Autism is most often framed through childhood narratives, leaving adult experience underrepresented and poorly understood. In this episode of The William Gomes Podcast, William focuses on what it means to be autistic in adulthood, particularly for those whose understanding of themselves comes later in life.
The episode offers a reflective and grounded exploration of how late diagnosis can reshape personal history. Years of unanswered questions, self-doubt, and adaptation are revisited with clarity rather than regret. William considers how recognising autism in adulthood often brings both relief and grief, allowing individuals to reinterpret their past while learning to navigate the present with greater honesty.
Masking, Work and Emotional Labour
A significant part of the discussion centres on masking and the sustained effort many autistic adults make to appear acceptable in social and professional spaces. Workplace expectations are examined with care, highlighting how environments designed around neurotypical norms can place an invisible strain on autistic employees.
Rather than framing these challenges as individual shortcomings, the episode draws attention to systemic pressures that reward conformity over wellbeing. Executive function, communication, and productivity are discussed as areas where autistic adults often develop resourceful strategies, even while facing misunderstanding or exclusion.
Relationships, Burnout and Self-Advocacy
William also reflects on relationships, both personal and professional, acknowledging the emotional labour involved in maintaining connection while managing sensory, cognitive, and social demands. Burnout is addressed as a predictable outcome of prolonged masking and unmet needs, not as a failure of resilience.
The episode closes with a thoughtful consideration of self-advocacy. Speaking up for accommodation, boundaries, and respect is presented not as confrontation, but as an essential step towards autonomy and sustainability in adult life.
Throughout, autism in adulthood is treated with dignity and seriousness. The episode honours the insight, resilience, and self-knowledge that many autistic adults develop, often in the absence of adequate support or recognition.
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