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The Question That Changed How She Saw Her Whole Life
Description
What a Late Autism Diagnosis Can Reveal About ADHD, School, and Self-Understanding
I sat down with Carly Faye to talk about what happens when a late autism diagnosis suddenly puts years of questions into focus.
In this conversation, I explore Carly’s path from educator to functional nutrition practitioner and coach, and how her ADHD and recent autism diagnosis changed the way she sees her past, her work, and herself. We talk about the students she felt drawn to, the school experiences that didn’t quite fit, and the quiet signs that made more sense only later.
What stayed with me most is how often neurodivergent people are misunderstood, especially when they look “fine” from the outside. Carly shares what it meant to realize she had support needs all along, why certain advice never fit, and how that awareness is shaping the way she now helps others. There’s also a powerful part of this conversation about grief, relief, identity, and learning to stop treating difference like something that needs fixing.
About the Guest
Carly Faye is a former educator, functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, and coach. She supports clients through nutrition, emotional processing, and nervous system-aware care, with a strong understanding of neurodivergence and inclusion.
Timestamps
0:02 - I welcome Carly Faye and we begin with her background in education
1:09 - What her classroom looked like for students who learned differently
5:04 - Carly shares her ADHD diagnosis and recent autism diagnosis
11:00 - Why tests, language, and “right answers” can feel so complicated
20:17 - What led her to explore autism at 41
24:16 - What the diagnosis process was really like
26:14 - Relief, grief, and making sense of a late diagnosis
39:15 - How understanding her neurodivergence changed the way she supports clients
43:38 - What schools still miss about neurodivergent kids
52:46 - What Carly wants teachers, coaches, and helpers to know if they’re quietly wondering about themselves
Carlys Links:
https://www.instagram.com/carlyinfocus
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure why certain things seem harder than they “should,” I think this episode will stay with you. Listen in, and see what clicks for you.
#AutismDiagnosis #ADHD #Neurodivergent #LateDiagnosed #Inclusion
Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
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🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: Reid@AspergersStudio.com
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