Adults navigating an autism diagnosis
With increasing public awareness and understanding of autism, it’s natural for many adults to discover they may fit the criteria for a diagnosis. For many of these adults newly interested in learning more, it can be difficult to identify the right next steps for their individual needs. This presentation is intended to help people evaluate whether a formal autism evaluation is right for them.
Lindsey Myers is a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism and their families, as a person with Autism and a parent of a child with Autism. She is a Digital Transformation consultant with 15 years of experience in finance, consulting, and operations from companies such as KPMG and Instacart. She is deeply committed to growing the resources necessary to advance WAA’s mission in our community.
Mash (pronounced "Mosh") Makhlyagina is the CEO and founder of Neuro Support Services and a professional education consultant.
From Mash: “As a Ukrainian immigrant, ESOL student, and neurodivergent student, school was clearly not made for my brain as a kid. I excelled because of the support of my community. After earning my Master’s in Teaching, I became a Special Education teacher in 2012. Within a year, I was coaching other teachers! I earned my ELL certificate shortly after. I have taught and coached both elementary and middle school General Education and Special Education. I’ve worked with amazing high schoolers in an alternative education setting. It has been a journey of love and learning across New York and Washington State.”
Ryan Dal Degan is a white, cis man, living with ADHD, OCD, and autism. He is currently a student in the Master of Social Work program at Seattle University and a Social Work Intern at Sound Behavioral Health, where he conducts behavioral health counseling for elementary school students. He is passionate about advocating for accessibility for neurodivergent people and raising awareness about the importance of properly targeted mental health treatment. He aims to become a clinical social worker working with clients who have ADHD and autism.
Caren Gussoff Sumption is a Romani/Jewish science fiction writer and gender-based violence advocacy professional. She was diagnosed with autism at age 48 after a chance conversation with a clinician she was working alongside professionally. Like many autists who are female-identified and appear as “high-functioning,” she’d been misdiagnosed all her life. She’s a proud cat lady, a furious knitter, and an enthusiastic-but-atrocious singer. You can learn more at www.spitkitten.com
