Today’s episode is a keynote speech delivered for the Indiana School Social Workers Association. In this conversation, we break down the entire landscape of autism, what the research says, what clinicians miss, how comorbidities mask symptoms, and how schools can better identify and affirm autistic youth.

We especially focus on women and BIPOC students who are diagnosed years later than their peers and often misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, OCD, or behavioral issues.

This keynote teaches professionals how to shift from an outdated model to a neurodivergent affirming approach grounded in compassion, curiosity, and science.

Topics covered

Understanding modern autism research

Hidden autistic traits in women and BIPOC youth

Eating disorders, ADHD, OCD hypomobility, and masking

Why misdiagnosis happens

How early intervention actually helps

How to assess autism through a biopsychosocial lens

How to create safe, affirming school environments

Thank you to the Indiana School Social Workers Association for the honor of speaking. Please share this episode with fellow clinicians, educators, and mental health teams supporting neurodivergent students.

To find the INSSWA folks:

https://www.insswa.org/events/fall-conference

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and perhaps find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

2:24 Keynote Talk

1:24:24 Sugested Content

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Don’t forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

ONO Roller

https://onoroller.com?sca_ref=5082016.VIt4Svd8Ng

Bubs Naturals

https://www.bubsnaturals.com/?discount=DSP20

Two Nerds Candle

https://twonerdscandle.com/DSP

Toynk

https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST

#podcast #therapy #psychology #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #autismawareness #actuallyautistic #autism #neurodiversity #selfcare #selflove #anxietyawareness #depressionawareness