116. Derealization and Processing Feelings, with Mary Johnston

Discover what’s possible when you learn to accept yourself.  Mary Johnston is a 21-year-old Autistic Self-Advocate from New Hampshire. She hosts a blog called Autistic Rainbow 15 where she shares LGBTQ+ and disability-friendly tips, as well as information about inclusion and disability rights. A long-time member of our online Global Autism Community, Mary recently joined the moderator team to help ensure our space remains safe and respectful. In today’s conversation, we discuss:  Mary receiving her diagnosis at 12 years old Receiving occupational therapy and speech therapy in school Coping with bullying and how she processes her feelings Her autistic strengths A poem she wrote titled “A Letter to My Autism” Service animals and our shared love for dogs Sensory struggles related to lights, sounds, and close proximity to other people Challenges with finding employment Her dream job Derealization, anxiety, and depression What she likes about being a community moderator for the Global Autism Community Puzzle piece representation  Advice for other autistic women  To learn more about Mary, please visit Autistic Rainbow 15.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey