In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Jason Killian, an engineer, hiking instructor, and long time member of the club, who shares his journey to understanding himself as Autistic in his 40s.

Growing up in a neurodivergent household, Jason was unknowingly accommodated in early childhood. Despite strong academic performance, Jason struggled with social integration, bullying, and later workplace dynamics, experiences that only made sense years later through the lens of Autism.

This is a conversation about understanding your needs, building a life that fits, and what changes when you finally have the right framework.

🪑 Attendees

Chair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocate

Guest: Jason Killian — Engineer, hiking instructor, and Autistic advocate

You: The Listener!

🗒️ Meeting Agenda

Opening remarks from the Chair
Member introduction: Early environment and hidden accommodations
Discussion: School overwhelm and social expectations
IEPs, missed diagnoses, and academic masking
Workplace challenges and burnout
Late identification and diagnosis journey
Self-accommodation and relationships
Hiking, regulation, and sensory experience
Key learnings
Club announcements

🧾 Minutes from the Meeting

1️⃣ Opening Remarks

Angela introduces Jason Killian, a longtime LDC member whose story explores what it means to grow up supported, but not understood, and to find clarity later in life.

2️⃣ Member Introduction: Jason’s Story

Jason grew up in a neurodivergent family where his needs were naturally accommodated — quiet spaces, independence, and room to explore interests.

But once he entered school, sensory overwhelm, social expectations, and group environments became challenging. Without a framework for Autism, these struggles were interpreted as social difficulties rather than unmet needs.

Although he performed well academically, Jason experienced bullying, isolation, and later workplace challenges, particularly around communication, expectations, and social norms.

It wasn’t until adulthood — after years of reflection, therapy, and recognising patterns — that Jason identified as Autistic and sought a formal diagnosis.

3️⃣ Discussion Highlights

Neurodivergent household: Early needs met without formal recognition
School shock: Sensory overwhelm and social confusion in group settings
IEP limitations: Focus on social skills, not sensory or learning needs
Bullying experience: Social differences targeted in adolescence and work
College turning point: Finding acceptance in the queer community
Pandemic reflection: Patterns recognised through shared experiences online
Relationship clarity: Shared neurodivergence improves understanding
Workplace shift: Smaller company enabling better fit and autonomy
Hiking regulation: Nature as a consistent nervous system support
Sensory joy: Smell, sound, and visual richness in outdoor environments

4️⃣ Key Learnings

Support without understanding can still leave gaps.
Academic success does not mean needs are being met.
Late identification often comes through pattern recognition over time.
Self-accommodation is a critical skill for wellbeing.
Relationships can improve with shared understanding and language.
Environment plays a major role in regulation and success.
Special interests can become both careers and lifelines.

📣 Club Announcements

🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.

📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions

💜 There is a small charge — but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

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