedoyle.ie for further information on Christine’s group late-identification support, Wild Women Community and to enquire about 1:1 post-identification companion work.