Join us as we chat with Jamie McCleary, the Executive Director of Autism Canada. Throughout this episode, she shares insights on her personal journey as both an autistic professional and a mom to a neurodiverse family while also shedding light on the amazing resources offered by Autism Canada for families & autistic individuals across Canada.

She kicks things off by diving into the challenges of navigating corporate environments while being true to herself. We chat about masking, how it impacts daily life, early/late diagnoses, and the resources Autism Canada offers to support individuals and families across Canada. Jamie’s insights are authentic & valuable, especially for anyone trying to figure out the complexities of autism—whether you’re a parent, a professional, or just someone curious about the experience. So, grab a comfy seat and get ready for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation with Jamie McCleary. This conversation reminds us that representation isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Timestamps:

(01:28) - Welcome

(02:15) - Understanding Masking in Neurodiversity & Autism

(15:24) - Late Diagnoses

(22:56) - Navigating Parenting with Neurodivergent Children

(36:01) - Autism Canada Resources for Families

(44:56) - Community Assistance Program

(59:10) - Living In a World Not Designed For The Neurodiverse

Autism Canada Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Literacy program
• National Support Line for the Autistic and Neurodivergent Community
• Autism Junction
• Funding (by province)
• Community Assistance Program (CAP)
• Publications

****

Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at hello@neurodiversallyspeaking.com