Episode 203: Growing Up Twice After Adult Autism Discovery [featuring Elena Carroll]

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Elena Carroll, an Autistic content creator who’s inspiring many others on her journey of late-diagnosed autism, talk about her story of moving from New Zealand to Toronto and finding her voice as a writer and advocate for neurodivergent communities. This conversation highlights some powerful lessons for mental health professionals, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone passionate about inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unmasking and Self-Discovery is a Lifelong Process: Elena shares her experiences with late autism diagnosis, showing that it’s never too late to understand yourself and make space for authenticity—even if it means returning to and healing parts of your childhood.
2. Accommodations Are Not “Extras”—They’re Essentials: Both Patrick and Elena discuss the importance of embracing sensory tools, routines, and downtime as valid forms of self-care, not signs of weakness or “neediness.”
3. Community & Representation Matter: Finding others who share your experience makes a world of difference. Content creation and open conversation help others feel seen, reduce shame, and normalize diverse neurodivergent journeys.

If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of late-diagnosed autism and want a refreshing, vulnerable perspective on healing and self-acceptance, this episode is for you.

More about Elena:

I'm Elena. I was diagnosed Autistic at 25 after years of struggling with mental health challenges and receiving different diagnoses that didn’t quite fit. I always felt different growing up, but I spent most of my life working hard to appear “normal.” Now, at 29, I’m on a journey to undo more than two decades of masking and finally get to know my true self.

I recently moved from New Zealand to Toronto, Canada, and over the past 18 months, I’ve started creating content focused on neurodivergence and autism. This work has been incredibly healing for me and has helped me connect with others who share similar experiences. I’m also in the process of writing a book about what it’s like to be a late-diagnosed autistic woman, exploring all the complexities and discoveries along the way.

• Instagram: elenacarr0ll 
• TikTok: elena__carroll 
• YouTube: Elena Carroll

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