Unmasking Autism: Sol Smith on Identity, Healing & Finding Your Voice

Hey there, lovely listener! 😊 In today’s episode of Adulting with Autism, we’re joined by Sol Smith—autistic author, former college professor, viral TikTok educator, and the voice behind the much-anticipated book, The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery (launching April 22, 2025!).

Sol shares his late-in-life autism diagnosis, the burnout spiral that followed, and the powerful road to healing, community-building, and radical self-acceptance. Whether you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical, Sol’s insights on unmasking, coaching, and creating identity after diagnosis are honest, practical, and deeply empowering.

🧠 In this episode, we explore:

• What happens after the autism diagnosis

• How to shut down negative self-talk and rumination

• Coaching autistic adults through shame and imposter syndrome

• Finding your purpose, passions, and peace in a world that’s not built for your brain

• Creating safe communities, one story at a time

📘 Grab Sol’s book:🛒 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery on Amazon (affiliate)📢 FTC Disclosure: As an affiliate, we may earn a small commission if you purchase through the link—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting neurodivergent voices!

🌐 Connect with Sol:📍 www.ProfessorSol.com🎵 TikTok: @ProfessorSol📸 Instagram: @TheProfessorSol📘 Join his coaching community and get tools for unmasking and thriving

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💬 COMMENT: What part of Sol’s story resonated most with your own journey?🔔 FOLLOW for more real-life convos with autistic authors, therapists, and community-builders

#SolSmith #AutisticSelfDiscovery #AutismDiagnosisAdult #NeurodivergentTikTok #LateDiagnosisAutism #AutismBurnoutRecovery #ProfessorSol #AutismBook2025 #AdultingWithAutismPodcast #UnmaskingAutism #NeurodivergentHealing #SponsorReadyPodcast #PodMatch

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Chapters

• 0:28 Introduction to Sol's Journey
• 1:40 The Comfort of Defined Roles
• 4:20 The Road to Diagnosis
• 8:37 Misconceptions of Autism
• 12:23 Understanding Rumination
• 19:40 Writing the Guide
• 21:57 Challenges in Therapy
• 27:01 Coaching Autistic Individuals
• 33:10 Building Community Support
• 39:05 The Need for Education
• 44:06 The Power of Special Interests
• 46:12 Conclusion and Next Steps