What happens when a late diagnosis doesn't just explain your past—it reshapes how you move through the present?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul Cruz sits down with Erica Settino to explore late-identified autism, ADHD (combined type), neuroqueerness, alexithymia, and the ongoing journey of unmasking.
Erica shares the validation and clarity that came with receiving a diagnosis later in life, alongside the grief, reflection, and compassion that emerged for the younger version of herself who navigated the world without support or understanding.
Together, Paul and Erica discuss identity, parenting a neurodivergent child, self-discovery, and what it means to rebuild a relationship with yourself after years of masking and misunderstanding.
The conversation also explores the role of creativity, spirituality, and self-expression in the neurodivergent experience. Erica shares how poetry became a nonlinear container for truth-telling, why nature and animals offer connection and unconditional grace, and how activism can become more sustainable through art, storytelling, and care.
Erica also introduces her forthcoming book, The Autistic Arcana—a neurodivergent approach to tarot, magic, and the Major Arcana that explores self-understanding through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
• Late autism diagnosis and identity discovery
• ADHD (combined type) and neurodivergent experiences
• Neuroqueerness and self-understanding
• Alexithymia and emotional awareness
• Unmasking and healing from years of misunderstanding
• Parenting a neurodivergent child
• Creativity, poetry, and personal expression
• Nature, animals, and belonging
• Sustainable activism and community care
• Tarot, spirituality, and self-reflection as tools for understanding
• The Autistic Arcana and neurodivergent approaches to meaning-making
Why This Conversation Matters
Many late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adults experience a complex mix of validation, grief, relief, and self-discovery.
Erica's story highlights the power of finding language for experiences that once felt confusing or isolating—and the freedom that can come from embracing your authentic self.
If you've ever felt \"too much,\" \"not enough,\" or misunderstood, this conversation offers both language and permission.
Featured Project
The Autistic Arcana (forthcoming)
A neurodivergent approach to tarot, magic, and the Major Arcana that invites readers to explore self-understanding, reflection, and meaning through a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
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#Autism #ADHD #LateDiagnosis #Neuroqueer #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Alexithymia #Unmasking #AutisticAdults #Identity #TheAutisticArcana #EricaSettino #NeurodiversityVoices #Podcast
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