Spectrum Chats: Comparing Experiences of Early vs. Late-Diagnosed Autistic Adults

Join AutismTN for a Spectrum Chat: Comparing Experiences of Early vs. Late-Diagnosed Autistic Adults, an autistic-led panel discussion exploring the experience of early vs late-diagnosis.

When: Thursday, September 4th, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. CT

Autistic people receive diagnoses at many different points in life, and the timing of that diagnosis can shape everything from access to support to how we understand ourselves.
Early-diagnosed Autistic people may have grown up with services or language for their differences, but also with stigma, pathologization, or pressure to conform.
Late-diagnosed Autistic adults often go through life without knowing they are Autistic, navigating challenges without support, and sometimes carrying shame or confusion until diagnosis brings clarity.
While these experiences can be very different, they each hold valuable insight. This Spectrum Chat will bring early- and late-diagnosed Autistic adults into conversation with one another, sharing stories, comparing experiences, and exploring what we can learn from each other.
Together, we’ll discuss identity development, community access, and the lifelong process of self-discovery.

This program is funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.