Hi, Im Nat, an autistic woman (receiving my diagnosis aged 45!) with many hats… I am a mother of 3 boys, (collectively, there are diagnoses in our family, of autism, Tourette syndrome, ADHD, anxiety, coeliac disease, Ehlers Danlos (joint hypermobility), autonomic dysfunction (POTS) and fibromyalgia)… a university student (BA Psychology (Social Sci) & Grad Cert Autism Studies); home educator; nature-lover; science technician; and enthusiastic psychology researcher; who is passionate about empowering, supporting and connecting autistic women and supporting ND families in the community.

I have dabbled in many areas of employment over the past 27 years, including retail, property manager assistant, receptionist, lab tech in various fields, including pharmaceutical, environmental, food and education; plus, in research & development as a food technology assistant… my main employment specialty is as a laboratory technician, both in the public and private sector.

I was previously the WA state representative for the Infant Massage Association of Australia (formerly the I.A.I.M. Australia Inc.) as a certified infant massage facilitator (and owner of Idibidi Kids). But it has been through studying a BA Psychology degree at Edith Cowan University over the last 10 years that has really shaped my journey in such a positive way, together with raising my neurodivergent family.

Since discovering I am autistic, and spending years researching autism, especially in women and girls, I am a true believer that knowledge is power. Once we, as a community, have that knowledge, we have the power to change the autism narrative, but we must remain open-minded; to break-down the negative autism stereotypes, and the language we use when we talk about autism… through a shared understanding, by hearing the voices of autistic women, and through understanding autism from a neurodiverse lens.

YES…. autistic women do exist!

I created the Au-some Women support group as a way for autistic women to connect with each other; to laugh and cry together, maybe even sing and dance together… heck, why not?! Most of all, as a safe, non-judgemental place for our voices to be heard, so we can learn, connect and grow together on our autistic journeys of self-discovery!

Now is the time to connect in an even more disconnected world… and for our autistic voices to be heard.

Autistic women are a minority group; we are either, or a combination of, being underdiagnosed, or misdiagnosed, or just plain misunderstood in the community. The statistics tell the story… at a rate of approx. 3: 1 (male: female ratio).

The more I share autistic awareness and understanding in the community (generally when I am about and about, at the shops, chatting to a neighbour, talking to the postie or a friend… talking about autism)… the minute I say “I am autistic” people act surprised… or say nothing. Or say “you dont look autistic”… (or sometimes don’t have a chance to say anything because I start stating facts haha).

Its time to start talking about autism in a curious and non-judgemental way; to discover through listening to autistic voices in our community, what exactly is it like for an individual to identify as autistic?

“If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person” quote- Dr Stephen Shore (autistic professor)

Nat x

Memberships:

Autism Association of W.A.

Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (Inc.)

People With disabilities W.A. (PWdWA Inc.)

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Australian Centre for Disability Law

Developmental Disability WA (DDWA)

Hello!