Adulting with Autism

Author: April Ratchford MS OT/L

Adulting with Autism isnt just a podcast its a movement.We give autistic and neurodivergent adults the platform, voice, and validation theyve always deserved. Here, we dont mask. We dont perform. We belong.Every episode brings honest conversations with leaders, advocates, and everyday people who are rewriting what it means to thrive as a neurodivergent adult. We talk life skills, independence, mental health, relationships, careers, and legacy because autistic voices dont just need a seat at the table we are the table.Ranked among Apples Top 200 Podcasts (All Categories), Adulting with Autism is proof that our voices are resonating worldwide.Join us Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays as we move beyond survival, build authentic lives, and create legacies that last.Because autism isnt broken. Its just a different frequency and the world is finally tuning in.  Listen on Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube  Explore all links merch: https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism Want to be a guest or collaborate? Message April on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1708097947800879cbdd654ca Autistic. Authentic. Unapologetic. With over 2 million downloads and listeners worldwide, Adulting with Autism proves our voices belong here.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

Autistic Trauma Healing: DID & Resilience | Dr. Kirsten Harrison
Episode 206
Tuesday, 18 November, 2025

Send us a textAutistic trauma unmasking? Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison (Soul Wise Solutions founder, I, Sean/a co-author) shares: Befriending homeless intersex woman Sean/a (schizophrenia/street survival to empowerment), she explores DID (trauma splitting for protection—body/soul survival), somatic healing ("body keeps the score"), energy vibes (protect via boundaries/allies), and surviving vs. thriving (claim genius pockets, no shame in masking). For autistic/ND folks processing bullying/loss, allies fostering empathy, or anyone tuning into quantum energy/gratitude resets, this convo's your toolkit—small steps build authentic light.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Kirsten's Trauma Journey & Sean/a Meeting 1:46 - Befriending Sean/a: From Streets to Support 4:50 - Complex DID: Trauma Splitting Explained 7:32 - ND Trauma: Masking & Somatic Memory 10:21 - Survival Mechanisms in Autism/Intersex 12:45 - Surviving vs. Thriving: Personal Bubbles 14:39 - Energy Management: Silence/Headphones/Decompression 18:19 - Building New Identity Post-Masking 20:15 - Honoring Meltdowns: Triggers & Self-Forgiveness 22:38 - Starting Personal Journey: Small Steps/Ally Support 24:56 - Authenticity: Claim Your Space Amid Changes 30:39 - Spiritual Energy: Protect Vibes/Quantum Influence 34:21 - Helpers Everywhere: Mr. Rogers Wisdom 37:43 - Gratitude: Daily Reset for All 41:52 - Where to Find Kirsten (Site/Book/Socials)Subscribe on Apple/Spotify for weekly neurodivergent adulting tools—rate/review if insights sparked your unmasking! Resources/book in notes. Squad, share w/ a trauma-navigator (tag 'em below—let's heal together!). Merch: 'Dynamite' tees for energy days (Linktree in notes). #AutisticTraumaHealing #NeurodivergentDID #AdultingWithAutism #BTSNeurodivergent #PodMatchUnmasking autistic trauma? Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison unpacks soul integration: 35+ years in psychology, supporting stepdaughter w/ Smith-Magenis syndrome sparked ND focus; befriending unhoused intersex Sean/a (schizophrenia, 8 years on cardboard—now empowered via GoFundMe/advocacy) inspired I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community. DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder): Childhood trauma splits (behaviors/sensations/emotions/knowledge) for survival—somatic tools (body holds score), spiritual protection (near-death-like out-of-body). Energy for ND: Tune vibes (headphones/silence for decompression, power walks for release), protect via boundaries/allies (quantum non-local influence). Surviving vs. thriving: Claim 'genius pockets' (e.g., Disney for processing), gratitude resets (thank breath/pillows—builds from small wins). For late-dx adults forgiving meltdowns/triggers, parents fostering safety, or allies ending stigma (intersex rights, no non-consensual surgery), Kirsten's 'we all mask—find your light' flips shame to authenticity. From Adulting with Autism podcast: OT-aligned for sensory/energetic regulation, resilience stories, spiritual empathy.Links:Full Episode: Buzzsprout/Apple/Spotify (subscribe!)mfish: Organize. Simplify. WinEco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and lifeFind Your Fierce This Fall: Empowerment Shop now to support the show and join the Alliance—find your new favorite at the link in show notes.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show@adulting_autismadultingwithautism.podcast@outlook.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.