Embracing Neurodiversity: Insights from the International Women's Day Panel on Late Diagnosis
From Dear Dyslexic Podcast by Shae Wissell
April 1, 2026 · 1h 20m
About this episode
The episode features a panel discussion on the experiences of late diagnosis in neurodivergent individuals and its impact on identity and career.
Recorded as a podcast for International Women’s Day, this panel brings together Nicci Richman, Dr Kim Gordon, and Dr Annalisa Contos, to share experiences of late diagnosis (ADHD, autism, dyslexia/dysgraphia) and how it reshaped identity, self-compassion, and career trajectories. The discussion links perimenopause/menopause to reduced capacity to mask, emotional peaks and troughs, and grief over missed support and opportunities. Panelists describe the invisible load of masking, executive-function demands, parenting neurodivergent children, burnout, and workplace penalties for non-linear careers, “cultural fit,” and intersectional bias. They outline practical workplace changes—universal design, clarity, flexible output-focused work, supportive tools (including AI), easier adjustments, and leaders who model disclosure—while noting supports like JobAccess and resources from ADHD Australia.
People in this episode
Guests: Nicci Richman, Dr Annalisa Contos, Dr Kim Gordon
Topics covered
- neurodiversity
- late diagnosis
- ADHD
- autism
- dyslexia
- self-compassion
- career trajectories
- perimenopause
- menopause
- masking
- executive function
- burnout
- workplace changes
Keywords
- International Women’s Day
- support
- JobAccess
- ADHD Australia
- workplace penalties
- cultural fit
- intersectional bias
Mentioned in this episode
Products: AI tools, supportive tools
Books & works: Embracing Neurodiversity: Insights
Places: Australia
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