{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Spicy Brain","title":"Elena Sullivan: GROWING UP WITH AN AUTISTIC SISTER | Siblings, Late Diagnosis & Family","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4500,"description":"In this very special episode of Spicy Brain, host Lara Sullivan is joined by her sister and best friend Elena for an honest, emotional conversation about growing up with an undiagnosed autistic sibling and what changed when the diagnosis finally came.\nElena has been by Lara’s side through everything. She shared her friends, stood up to the bullies, picked up on what Lara couldn’t say out loud and was there in the room on diagnosis day. Together they look back at their childhood through a new lens, from the early signs nobody recognised to moving schools seven times, Lara’s mental health crisis, and the relief and guilt the whole family felt when the answer was finally autism.\nThe episode explores:\n 🌶️ The childhood signs of autism that only make sense in hindsight\n 🌶️ What it’s like being the sibling of an undiagnosed autistic child\n 🌶️ Bullying, school anxiety and having someone to speak up for you\n 🌶️ The weight of responsibility siblings can carry, and why it isn’t all on them\n 🌶️ How to support a loved one through a mental health crisis\n 🌶️ Diagnosis day and the mix of relief and guilt a family can feel\n 🌶️ Why a diagnosis is a learning journey for the whole family\n 🌶️ How having an autistic sister shapes Elena as a mum\n 🌶️ Advice for anyone with an autistic sibling\nThis episode is a thank you to the siblings, parents and loved ones who show up for neurodivergent people, often without anyone noticing.\nTune in for a heartfelt chat full of laughs, tears and a lot of sister love.\nTimestamps\n00:00:00 Introducing Elena, Lara’s Sister\n00:03:34 Growing Up as Sisters\n00:08:33 Did Anyone Know About Autism Back Then?\n00:09:20 Childhood Signs of Autism in Hindsight\n00:12:31 Communication and Sensory Needs as a Child\n00:16:29 A Sibling Bond Like No Other\n00:20:15 The People Who Protected Lara\n00:22:48 Moving Schools Seven Times\n00:25:07 Blurred Childhood Memories and School Anxiety\n00:26:49 Bullying and Standing Up for Your Sibling\n00:30:56 Sharing Friends with an...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/FqVo1ZyaIJlqKnwK3ztPTNicKUAgNLZ8P3d-lph6Td8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yMWMz/OGVkZTMyNjRiYWFm/ZjhmNTAzYjg0MDdj/MzM5Yi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}