Quietly Autistic at Last
Quietly Autistic at Last
A podcast for the women who were always "a little different"—but never had the words for why.
Hosted by Dr. Allison Sucamele, a woman diagnosed with autism later in life, this podcast explores the quiet, often-overlooked experiences of neurodivergent women who spent years—sometimes decades—masked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed.
Each episode is a gentle unraveling of what it means to be quietly autistic at last: the grief of being missed, the relief of being named, the power of self-recognition, and the beauty of finally feeling seen.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or just beginning to wonder… this space is for you. Tender truths, lived stories, unmasking, and self-compassion—one quiet conversation at a time.
Quietly Autistic at Last
# 16 - Your Spoons Are Telling the Truth
Spoon Theory is often explained as a simple metaphor for limited energy, but for autistic adults, especially late-identified autistic women, it’s far more than that.
In this episode of Quietly Autistic at Last, we slow Spoon Theory down and return it to the body. We explore how spoons actually live in autistic nervous systems through sensory processing, masking, emotional regulation, burnout, predictability, and self-trust.
Through an autistic lens, we talk about why exhaustion is so often mistaken for personal failure, how masking quietly burns through spoons, why sleep alone doesn’t always restore energy, and how autistic burnout is not caused by poor planning, but by long-term nervous-system overload in environments not built for us.
This episode gently shifts the question from “How many spoons do I have today?” to “What does my nervous system need before I spend the ones I have?”
Because having fewer spoons is not a character flaw.
It’s your body telling the truth.
🔗 Related Resources & Further Listening / Reading
- Christine Miserandino – The Spoon Theory
https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ - Dr. Devon Price – Unmasking Autism
https://www.devonpricephd.com/unmasking-autism - Dr. Dora Raymaker – Research on Autistic Burnout
https://autisticburnout.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ - Dr. Damian Milton – Double Empathy & Autistic Scholarship
https://damianmilton.co.uk/ - Dr. Stephen Porges – Polyvagal Theory
https://www.stephenporges.com/ - Quietly Autistic at Last Podcast
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🧠 Gentle Disclaimer & Mental Health Resources
This episode reflects lived autistic experience and current psychological research, but it is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. Autism is a spectrum, and experiences of energy, burnout, and regulation vary widely among individuals.
If this conversation brings up distress, overwhelm, or feelings of crisis, please reach out for support.
In the United States, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential support 24/7.
If you are outside the U.S., please check your local crisis resources or emergency services.
You deserve care, understanding, and support.
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