Adulting with Autism

Money isn't just numbers—it's shame, anxiety, and chaos for a lot of autistic and ADHD adults.
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L sits down with financial expert and author Al Zdenek, executive chair of CakeClub Inc. and creator of the CakeClub personal finance app, to talk about practical money skills for real people—not just the rich. Al shares how he went from nearly bankrupt to financially free by his late 40s, and breaks down simple, realistic steps neurodivergent young adults can use to get a handle on cash flow without spreadsheets taking over their lives.
They cover what "wealth" really means beyond billionaire fantasies, common money mistakes new earners make (like runaway credit cards, subscriptions, and paying off "good debt" too fast), and why an emergency fund matters more than flexing on social media. Al also explains the basics of managing cash flow as a freelancer or new entrepreneur, separating business and personal money, and what to do if you're already deep in debt and feeling ashamed or stuck.
This episode is especially helpful for autistic and ADHD adults who hate looking at statements, feel like they've already "messed up," or grew up being told not to talk about money.
In this episode, you'll learn:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why wealth is personal—and how to define it for your life, not Elon's

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The most common money traps for Gen Z and new earners (cars, credit, subscriptions)

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The difference between "good" debt and "bad" debt

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why rushing to pay off a mortgage can leave you financially vulnerable

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to start: one card, an emergency fund, and getting that 401(k) match

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Cash-flow basics for freelancers and neurodivergent entrepreneurs

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A simple way to separate business and personal money (without getting overwhelmed)

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What to do if you're already in deep debt, including negotiation, help, and—when necessary—bankruptcy as a reset, not a moral failure

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What "financial freedom" actually looks like beyond just money in the bank

In this solo episode of Adulting with Autism, April shares her personal experience with autistic burnout and the warning signs she missed along the way.
From suddenly losing interest in music and favorite hobbies to driving in silence, chronic exhaustion, nightmares, irritability, and physical pain, burnout didn't arrive with a dramatic announcement. It crept in quietly until her body demanded attention.
April also shares a powerful story from earlier in her career when years of stress, masking, caregiving, overwork, and self-neglect led to a life-threatening health crisis that landed her in the ICU.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Common signs of autistic burnout
• How burnout can look similar to depression
• Why functioning at work doesn't always mean you're okay
• The impact of chronic masking and constant demands
• Small ways to support nervous system recovery
• Why listening to your body's whispers matters before it starts screaming
This episode is not medical advice. It is one autistic adult's lived experience and perspective as an occupational therapist.
Keep Fierce. Keep Focused. Keep Adulting with Autism.

Dating can be confusing for anyone, but when you're autistic, ADHD, or both, it can be even harder to know what's a red flag and what's just awkward first-date behavior.
In this solo episode, April shares ten dating rules she wishes someone had taught her years ago. From dating apps and first dates to excessive texting, alcohol, scammers, love bombing, and why "the representative" is not the real person, this episode is packed with practical advice and hilarious real-life stories.
You'll hear about:
• Why dating apps aren't reality
• How to spot red flags early
• Why time reveals character
• When to tell someone you're autistic
• Why you should never send money to someone you've met online
• What happened when Heather's date stole her car
• The date with nine kids looking for a wife
• The burger-and-bathroom-window escape story
Whether you're dating for the first time, getting back out there, or helping your autistic young adult navigate relationships, this episode will help you approach dating with a little more confidence and a lot more caution.
Keep Fierce. Keep Focused. Keep Adulting.

For many autistic and neurodivergent adults, burnout doesn't start with one bad day—it builds slowly through sleep deprivation, chronic stress, anxiety, and nervous system overload.
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I welcome back Tim Thomas, veteran recovery specialist and founder of Breathwork in Bed, to discuss why so many autistic adults feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode.
Tim shares his personal journey from military deployment in Afghanistan to helping people understand the connection between sleep, stress, loneliness, and nervous system regulation. We discuss practical strategies for improving sleep, reducing overwhelm, managing burnout, and using breathwork as a tool for self-regulation.
Topics include:
✅ Autistic burnout and chronic fatigue
✅ Sleep debt and nervous system overload
✅ Trauma, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion
✅ Why loneliness impacts mental health
✅ Breathwork and self-regulation techniques
✅ Sleep challenges in neurodivergent adults
✅ The connection between energy, recovery, and resilience
✅ Practical strategies for better sleep and reduced stress
Whether you're an autistic adult, ADHD adult, parent, caregiver, or professional supporting neurodivergent individuals, this conversation offers valuable insights into improving sleep, restoring energy, and finding sustainable ways to recover from burnout.
🎙️ Guest: Tim Thomas
📱 Learn more about Breathwork in Bed
🎧 Subscribe to Adulting with Autism for conversations that help autistic young adults, parents, and professionals navigate adulthood with confidence.

What do you do when you're autistic, exhausted, and completely out of emotional bandwidth—with zero fucks left to give?
In this raw solo episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L gets honest about the days when life keeps "life-ing": guests reschedule, kids melt down over school bureaucracy, work drains you, and everything feels like too much at once. She breaks down the lie that life is supposed to feel happy and "high vibe" all the time, and instead offers practical tools for moving through seasons of overwhelm, disappointment, and autistic burnout.
April talks about what to do when your nervous system is fried, why you have to stop taking everything so personally, and how intentional recovery time isn't a luxury for autistic and ADHD adults—it's maintenance. She digs into anger as information, how to find healthy outlets instead of blowing up your relationships, and the difference between temporary shutdowns and giving up on yourself.
In the second half, April shares her own story: failing out of college twice, becoming a nurse, parenting a disabled and autistic child, the death of her mother, divorce, homelessness, health crises, autistic burnout, and watching carefully laid plans (like a dream trip to Seoul) fall apart. Then she connects it to what's possible now: her son's second chance at college, a podcast with millions of downloads, and building a life that still isn't perfect—but is very much not over.
If you've ever felt like life is a dumpster fire and you're too tired to keep going, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why "life should be happy all the time" is a harmful lie

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to cope when you're overwhelmed, overstimulated, and done

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Practical ways to create intentional recovery time without guilt

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to focus on the next task instead of your entire life at once

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why anger is information—and how to channel it safely

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The difference between a temporary shutdown and giving up

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to hold both disappointment and gratitude without gaslighting yourself

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why your story isn't over just because your plans fell apart