Neurodiversity Celebration Week - Identity, Late Diagnosis & Untangling Who You Really Are
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Episode Description
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Identity, Late Diagnosis & Untangling Who You Really Are
Episode Summary:
In this episode of our Neurodiversity Celebration Week mini-series, Sarah and Cassie dive into the complex journey of identity—especially for those who are late-diagnosed as neurodivergent. They explore the grief, self-discovery, and unmasking process that comes with understanding ADHD, Autism, and Rejection Sensitivity later in life.
Together, they discuss the impact of childhood conditioning, workplace challenges, and societal labels, and how unlearning old narratives is key to embracing who you truly are. They also share practical ways to reconnect with your natural state of being—beyond roles, labels, and external expectations.
Topics Discussed:
- The identity shift that comes with late diagnosis
- Grief & lost opportunities – what could have been different?
- The masks we wear to fit into corporate & social expectations
- Workplace struggles & the lack of psychological safety for neurodivergent employees
- How Rejection Sensitivity & Demand Avoidance shape our behaviour
- The fight, flight, freeze, fawn responses in neurodivergent brains
- Why knowing your needs & advocating for yourself is essential
- Moving beyond "what you do" and into "who you be"
Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome back & introducing today’s topic
03:15 - The impact of late diagnosis: “Who am I, really?”
08:30 - The grief of lost opportunities & unmasking in adulthood
14:10 - Why the corporate world doesn’t always feel safe for neurodivergent employees
19:50 - Workplace burnout, masking, & rejection sensitivity
24:40 - The power of knowing your needs & advocating for adjustments
30:15 - Reframing identity: Beyond labels & job titles
35:00 - How to collect evidence of who you are at your best
40:25 - Closing reflections & what’s coming next
Key Quotes:
"You start questioning who you are. It’s like an untangling—who am I beneath all the labels and expectations?"
"If I had known sooner, if I had realised… I wouldn’t have worn so many layers of masks just to feel accepted."
"In the workplace, I didn’t feel safe enough to ask for help—asking for support made you look like a weak link."
"Neurodivergent brains experience the world differently—our fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses are wired for deeper sensitivity."
"What you do is not who you are. Who you be is what matters."
Links & Resources:
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