{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks ","title":"Autism, ADHD & Unmasking at Work: Aisling Smith on Neurodiversity Inclusion - Episode 120","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3637,"description":"“I’ve masked so much. I’m a chameleon. I didn’t even know who I was anymore.”In this episode, Aisling Smith explains how unmasking, self-knowledge, and better workplace design can transform both careers and confidence.Aisling Smith is an award-winning neurodiversity trainer, international speaker, and inclusion consultant. Late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, she works with organizations worldwide to create neuro-inclusive workplaces and empower neurodivergent employees to thrive without masking.Episode Highlights00:02:27 — Discovering neurodivergence through motherhood Aisling shares how her son’s autism diagnosis led her to recognize her own ADHD and autism. What began as advocacy for her child became a profound personal awakening.00:07:37 — Masking and losing your sense of self She describes lifelong masking as becoming a “chameleon” and believing this was normal. The realization reframed decades of exhaustion and emotional strain.00:10:57 — When labels become tools, not limits Aisling explains how labels only limit us if we inherit society’s biases. Reclaiming them as self-knowledge creates freedom rather than restriction.00:16:29 — Leaving corporate training to work authentically After diagnosis, she realized she could no longer train leadership through a neurotypical lens. This moment sparked her shift into neurodiversity inclusion work.00:22:00 — Why neurodivergent employees burn out Workplaces are designed for 80% of people, leaving others to mask and suffer. Burnout is not failure, but a predictable outcome of poor systems.00:25:30 — The ‘volcanic’ moment at work Meltdowns are never about one incident. Aisling explains how small ignored stressors build until the final breaking point.00:27:30 — Empowerment beats accommodation True inclusion isn’t about special treatment. It’s about empowering everyone to work in ways that suit their nervous system and strengths.00:33:30 — Productivity doesn’t have one solution She challenges productivity dogma, arguing that...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QZFZQrtBSDhon7MItX8a5mQvkXQ5KKmI2fe6dyhM72o/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}