7. S1, Ep7: Friendships, masking and getting counselling

Becca Kerl was diagnosed at 38 - after a lifetime of wondering why she didn’t seem to quite fit into the world - and three of her children are on the spectrum too.  She has spent years supporting the autistic community and helping others advocate for services. She recently completed a Masters degree in Counselling and is in the process of starting a counselling practice in Las Vegas, USA.  She’s also a musician and a semi professional poker player, and she met her biological father for the first time on TV. In this conversation we talk about: The differences in trying to get an autism diagnosis for kids of different sexes; Neurotypical people's perceptions of autism - and navigating friendships with neurotypical friends Masking, routines and decision fatigue What it was like meeting her father on television And what effective counselling for neurodivergent people looks like. 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: Becca’s website: http://www.youruniquemind.com/ (site under construction when this episode was published) Becca’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Your-Unique-Mind-108559494362144  Becca meets her dad on the Today Show: https://www.today.com/video/watch-father-daughters-emotional-first-meeting-42075715670  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: http://squarepeg.community/