64. S5, Ep9: Autism and epilepsy, shutdown and dissociation

Aisling Walsh is a queer feminist freelance writer and translator and PhD candidate living in Guatemala City. She is 37 and was diagnosed autistic in December 2021 and is self-diagnosed with ADHD. She was also diagnosed with epilepsy at 23, but now suspects that her seizures might actually be dissociative seizures linked to autistic shutdown. Aisling has spent over seven years working in communications, advocacy and activism with international development organisations, including the UN, in countries including Ireland, Guatemala, Mexico and Bolivia.  Her stories, essays and features have been published in many different publications, including The Irish Times. She is currently working towards a PhD in sociology at the National University of Ireland Galway, where she is researching decolonial and feminist practices of healing justice in Guatemala. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ The impact of having Covid-19 on her sensory issues ➡ Meltdowns, burnout, and managing our energy and productivity without guilt ➡ Finding her tribe - but also navigating toxic work cultures and bullying ➡ Autism, epilepsy and dissociation I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Disclaimer: In this episode Aisling and I talk about her belief that she may have been misdiagnosed with epilepsy. If you would like more information about autism and seizures, I have added some links to the show notes. The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast. Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Aisling's website: www.aislingwrites.net Twitter: @AxliWrites Instagram: Aisling_Writes  Contently: https://aislingwalsh.contently.com  Hannah Gadsby's show, Nanette: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Gadsby:_Nanette  Links to information about autism and epilepsy: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/signs-and-symptoms/epilepsy-and-autism https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/diagnosis/dissociative-seizures-non-epileptic-attack-disorder-nead  https://www.seizure-journal.com/article/S1059-1311(19)30466-2/fulltext#secsect0005 If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Abigail J Moore, Ben Davies, Benita Borchard-Thierbach, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Danielle Warby, Dawn Trevellion, Elizabeth Williams, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jeff Goldman, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Mandy Allen, Pete Burke, Rebecca Kemp, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Swanton, Sioned Wynn, Susan Millington, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Tree Hall, Una Walkenhorst, Vera Cady, Vicki Temple and Victoria Routledge. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast