Adulting with Autism

What happens when the explanations you were given about your body, your health, and your childhood no longer make sense?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Jordyn Hope, they/she, a survivor expert, national trainer, consultant, and founder of Flourishing Wildly. Their work brings together lived experience and professional education to help healthcare, mental-health, education, and child-protection teams respond more thoughtfully to complex harm.:not([hidden])~:not([hidden]))]:border-soft bg-soft">response2recovery+1
Jordyn shares their experience of Munchausen by proxy abuse, late autism identification, eating-disorder treatment, medical dismissal, and the difficult process of learning to trust their own perceptions.
We discuss why sensationalized coverage can leave survivors questioning whether their experience "counts," how autistic communication can be misunderstood, and why surviving medical abuse does not mean a person has no genuine illnesses or ongoing support needs. Abuse and real medical conditions can coexist.
We also explore curiosity, compassion, medical records, peer support, and the difference between helping someone understand their experience and telling them what their story must be.
This conversation centers the person harmed—not the spectacle surrounding the harm.
Content note: Discussion of child abuse, medical trauma, eating disorders, institutionalization, and references to methods of abuse. Please listen at a pace that works for you.
In This Episode, We Cover
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What Jordyn means by "survivor expert": lived experience alongside expertise in the field.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Their work through Flourishing Wildly as a trainer, consultant, and peer-support provider.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why they use the term "Munchausen by proxy abuse" to keep attention on harm.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What gets lost when media coverage centers the person causing abuse.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why a survivor's experience does not need to resemble a highly publicized case to matter.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The destabilizing experience of reconsidering childhood explanations about illness.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Jordyn's experience of discovering genuine health needs after being told their symptoms were all psychological.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The role medical records played in their own understanding.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why records can be illuminating and emotionally overwhelming.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How autistic communication and unmet needs were misunderstood in Jordyn's experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The harm of treating requests for support as evidence of manipulation.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Making room for uncertainty instead of forcing an "all real" or "all made up" account.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Responding to symptoms with curiosity rather than immediate disbelief.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The distinction between advocacy for necessary care and concerns about caregiver-caused harm.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why isolated observations are not enough to establish abuse.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Listening privately and accessibly without assuming a young person will understand what has happened to them.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Recognizing that a person repeating a caregiver's explanation does not automatically make them complicit.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Rebuilding self-trust without demanding perfect certainty about every memory.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Grounding practices that fit the individual.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Beginning with support rather than trying to process an entire history at once.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why needing sustained care does not make someone "too much."

About the Guest
Jordyn Hope, they/she, is a national trainer, consultant, survivor advocate, and founder of Flourishing Wildly. Their work focuses on Munchausen by proxy abuse, neurodivergence, chronic illness, patient safety, and harm within systems intended to provide care.:not([hidden])~:not([hidden]))]:border-soft bg-soft">response2recovery+1
Jordyn brings survivor experience to training and consultation for healthcare providers, educators, child-protection professionals, mental-health practitioners, and multidisciplinary teams. Their stated focus is helping organizations build safer, more ethical, and more survivor-centered responses.
In this interview, Jordyn also describes their peer-support role as a "liberation doula": walking alongside people rather than promising to fix them.
Find training, consultation, individual-support information, media work, and contact details at flourishingwildly.com.
Key Takeaways
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Centering the person harmed changes the conversation from sensational storytelling to safety, care, and long-term support.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> One survivor's experience should not become the threshold every other survivor must meet.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Genuine illness and medical abuse are not mutually exclusive.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A person's communication style, support needs, or uncertainty should not automatically be interpreted as dishonesty.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Records may clarify parts of a history without resolving every question or memory.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Support can make room for uncertainty without dismissing distress or supplying an answer on someone else's behalf.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Needing help is not proof of manipulation, failure, or unwillingness to improve.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A useful starting point is finding someone who can listen carefully and help identify appropriate resources.

"You're in graduate school."
"You're in a long-term relationship."
"You can carry a conversation."
Okay—but at what cost?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with Ryn Rising, a queer, trans, neurodivergent counselor and coach who supports adults navigating late autism and ADHD identification, burnout, masking, identity, and relationships. Their practice offers counseling for Oregon residents and coaching for clients worldwide.
Ryn shares how burnout during graduate school led them to seek an autism assessment and reconsider an earlier bipolar diagnosis. We explore why being able to perform, achieve, or connect socially does not reveal how much effort that performance requires.
Ryn also introduces GRAVY: Gentleness, Rest and recovery, Accommodations, Vital needs, and Your joy. It is their personal framework for bringing more compassion, practical support, and recovery into a life where work, finances, and caregiving cannot simply disappear.
We talk about small changes, rebuilding self-trust, welcoming a client's "no," different processing needs in relationships, and Ryn's experience of moving abroad.
This conversation is for anyone who has finally found language for their experience—and is now asking, "How do I build a life that actually makes room for me?"
Content note: Discussion of mental-health misdiagnosis, medical harm, identity-related stress, and political concerns.
In This Episode, We Cover
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Ryn's experience of burnout in high school and graduate school.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Moving from understimulation and extra commitments into overload.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why they sought an autism assessment after an earlier diagnosis they describe as incorrect.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How late identification brought clarity and closure.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> High masking and the hidden cost of appearing capable.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why academic success and relationships do not tell the whole story of someone's support needs.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Exploring gendered expectations without reducing trans and nonbinary people to assumptions.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What self-erasure can look like in everyday decisions.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Rebuilding self-trust after years of overriding discomfort.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Accepting real constraints while identifying demands that can change.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The five parts of Ryn's GRAVY framework.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Taking micro-steps when a complete lifestyle overhaul is not possible.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Responding to the inner critic when a small step feels "not enough."

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What lived experience can add to professional support.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why no identity group is a monolith.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Making room for skepticism, disagreement, and refusal in therapy.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How Ryn distinguishes the emphasis of their therapy and coaching work.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Moving to the Netherlands and navigating identity across cultures.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Burnout during major life transitions.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Different processing times in relationships.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Pausing a difficult conversation without abandoning it.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Making room for joy after late-identification grief.

The GRAVY Framework
Ryn describes GRAVY as their own organizing framework, informed by approaches they use in therapy and coaching. It is not presented here as a separately validated treatment protocol.
:not([hidden])~:not([hidden]))]:border-soft">  

:not([hidden])~:not([hidden]))]:border-soft bg-raised"> Letter Meaning Focus in the conversation G Gentleness Self-compassion, perfectionism, internalized ableism, and the inner critic R Rest and recovery Sleep, restorative rest, sensory recovery, and reducing demands A Accommodations Accessible routines, executive-function supports, sensory needs, and unmasking when safe V Vital needs Nutrition, hydration, and movement Y Your joy Special interests, play, connection, pleasure, and enjoyment

About the Guest
Ryn Rising, they/them, is a queer, trans, neurodivergent counselor and coach whose work focuses on late identification, burnout, masking exhaustion, identity exploration, life transitions, and relationships. Their approach combines professional training with lived experience and emphasizes collaboration, compassion, curiosity, and practical support.:not([hidden])~:not([hidden]))]:border-soft bg-soft">innerrising+1
Ryn's practice, Inner Rising Counseling and Coaching, offers online counseling for Oregon residents and coaching worldwide.
In this interview, they also discuss their move to the Netherlands and their planned podcast, The Human Therapist Rising, which they describe as a project about the humans behind therapeutic work.
Resources:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Inner Rising Counseling and Coaching.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Ryn's professional profile.psychologytoday

Publishing note: The interview names an earlier website, innerrisingwellness.com. The current site found for their practice is innerrising.nl.
Key Takeaways
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Being able to do something does not reveal its emotional, sensory, or recovery cost.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Late identification can bring relief while also opening new questions about identity and daily life.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Self-trust can develop through noticing needs and responding to them in manageable ways.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Small changes deserve attention without being presented as a substitute for adequate resources or systemic support.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Joy belongs in a conversation about recovery—not only productivity and symptom management.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A client's disagreement is useful information, not automatically resistance.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Shared lived experience can support understanding without making two people's experiences identical.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Relationship conversations can make room for different processing needs without forcing an immediate agreement.

What does helpful therapy look like when the goal is not simply more eye contact, fewer autistic traits, or appearing more comfortable than you actually feel?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with autistic psychotherapist and author Sean Inderbitzen about feeling stuck, rumination, body awareness, connection, and the importance of having a real voice in your own care.
Sean introduces the approach he calls applied neural exercises: practices that invite curiosity and nonjudgmental attention to bodily experience. We discuss his use of polyvagal theory as a therapeutic framework, while exploring a broader question: what does this particular person want help with, and how will we know whether the support is working?
We also talk about masking in context, sensory environments, basic needs, and why an approach that helps one person may not fit another. During the conversation, I demonstrate the movement I use while interviewing—and we notice what happens when I pay attention to how it feels.
One of the most useful questions from the episode is one you can bring to a prospective therapist:
"How do you respond when a client tells you that you're wrong?"
Because support should include room to disagree, correct a misunderstanding, change direction, and say when something is not helping.
Content note: This conversation includes grief, trauma, and brief discussion of suicidal thoughts and a potentially distressing clinical example.
In This Episode, We Cover
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sean's experience as an autistic psychotherapist and author.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why he wishes autism had been discussed more openly earlier in his life.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The personal vulnerability involved in writing about his own experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What he means by "neural exercises."

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Flexibility and connection as individualized goals—not universal demands.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Looking at wellbeing across a person's relationship with themselves, close relationships, wider social life, and life overall.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why the context of masking matters to the person making that choice.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sean's explanation of polyvagal theory and how he applies it in therapy.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Exploring both internal distress and external conditions rather than assuming one explanation.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Food, sleep, shelter, sensory needs, and readiness for therapeutic work.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Approaching body awareness gradually when it feels difficult or overwhelming.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Stimming and movement as possible resources for noticing comfort, relaxation, or joy.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> April's standing-and-swiveling interview setup.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Discussing rumination as an experience someone wants help with—not simply as a diagnostic label.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Feedback-informed treatment and asking whether sessions address the client's priorities.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What happens when a therapist's interpretation misses the mark.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Apologizing, repairing misunderstandings, and adjusting the work.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Questions to ask a prospective therapist about disagreement and feedback.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Supporting someone's regulation without trying to manage every aspect of their experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Using workbook exercises selectively while recognizing the role of their wider context.

About the Guest
Sean Inderbitzen is an autistic psychotherapist and author who writes for W. W. Norton about autism and applications of polyvagal theory. In this interview, he discusses Neural Exercises for Autism, his earlier work, and how personal experience has informed his approach to therapy.
His discussion emphasizes curiosity, the therapeutic relationship, client feedback, and exploring what supports a person's wellbeing in their own circumstances. He describes applied neural exercises as tools for bringing mindful attention to bodily experience and exploring flexibility and connection.
Sean directs listeners to his books through major retailers and to Instagram and LinkedIn to follow his work or ask questions. Search his name as Sean Inderbitzen; confirm exact profile links before adding them to the published show notes.
Key Takeaways
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Progress should relate to the person's own goals—not automatically to appearing less autistic.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A supportive therapeutic relationship leaves room for correction and disagreement.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Body-awareness practices should be approached with attention to comfort, choice, and pacing.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Movement someone already enjoys can be a starting point for noticing what feels helpful.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sensory conditions and basic needs belong in conversations about distress.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A therapist's personal experience is not a substitute for understanding the client's experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Repair includes acknowledging when an interpretation was invalidating and changing course.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Tools are possibilities to explore—not promises that every person will respond the same way

 
Connect with Gary Coulton
Continue the conversation about neurodivergence, self-understanding, and everyday wisdom:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The Positive Echo on Substack — Gary's weekly essays on making wiser decisions a little more often.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Gary on LinkedIn — Writing and conversations about wisdom, neurodivergence, clarity, and purpose.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Gary's author website — His background, memoir, and reader reflections.

Gary's Books
Wisdomize: See Clearly. Decide Wisely. Live Fully.
"A self-help book for people who hate being told what to do."
Gary describes Wisdomize as a concise, practical guide for reflective adults who want to think more clearly, connect with their values, and make decisions with greater purpose and integrity.
Rather than prescribing one correct way to live, the book offers invitations to reflect, notice, and explore your own responses.
Available for preorder from October 12, 2026, according to Gary's supplied promotional information.
Explore or preorder Wisdomize
Reader endorsement supplied by Gary:
"What I really like about Wisdomize is that it's not just another book telling you how to improve yourself. It actually gives you practical tools and exercises to help you reflect, make better decisions and take ownership of your own personal development."
— Owen Williams, Co-Founder of Six Red Squares
 
 

Demons to Champions: How I Fell in Love with My Neurodivergent Maverick Mind
Gary's memoir explores his internal and external worlds: professional achievement, feeling different, self-criticism, relationships, and learning to understand his neurodivergent mind. He describes it as a book for misfits and left-field thinkers—and for the people who love, work with, or lead them.garycoulton.co
Explore Demons to Champions
A reader's reflection:
"A compelling read, a beautifully written book which made me laugh and cry."
— Reader review featured on Gary's author website.garycoulton.co
 
 

Updated Episode Description Closing
Continue exploring the ideas from this conversation through Gary's memoir, Demons to Champions: How I Fell in Love with My Neurodivergent Maverick Mind, and his practical guide, Wisdomize: See Clearly. Decide Wisely. Live Fully.
For weekly reflections on making wiser decisions, visit The Positive Echo on Substack. Direct links to Gary's books, website, and LinkedIn are in the show notes.
 
You do not need another voice telling you everything you should be doing.
Gary Coulton's Wisdomize takes a different approach: practical reflection, everyday noticing, and questions that help you explore what matters to you.
His memoir, Demons to Champions, shares the personal journey behind that work—from self-criticism toward a kinder relationship with his neurodivergent mind.
📖 Wisdomize: https://mybook.to/wisdomize
📖 Demons to Champions: https://mybook.to/demonstochampions
✍️ The Positive Echo: https://garycoulton.substack.com/

What does helpful therapy look like when the goal is not simply more eye contact, fewer autistic traits, or appearing more comfortable than you actually feel?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I talk with autistic psychotherapist and author Sean Inderbitzen about feeling stuck, rumination, body awareness, connection, and the importance of having a real voice in your own care.
Sean introduces the approach he calls applied neural exercises: practices that invite curiosity and nonjudgmental attention to bodily experience. We discuss his use of polyvagal theory as a therapeutic framework, while exploring a broader question: what does this particular person want help with, and how will we know whether the support is working?
We also talk about masking in context, sensory environments, basic needs, and why an approach that helps one person may not fit another. During the conversation, I demonstrate the movement I use while interviewing—and we notice what happens when I pay attention to how it feels.
One of the most useful questions from the episode is one you can bring to a prospective therapist:
"How do you respond when a client tells you that you're wrong?"
Because support should include room to disagree, correct a misunderstanding, change direction, and say when something is not helping.
Content note: This conversation includes grief, trauma, and brief discussion of suicidal thoughts and a potentially distressing clinical example.
In This Episode, We Cover
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sean's experience as an autistic psychotherapist and author.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why he wishes autism had been discussed more openly earlier in his life.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The personal vulnerability involved in writing about his own experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What he means by "neural exercises."

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Flexibility and connection as individualized goals—not universal demands.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Looking at wellbeing across a person's relationship with themselves, close relationships, wider social life, and life overall.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why the context of masking matters to the person making that choice.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sean's explanation of polyvagal theory and how he applies it in therapy.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Exploring both internal distress and external conditions rather than assuming one explanation.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Food, sleep, shelter, sensory needs, and readiness for therapeutic work.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Approaching body awareness gradually when it feels difficult or overwhelming.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Stimming and movement as possible resources for noticing comfort, relaxation, or joy.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> April's standing-and-swiveling interview setup.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Discussing rumination as an experience someone wants help with—not simply as a diagnostic label.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Feedback-informed treatment and asking whether sessions address the client's priorities.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What happens when a therapist's interpretation misses the mark.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Apologizing, repairing misunderstandings, and adjusting the work.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Questions to ask a prospective therapist about disagreement and feedback.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Supporting someone's regulation without trying to manage every aspect of their experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Using workbook exercises selectively while recognizing the role of their wider context.

About the Guest
Sean Inderbitzen is an autistic psychotherapist and author who writes for W. W. Norton about autism and applications of polyvagal theory. In this interview, he discusses Neural Exercises for Autism, his earlier work, and how personal experience has informed his approach to therapy.
His discussion emphasizes curiosity, the therapeutic relationship, client feedback, and exploring what supports a person's wellbeing in their own circumstances. He describes applied neural exercises as tools for bringing mindful attention to bodily experience and exploring flexibility and connection.
Sean directs listeners to his books through major retailers and to Instagram and LinkedIn to follow his work or ask questions. Search his name as Sean Inderbitzen; confirm exact profile links before adding them to the published show notes.
Key Takeaways
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Progress should relate to the person's own goals—not automatically to appearing less autistic.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A supportive therapeutic relationship leaves room for correction and disagreement.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Body-awareness practices should be approached with attention to comfort, choice, and pacing.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Movement someone already enjoys can be a starting point for noticing what feels helpful.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sensory conditions and basic needs belong in conversations about distress.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A therapist's personal experience is not a substitute for understanding the client's experience.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Repair includes acknowledging when an interpretation was invalidating and changing course.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Tools are possibilities to explore—not promises that every person will respond the same wa

I thought I would spend my career treating patients, become a director of rehab, and eventually retire.
Apparently, life had other plans.
In this solo episode of Adulting with Autism, I'm sharing what I have learned about becoming an entrepreneur while working full-time as an occupational therapist—and why you do not need a business degree or a perfect plan before you explore an idea.
I started this podcast because I was frustrated by the lack of resources for my autistic son as he entered adulthood. I knew the problem I wanted to address. Running a podcast as a business? That part I had to learn.
We're talking about doing too much, trying to be on every platform, buying equipment before you need it, comparing yourself to established creators, setting interview boundaries, and figuring out which services are actually worth paying for.
I also share how I use ChatGPT—yes, her name is Shonda—to organize ideas and support my workflow, along with the deeply unfortunate moment I copied our entire conversation into a professional email.
Including the profanity.
This is not a blueprint for overnight success. It is an honest look at starting small, making mistakes, protecting your capacity, asking questions, and building systems that help you function instead of just making you look productive.
In This Episode, We Cover
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why my original career plan did not include becoming a podcast entrepreneur.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Starting Adulting with Autism to address a need I experienced as a parent.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Learning business skills after launching rather than waiting to know everything.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why publishing a podcast and helping people discover it are different jobs.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Building an episode catalog and improving through practice.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Figuring out where your audience spends time.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Trying Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, blogs—and handmade T-shirts—while working full-time.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How doing too much can turn meaningful work into another obligation.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Starting with available equipment and upgrading within your budget.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Comparing your early-stage project with someone else's established platform.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Rejection, guest outreach, connections, and opportunities that take time.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How I use AI for guest research, interview preparation, organization, and brainstorming.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why AI output still needs review and verification.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The copy-and-paste email mistake I will never forget.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Interview limits, weekend boundaries, and protecting my social battery.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Recognizing that loving the work does not make it cost-free.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Changing systems when they stop working.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Learning about business expenses, cash flow, taxes, contracts, and paid support.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Asking questions and choosing learning methods you can actually use.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Giving yourself permission to build something imperfect.

About the Host
April Ratchford, MS, OT/L, is an autistic occupational therapist, parent of an autistic young adult, and host of Adulting with Autism.
She launched the podcast on January 1, 2024, after struggling to find relevant resources for her son's transition into adulthood. Through interviews and solo episodes, April shares conversations about work, healthcare, relationships, executive function, self-advocacy, community, and everyday adult life.
In this episode, she discusses the business side of that work: building an audience, managing a growing workload, using tools, making financial decisions, and developing more sustainable boundaries while continuing in direct patient care.
Connect:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Website: adultingwithautism.com

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Email: adultingwithautism.podcast@outlook.com

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Social links and direct messages: available through the website.

Key Takeaways
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> You can begin exploring a business idea without knowing every part of business management.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Knowing who you want to serve gives you a useful starting point.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A limited budget is a reason to make deliberate choices—not to buy a professional-looking setup before testing the idea.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Being everywhere can become more work than your capacity allows.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> AI can support a workflow, but reviewing its output remains your responsibility.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Business income and money available for personal spending are not the same thing.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Enjoying your work does not eliminate your need for rest.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Systems can change as your responsibilities, capacity, and business change.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Mistakes can become lessons without becoming a permanent judgment about your ability.

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Starting small and asking questions count as doing the work.