It’s Not Just You: The NeuroKind Podcast

Signs of Autism in Girls & Women: Social Struggles, Masking, Burnout, and Late Diagnosis

In this episode of It’s Not Just You, Hannah McLaughlin and Dr Dominique explore the signs of autism in girls and women — not just what autism looks like from the outside, but what it feels like on the inside. We talk about why autistic girls are so often missed, how masking and social performance can hide distress, and why many women grow up feeling “different” without knowing why. This conversation explores: * Autism in girls and women * Late diagnosis and missed diagnosis * Masking, camouflaging and social exhaustion * Special interests that fly under the radar * Friendship, boundaries and social confusion * Interoception, alexithymia and emotional intensity * The “good girl” and “problem child” presentations * Burnout, anxiety and the cost of performing * Why understanding your neurotype can change everything If you’ve ever felt like you were performing your way through life, or wondered why everything seemed harder than it looked, this episode is for you. It’s Not Just You is a NeuroKind podcast hosted by Dr Dominique Hannah and Hannah McLaughlin.

Autistic Burnout in Women: Masking, Camouflaging & the Cost of the Patriarchy

In this episode of It’s Not Just You, Hannah and Dr Dominique talk about masking, autistic burnout, and the impossible expectations placed on women. They explore masking, or camouflaging, as a survival strategy many neurodivergent women develop to stay safe and accepted, and unpack the heavy cost it can have on identity, energy, and wellbeing. They also dive into autistic burnout: what it is, how it differs from depression, what it feels like in everyday life, and why recovery requires rest, self-awareness, and permission to step back without shame. Along the way, they share personal experiences, practical warning signs, and the different ways they each try to avoid reaching full burnout. More broadly, this episode looks at how patriarchy shapes women’s lives through pressure, performance, and impossible standards, and why so many women are exhausted. It’s a validating, honest conversation about rest, identity, feminism, and learning to meet yourself with more compassion.

What Is Neurodiversity? (And Why Autism & ADHD Were Missed in Women)

What is neurodiversity — really? And why were so many women missed? In this episode of It’s Not Just You, we break down what neurodiversity actually means, how our understanding has shifted from the medical model to the neurodiversity paradigm, and why autism and ADHD in women have historically been overlooked. We explore the difference between neurodiversity vs neurodivergence, and what living in a neurodivergent brain can actually feel like — from sensory overwhelm and executive dysfunction to masking, burnout, and social exhaustion. We also unpack: • Why early autism research was based on male presentations • How this led to missed and misdiagnosed women • The concept of masking and camouflaging (and its psychological cost) • Common misdiagnoses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders • Why many women are only now being diagnosed in their 30s and 40s • The shift toward a social model of disability • How diagnosis can be reframed as understanding — not deficit This episode is for anyone who has ever felt: “Why does everything feel harder for me?” “Why do I burn out when others don’t?” “Why do I feel like I’m performing just to keep up?” If that’s you — this conversation may change how you see yourself. Because as always: it’s not just you.

Autism in Women: Signs, Masking & Late Diagnosis - an interview with Dr Dom

Autism in women often goes unnoticed. These are the real signs of autism in girls and late-diagnosed women, including masking, burnout, and why so many are missed. For everyone who's been called too much, not enough, too loud, too quiet, too weird or too different - this is for you. In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, our autistic diagnoses — and the story behind NeuroKind. Hannah shares her experience of late diagnosis, while Dr Dominique Hannah reflects on her own journey from being labelled as a child to becoming a psychiatrist — and finally understanding her neurodivergence decades later. We talk about what it means to grow up misunderstood, the impact of language and diagnosis, masking, burnout, and the moment everything finally makes sense. This is a conversation about relief, identity, and the power of understanding your brain — and your child’s — through a new lens. It’s not just you. Welcome home 💚