The Late Discovered Club is a social impact community and podcast, on a mission to give a voice to Late Discovered autistic women and marginalised groups.
The podcast brings you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and giving the next generation visibility.
Hosted by Catherine Asta and edited by Caty Ava.
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In this episode, Catherine is joined by Wendy Minhinnett - a lived experience leader who co-created the Rollercoaster Parent Carer Support Project. Her work has been recognised with a Positive Practice in Mental Health Award and a *BEM in 2022 for services to parents of children with mental health needs. After over a decade of heart-led lived experience work, Wendy experienced a complete burnout that coincided with menopause and a difficult workplace experience. It was during this midlife unrave...
Vicky Chapman, a TV editor, recounts her late autism diagnosis prompted by a partner's observation and a sensory reaction to a blender. She details the challenges of self-discovery, the bravery of workplace disclosure through her unique "Vicky Guide," and her active role as a neurodiversity champion advocating for inclusive environments and support systems. The episode highlights how understanding one's neurotype transforms personal well-being and professional thriving.
“Creativity has always been my life force. Even when I didn’t know I was autistic, it was how I survived.” From being sent out of chemistry class for caricaturing her teacher, to being piled on by hundreds of angry Nicola Sturgeon fans online, Lorna Miller has sharpened her pencil and become one of the UK’s most successful editorial cartoonists - known for her satirical, political, and deeply personal work. The first woman to have a cartoonist role created for her in Private Eye, Lorna has also ...
In this episode, Catherine is joined by Julie, a Canadian based writer, artist, and creator of “The Autistic Mum” on Substack. Julie shares her powerful late discovery story, receiving an autism diagnosis at age 44 after a decade of questioning and reflection sparked by her son’s own diagnosis. Together, they explore the emotional terrain of late discovery, generational autism, sensory differences, and the impact of masking and burnout. Julie speaks candidly about the challenges of navigating he...
Joining Catherine is Trudi Murray - an artist, illustrator, writer, and a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and proud granny. Diagnosed autistic at 47, Trudi now sees her lifelong creative work as a map of self-discovery, a visual language she was speaking long before she had the words to understand it. In this episode, Trudi reflects on how her art carried the essence of her autistic identity long before discovery and diagnosis. From paintings that unknowingly explored the concept of mask...
Joining Catherine in S4 Episode 6 is Louise Fox is a former GBR Elite triathlete (representing GBR 5 times at World and European championships), self-employed web developer, environmentalist, and Nordic-obsessed adventurer. Louise shares her late autism discovery and her journey from competitive sports to motherhood, from quitting her job in her early 30’s to follow her Pro athlete dream, and the challenges of balancing personal identity with family, to how endurance - both in sport and life has...
Joining us in S4 Episode 5 is Dr Catriona Stewart OBE MCPP where we explore Catriona’s own late autism discovery, her lifetime of learning, and her lifetime of work - it’s a deeply emotional episode. Catriona founded autistic-led charity SWAN: Scottish Women’s Autism Network in 2012, on completion of her PhD research into the experiences of autistic girls, to provide peer support, build on the knowledge-base, and raise levels of understanding. Her work is focused on community engagement, partici...
In this enlightening episode, comedian Pierre Novellie shares his unique journey of discovering he is autistic after a heckler's comment, leading to a deeper understanding of himself. He delves into the complexities of autistic humor, challenges common stereotypes, and highlights the difficulties of navigating a healthcare system often misinformed about neurodiversity. The conversation also explores the lasting impact of memory and the resilience required to manage sensory differences and communication styles.
Catherine's much awaited and anticipated book 'Rediscovered' was published 21st February 2025. In this special episode, Catherine is interviewed by S4 guest (and friend) Dr Helen Lawal about the book. We talk everything from Mountains, Metaphors, Monotropism, Masking, Manifestos for Change - and so much more. *This recording is from the live online launch which took place on 24th February 2025. The book is out now in paperback, audio and Ebook Buy Catherine's NEW Book 'Still Living' published ...
This powerful episode features Tristan Kluibenschadl, a former senior police officer, discussing his late autism diagnosis and the devastating impact of losing his autistic son, Stefan, to suicide after relentless bullying. Out of this profound grief, Tristan and his wife Emma founded STAK Life to provide crucial support, training, and advocacy for neurodivergent young people and their families, aiming to shift societal narratives and prevent similar tragedies. The conversation also explores the challenges of self-disclosure in a professional setting and the strength derived from autistic traits in driving impactful change.
Joining Catherine & Pete in this episode of our new season is Dominique Bowler-Brown. CW: We discuss sexual abuse and trauma She is a thirty-five-year-old from South London, home-schooling mother of two and a half children (pregnant at time of recording). Dominique studied at BRIT performing arts college and then Goldsmiths University of London, and over the past several years she has worked in television commercials, acting and modelling and has written five novels (“Energy” and “Generation...
In this episode, Dr. Helen Lawal, a Black African-White British medical doctor and nutritionist, publicly discloses her late diagnosis of autistic-ADHD. She discusses how becoming a mother triggered her self-discovery and the struggles of navigating a pathologized diagnostic process. Alongside co-hosts Catherine and Pete, Helen explores the challenges of self-disclosure, the importance of advocating for neurodivergent needs in all aspects of life, and her mission to make healthcare more inclusive.
Season 4 is almost here!! We have a brand new season coming Friday 17th January 2025 with a new co-host joining Catherine in some of the episodes, author Pete Wharmby. About Pete After being diagnosed as autistic at the age of 34 in 2017, Pete has immersed himself in working to improve autistic awareness, acceptance and making the world a more suitable place for the neurodivergent community. He has spoken at a wide range of events and conferences since 2020 in the UK and in Europe and North Amer...
In our final episode of Season 3 Catherine talks (unscripted!) to Andrea Anderson about 'Rediscovered Realities' because the reality is that accepting you are autistic is just the very beginning. Catherine & Andrea talk about: - Getting caught up in the 'should's'- Painful lessons when it comes to living in the shadows of burnout.- Somatic Self-Compassion.- Doing it our way.- And the importance of safety and belonging. S4 is coming in January 2025 with a new co-host joining Catherine, author...
In this poignant episode, 69-year-old Sue, diagnosed autistic at 68, unpacks her late discovery journey. She reflects on a lifetime of masking, recurring burnout often misdiagnosed as anxiety, and the immense grief over her son's accidental overdose, which prompted her to seek a diagnosis. Sue, who spent her career working with autistic children, shares her pioneering humanistic approach to education and her future plans to advocate for older autistic adults in care settings through a unique "self-portrait" document, ensuring their sensory needs are understood.
Dr. Dionna Williams is an Autistic and first-generation academic and martial artist. Dionna received their MSc and PhD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. While Dionna amassed academic and professional accomplishments they struggled with what she once considered to be a collection of seemingly unrelated quirks and social discomfort - aware of these differences, they became less of a hindrance to interacting with people...
In this special bonus episode Catherine's daughter Kristina, who is 7 and autistic takes over as host to interview her autistic idol, The Geek Girl AKA Holly Smale on all things autism and everything geek girl. About Holly Holly's debut children's novel, GEEK GIRL, became the No.1 Young Adult title in the UK and won the Waterstones YA Book Prize, selling 3.4 million books in 30 languages. She is the co-creator, writer and exec producer of the GEEK GIRL TV show, which launched on Netflix worldwid...
Christine. A. Jenkins joins Catherine in this episode to talk about her autistic self-discovery in 2008 and life since her eventual diagnosis in 2009. Christine has been an Autistic advocate for many years, most recently around issues related to late-in-life diagnosis, gender bias, and autistic ageing. She contributed a chapter to the anthology Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism (2018), and has presented solo and on panels in Canada and the UK. Christine has been a peer reviewer and n...
Sophie Cartledge joins Catherine in this episode to talk about her autism discovery via an ADHD diagnosis in perimenopause at the age of 44. After researching why so many women were being diagnosed ADHD in perimenopause, for her work and simultaneously really starting to struggle with a number of things in her own life, she put two and two together and sought a diagnosis. Looking back now, she can see how the years of not knowing, have taken their toll both mentally and physically, leading her t...
This is a memorial episode, to honor the life and legacy of Mary’s 90 year old late discovered autistic mum who sadly passed away in April 2023. Mary wanted to record an episode about how the 'mystery' that was the spikeyness of her profile gave Mary the motivation to turn detective on why they were both so misunderstood and misrepresented. Mary was eventually formally diagnosed autistic (age 51 in 2017). Already in the most humongous burnout and unable to continue working, Mary became a carer f...
In this S3 Bonus Episode S1 guest Laura Kerbey joins Catherine to talk about her new book ‘The Teens Guide to PDA’ - which published 21st June 2024 with JKP and is illustrated by Sunday Times Best Selling author Eliza Fricker. Buy the Book Connect with Catherine Connect with Catherine Buy Catherine's NEW Book 'Still Living' published April 2026 Buy Catherine's Book 'Rediscovered' Visit Catherine's website Contact Ca...
Dr Rebecca (Becci) Jackson is also known as The Quirky Brain Coach. Becci is an autistic and ADHD positive psychology coach who works with ADHD/autistic adults on zest, self-regulation and executive functions. Having been misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder and depression, Becci discovered her neurodivergence towards the start of the pandemic. Once she got the user manual to her brain, she turned her interest and training in coaching into specifically focusing on coaching for people like her. ...
Lauren Fernandez shares her journey as a Black, late-diagnosed autistic woman, detailing how understimulation in school, dismissal of her diagnosis by loved ones, and systemic failures in healthcare led to significant struggles. She recounts her traumatic experience of being sectioned and the lack of neuro-affirming care during pregnancy, which fueled her advocacy work with Mask Off CIC and her role in training mental health professionals.
Catherine speaks to Faye Twinn about her late autistic discovery. Faye discovered she was autistic in her late 30’s and this discovery changed her entire outlook on life itself. She spent her teens in Devon and it was there within her secondary school that she was identified as ‘dyslexic’. Struggling to fit in, she quickly self identified as arty and found that within the creative subjects she could strive. She went on to study Fine Art at Falmouth University. Later retaking her English and Math...
Catherine speaks to Anita Patel about her late autistic discovery. Anita received a late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD in 2023, after recovering from breast cancer and also burnout, through many years of masking. Anita’s life has totally changed since her late discovery and she is keen to raise awareness about the role intersectionality can also play, when seeking answers and accessing support. Being a South Asian woman and having a family who do not ‘fit the mould’, she knows first-hand about th...
Catherine speaks to Sofia Akbar about her late autistic discovery. Sofia is a late diagnosed AuDHD single mum and secondary maths teacher. Her self discovery journey started from the trials of her oldest son's autism diagnosis, impacted by the trauma of (TW) domestic abuse and racial discrimination. She was recognised for her Support for Inclusive Learning by Scottish Asian Minority Ethnic Educators in 2022 and also won Small Business Award from Scottish Asian and Business Awards 2023 for her pr...
Catherine speaks to Vanessa D’Souza AKA The Autistic Chef about her late autistic discovery. Vanessa is a MasterChef UK 2023 Semi-Finalist and National Autistic Society Celebrity Ambassador who runs a neuroaffirming instagram page where she shares sensory friendly feeding tips and recipes in order to make cooking accessible to everyone. Connect with Catherine Buy Catherine's NEW Book 'Still Living' published April 2026 Buy Catherine's Book 'Rediscovered' Visit Catherine'...
In this insightful episode, Pete Wharmby shares his journey of being diagnosed with autism at 34, triggered by the overwhelming experience of new parenthood and subsequent burnout. He critiques the lack of accurate autism representation and prevalent societal myths, emphasizing the validity of self-identification and the unique struggles faced by autistic fathers. Pete also details how he transformed his understanding of his neurodivergence into a successful career as an author and speaker, advocating for better support and broader acceptance of the diverse autistic experience.
We're back for another season, and first up in Season 3 is Dr Emma Svanberg - an award winning Clinical Psychologist, author of Parenting For Humans (Vermilion, 2 March 2023) founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC . Emma also facilitates a parenting community on Facebook called The Village – A Parenting Community For Humans. We explore how being undiagnosed and undiscovered for four decades has impacted Emma's mental health and physical health, the space s...
Helen Hillman, a late-discovered autistic woman, discusses the profound impact of therapy on her self-discovery, leading to her autism diagnosis at 28 after years of poor mental health and debilitating sensory motor OCD. She describes how adapted therapy helped her reframe challenges, leading to a career change and new strategies for managing her neurodivergent experience. Helen also touches upon the physical and mental health comorbidities often associated with autism and her aspirations to advocate for accessible autistic-informed therapy by sharing her story.
