In this episode of Adult Autism: My Autistic World, Matt dives into the fascinating world of special interests- those unique and intense passions that bring so much joy and purpose to many autistic and neurodivergent individuals. He shares some of the special interests that have shaped his life, from ancient civilizations to cults, and his obsession with Tori Amos. He also shares his latest and dominant special interest- neurodivergence, which has consumed his focus for the past two years.

Matt also discusses the struggle of suppressing and hiding special interests for years, feeling pressure to “leave childish things behind,” and the trauma of misdiagnosis and mapping special interests to signs of mania. He reflects on how this suppression and shaming made him feel diminished joy and connection to self. Rediscovering special interests has been a journey of self-acceptance and authenticity for him.

He also highlights the importance of special interests, explaining how these passions provide a sense of purpose, a means of self-expression, and a pathway to mental and emotional well-being.

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In this episode of Adult Autism: My Autistic World, Matt takes a reflective journey through their employment history, shedding light on how undiagnosed autism impacted his career. Despite often being recognized as a strong employee, he frequently experienced burnout, often leaving jobs due to feelings of overwhelm or becoming stuck in issues related to a strong sense of justice. He also discusses how autism contributed to difficulties in managing basic self-care, finances, relationships, and other aspects of life outside of work. Taking classes to become a life coach improved not only his professional abilities but also his home life. Systemization became a key strength, allowing him to excel at work by seeing the path from point A to point B more clearly. These newfound skills also helped him manage his personal life more effectively, leading to better self-care. He touches on the topic of employment disclosure and the process of seeking disability accomodations, highlighting the power of understanding and advocating for one's own needs.

At the end of this episode, Matt discusses his plans for his future and the future of the podcast, including a second season focused on hearing other autistic people's experiences.

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In this episode of Adult Autism:My Autistic World, Matt takes a deep dive into the world of sensory differences experienced by autistic individuals. With a focus on the eight sensory systems—visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive—he explores the complex relationship between sensory overload and sensory-seeking behaviors, known as "stimming." This episode is perfect for those looking to better understand the intricacies of sensory processing in autism and learn about practical coping strategies.

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In this episode of Adult Autism: My Autistic World, Matt tackles the issue of misdiagnosis among undiagnosed autistic individuals, sharing personal experiences and shedding light on why autism can go unrecognized until later in life. This episode is particularly insightful for those navigating their own diagnostic journeys or supporting loved ones who may be experiencing similar struggles.

Matt opens up about the frustration of receiving multiple mental health diagnoses over the years, none of which fully explained the root cause of their challenges. From bipolar disorder to major depressive disorder (MDD) to severe anxiety and disordered eating, these labels seemed accurate on the surface but always felt "just off the mark." This is a common experience among autistic adults who were diagnosed later in life, leaving many stuck in a cycle of ineffective therapies and lingering confusion.

For many adults diagnosed with autism, the path often begins with a series of misdiagnoses. Diagnostic criteria for autism has been updated over time but misinformation has remained a systemic issue in medical and mental health professions. This lack of awareness and outdated practices have left many autistic adults searching for answers. Misdiagnoses of depression, anxiety, or even bipolar disorder are common, and while these conditions may share some overlapping symptoms, they fail to capture the core traits of autism. The emotional impact of living undiagnosed can be profound, leading to trauma and C-PTSD from a lifetime of being misunderstood, labeled as lazy or difficult, and deprived of the accommodations they needed to thrive.

In this episode of Adult Autism: My Autistic World, Matt dives deeper into the nuances of burnout, comparing traditional occupational burnout with Autistic Burnout and Autistic Burnout Syndrome. After receiving questions from listeners following the previous burnout episode, the host provides a more detailed exploration of how autism affects burnout and the additional challenges of being undiagnosed.

He begins by breaking down the similarities and differences between traditional burnout, Autistic Burnout, and Autistic Burnout Syndrome. He highlights how all three types of burnout share common traits, such as fatigue and brain fog, but also discuss the unique challenges posed by each. Additionally, the host shares personal struggles with multiple underlying conditions—like vitamin deficiencies, low testosterone, and sleep apnea—that exacerbate the fatigue and brain fog.

He delves into the neurological differences in autistic individuals that contribute to burnout and also explores the long-term effects of undiagnosed autism, such as the development of C-PTSD from the pressures of living in a world designed for allistic (non-autistic) people.

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the different forms of burnout, with a focus on autism. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how neurodivergent individuals experience stress and fatigue, as well as those looking for strategies to manage burnout and embrace a more authentic life.

In this episode of Adult Autism:My Autistic World, Matt delves into the complex topic of self-diagnosis in autism, exploring its benefits, challenges, and the broader conversations happening within the neurodivergent community. He shares personal experiences and insights, aiming to provide a balanced perspective on this often-debated subject. He addresses the controversy surrounding self-diagnosis, noting that some people view it skeptically or even take offense to it while acknowledging the importance of self-diagnosis as a tool for many in the neurodiverse community, highlighting voices that advocate for its benefits and the potential it has to improve lives. As he explores the pros and cons, he underscores that self-diagnosis can be a valuable and necessary step for many, particularly those who face barriers to accessing an official diagnosis. While it may not be the final step for everyone, self-diagnosis offers access to terminology, community, and resources that can significantly improve lives.