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Late Diagnosis Club

Late Diagnosis Club

By: Autistic Culture Podcast Network
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The Late Diagnosis Club is a podcast by and for adults who found they were neurodivergent later-in-life. Hosted by Story Steward Dr. Angela Kingdon, this show features honest conversations with neurodivergent guests navigating the identity shock of late diagnosis or self-identification. Each episode explores neurodivergent traits through a cultural lens, debunks stereotypes, and offers solidarity for those processing family dynamics, unmasking, and reclaiming long-buried SPINs. Whether you’re self-identified or medically diagnosed, this club has been saving you a seat and helps you feel at home in your neurodivergent self.


🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • How Nyck Stopped Forcing a Life That Didn’t Fit After a Late Autism Diagnosis

    How Nyck Stopped Forcing a Life That Didn’t Fit After a Late Autism Diagnosis
    Jun 12 2026
    In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Nyck Walsh, writer, therapist, and advocate, who shares their journey to identifying as Autistic and ADHD later in life.Nyck reflects on growing up feeling fundamentally different — navigating school, relationships, and work without the language to understand why things felt harder than they seemed for others. Like many late-identified adults, they developed ways to cope, adapt, and push through, often at the expense of their own well-being.It wasn’t until adulthood, through a combination of burnout, reflection, and exposure to neurodivergent experiences, that Nyck began to recognise themselves, leading to a deeper understanding of their needs, identity, and way of being.This is a conversation about unlearning, self-acceptance, and choosing a different way forward.🪑 AttendeesChair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocateGuest: Nyck Walsh — Writer, therapist, and AuDHD advocateYou: The Listener!🗒️ Meeting AgendaOpening remarks from the ChairMember introduction: Lifelong differenceDiscussion: Masking and adaptationBurnout and turning pointsLate identification journeySelf-trust and unlearningIdentity and authenticityBuilding a life that fitsKey learningsClub announcements🧾 Minutes from the Meeting1️⃣ Opening RemarksAngela introduces Nyck Walsh and reflects on the shared experience of reaching adulthood before having the language to understand oneself.2️⃣ Member Introduction: Nyck’s StoryNyck describes a lifelong sense of being different, not quite fitting into expected social, academic, or professional norms.Without a framework for Autism or ADHD, they developed strategies to cope, often masking their natural responses and pushing themselves to meet external expectations.Over time, this led to burnout and a growing awareness that something deeper needed to be understood.Through reflection and exposure to neurodivergent experiences, Nyck began to recognise themselves, leading to a process of late identification and self-understanding.3️⃣ Discussion HighlightsLifelong difference: Feeling out of sync with others from an early ageMasking: Adapting behaviour to meet expectationsInternal pressure: Pushing through despite difficultyBurnout: The cost of long-term maskingLate identification: Recognition through reflection and communitySelf-trust: Learning to listen to internal needUnlearning: Letting go of harmful narrativesIdentity shift: Moving toward authenticityEnvironment fit: Designing life around needsCoaching perspective: Supporting others through similar journeys4️⃣ Key LearningsYou can feel different long before you understand why.Masking can delay recognition but comes at a cost.Burnout is often a turning point toward self-understanding.Late identification can open the door to self-trust.Unlearning is as important as learning.Building a life that fits is a process, not a moment.📌 Notice BoardNeurodivergent Somatics in Therapy: an anti-oppressive model for whole person care - Nyck’s book - For book orders in Europe and AsiaNyck’s book - For book orders in the USThe discount code is WN357 and offers a 30% discount on both the print and ebook when ordered through our site. nyckwalsh.comNyck Walsh Counselling and Training Centre on FacebookNyck Walsh on InstagramADHD 2.0 and VASTKinetic Cognitive Style (KCS) term for ADHD📣 Club Announcements🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions💜 There is a small charge — but no one is turned away for lack of funds.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    53 mins
  • How Katharine Spent 40 Years in Therapy Before Discovering She Was Autistic

    How Katharine Spent 40 Years in Therapy Before Discovering She Was Autistic
    Jun 5 2026
    In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Katharine Gates, a writer, artist, and long-time creative who identified as Autistic and ADHD after a lifetime of questioning herself.Katharine shares how she spent decades feeling like the “odd one out” — academically gifted, outwardly successful, yet constantly struggling with everyday life, relationships, and a persistent sense that something didn’t quite fit.After 40 years of therapy, misdiagnoses, and searching for answers, it was a period of Autistic burnout that finally led her to recognise her neurodivergence and begin to reframe her life.This is a conversation about being misunderstood for decades — and what changes when you finally understand yourself.🪑 AttendeesChair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocateGuest: Katharine Gates — writer, artist, and Autistic + ADHD creatorYou: The Listener!🗒️ Meeting AgendaOpening remarks from the ChairMember introduction: Gifted child, lifelong differenceDiscussion: Masking, achievement, and burnoutPrivilege and hidden accommodationsADHD + Autism dual identificationAlexithymia and emotional processingSpecial interests and bottom-up thinkingFamily patterns and generational neurodivergenceSelf-compassion and dropping shameKey learningsClub announcements🧾 Minutes from the Meeting1️⃣ Opening RemarksAngela introduces Katharine Gates, whose story reflects a common Late Diagnosis Club experience — decades of feeling different, capable, and confused all at once.2️⃣ Member Introduction: Katharine’s StoryKatharine describes herself as an “exceedingly odd child,” growing up academically gifted but struggling to translate that success into everyday life.She became highly skilled at masking — orienting her life around achievement and external validation — while privately questioning why basic things felt so difficult.Over time, this led to cycles of burnout, misdiagnosis, and self-blame, with labels such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and personality disorder used to explain her experiences.It wasn’t until a major burnout in adulthood that Katharine encountered the concept of autistic burnout and began recognising herself in Autistic narratives.3️⃣ Discussion HighlightsGifted but struggling: Academic success masking real challengesHyper masking: Performing competence at the cost of burnoutBurnout trigger: Brain “stopping” rather than emotional collapseTherapist dismissal: Being told she “just wanted to feel special”ADHD alongside Autism: Dual identification later in the processAlexithymia: Difficulty identifying and processing emotionsMasking as performance: Life experienced as “putting on a show”Parenting moment: Struggles with empathy prompting deeper reflectionGenerational patterns: Neurodivergence, trauma, and coping across family linesSpecial interests: Deep dives into systems, patterns, and categorisation4️⃣ Key LearningsYou can be highly capable and still struggle deeply.Masking can delay recognition for decades.Privilege can both hide support needs and meet them.Burnout can be the turning point toward understanding.Emotional processing differences are often overlooked.Special interests can shape identity, career, and meaning.Self-compassion can be one of the most powerful outcomes of a diagnosis.📣 Club Announcements🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions💜 There is a small charge — but no one is turned away for lack of funds.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    56 mins
  • How Dale Missed His Autism Diagnosis Despite Working in Special Education

    How Dale Missed His Autism Diagnosis Despite Working in Special Education
    May 29 2026
    In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Dale Pickles — host of Sendcast and Managing Director of B Squared — for a wide-ranging conversation on late diagnosis, education systems, and what it really means to support neurodivergent people.Dale shares how he grew up surrounded by special education — yet still missed his own Autism and ADHD. It wasn’t until 2023, prompted by supporting his daughter through her diagnosis journey, that everything finally clicked.This is a conversation about understanding yourself, supporting the next generation, and rethinking systems that weren’t built for neurodivergent minds.🪑 AttendeesChair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocateGuest: Dale Pickles — SEND specialist, podcast host, and Managing Director of B SquaredYou: The Listener!🗒️ Meeting AgendaOpening remarks from the ChairMember introduction: Family neurodivergence and missed recognitionLearning social rules and maskingLate diagnosis through parentingNavigating the UK diagnosis systemEducation system challenges and executive function in schoolsSEND reform and needs-led supportAI and neurodivergent support toolsKey learningsClub announcements🧾 Minutes from the Meeting1️⃣ Opening RemarksAngela introduces Dale Pickles and reflects on how someone can grow up immersed in special education and still miss their own neurodivergence.2️⃣ Member Introduction: Dale’s StoryDale grew up in a family deeply connected to special education, yet his own Autism and ADHD were not identified.Although he recognised he was different, he didn’t feel he met diagnostic criteria. Instead, he developed ways to adapt, learning social rules, structuring his environment, and building a life that worked for him.His path to diagnosis came later, prompted by supporting his daughter through her own challenges and recognition.3️⃣ Discussion HighlightsMissed in plain sight: Growing up around SEND without recognising himselfFamily neurodivergence: Traits present across generationsLong-term relationships: Building connections through learned skillsDiagnosis trigger: Supporting his daughter through school strugglesSelf-accommodation: Designing life to reduce frictionLabels vs reality: Diagnosis doesn’t define abilityFail-first system: Support often comes only after crisisSEND reform: Moving toward needs-led supportEarly intervention: Preventing long-term harmExecutive function gap: A missing focus in schoolsAI support: Tools for communication, reflection, and preparationEnvironmental impact: Needs to change depending on context4️⃣ Key LearningsYou can build a life that works without knowing why it works.Late diagnosis often comes through supporting others.Self-accommodation is a powerful but often invisible skill.Diagnosis is personal and not always necessary for everyone.Education systems often require failure before support.Early support can prevent long-term harm and trauma.Executive function is a key area often overlooked in schools.📌 Notice BoardDale’s Podcast - https://thesendcast.com/sendcast-episodes/Dale’s LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/dalepicklesBrain in Hand App📣 Club Announcements🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions💜 There is a small charge — but no one is turned away for lack of funds.🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    59 mins
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