This podcast episode unveils the complexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its impact on individuals throughout their lives, focusing on challenges in communication, social interaction, and sensory processing. It emphasizes the need to dispel misconceptions and recognize the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with ASD. The episode explores masking, a behavior where autistic people camouflage their autistic traits to fit in, and its consequences, highlighting the disparities faced by autistic women and girls due to gender expectations and leading to secondary mental health issues. It underscores the importance of addressing this gender gap, recognizing that autism is not a disease but a different way of thinking and interacting with the world.
