About this episode

Abs Lee shares her journey of self-acceptance and the impact of her autism diagnosis on her life.

Abs Lee is a carer, gardener and cleaner from Suffolk in the UK. Now 54, she was formally identified as autistic early in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown. She's a parent to an AuDHD, queer adult human, and cares for her elderly mother. Abs has moved between multiple jobs throughout her life so far, full of potential but often finding it difficult to stay in roles due to sensory issues and lack of the right support. Now self employed, working part time due to health issues and caring responsibilities, she says that her life "has been shaped by persistence, lived experience and learning how to stay." These days, she "measures success quietly: staying well, staying sober, keeping my home tidy, moving my body - and choosing life, again and again." Abs has a Bachelor's degree in Art and is a Buddhist, currently training towards Ordination. After often feeling like a failure, her Buddhist practice and prioritising self care are helping her reframe her life and move towards self acceptance. Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they've learned along the way…

People in this episode

Host: Amy Richards

Guest: Abs Lee

Topics covered

• autism
• self acceptance
• Buddhism
• self care
• personal journey
• mental health

Keywords

• autistic women
• self love
• AuDHD
• Buddhist practice
• mental health
• personal growth

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Squarepeg

Places: Suffolk

More episodes of The Squarepeg Podcast

• 157 [S11 E12] Talking to strangers: podcasting my way into a late autism discovery · July 18, 2026 · 1h 7m
• 155 [S11 E10] Unravelling: masking, personality adaptation and meeting my real self · July 4, 2026 · 1h 12m
• 154 [S11 E9] Finding a really cool rock: figuring out life and work without an 'autistic starter pack' · June 13, 2026 · 1h 14m

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