148 [S11 E3] Unexpected autism: art journalling, mental health and reframing eating distress

Helen Shaddock was formally identified as autistic two years ago, after spending over 25 years in the mental health system. During the pandemic Helen was readmitted to mental health services for eating disorders, before receiving an unexpected autism diagnosis.

Now 39, Helen is a multidisciplinary artist and PhD researcher. She lives in Newcastle in the UK, where her work as a multidisciplinary artist focuses on themes related to her lived experience.

In 2024 she launched artED, a digital space to share experiences and stories about eating distress, neurodivergence and mental health through art.

artED evolved out of the graphic-art diaries that she began making at the start of the pandemic to stay connected to family and friends, and to keep herself mentally stimulated and motivated to take a walk, watch a film, listen to a podcast, or make a drawing.

Helen has recently begun a practice-based PhD which will explore the role of storytelling in processing the experience and management of eating distress and its link to neurodivergence.

She hopes that by being open about her experiences she can support others in similar situations and raise awareness and understanding.

In our conversation Helen shares how she was completely taken by surprise when a therapist suggested she might be autistic; the impact of her autistic traits on her eating disorder, and how she's been able to reframe what had been seen as eating disorder 'behaviours' in the light of her autism discovery; the significance of her daily journals, and the impact they're having.

Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they've learned along the way.

I'm Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I've been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020.

I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they'll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

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