Show Notes

Suicide is one of the most urgent—and least discussed—issues affecting the autistic community.

In this powerful episode, Tony Mantor welcomes Dr. Rachel Moseley, autistic researcher, author, and leading expert on autism, mental health, and suicide. Diagnosed with autism at age 28 while pursuing her PhD, Dr. Moseley shares her personal journey and explains why so many autistic individuals—especially women and those diagnosed later in life—struggle with depression, burnout, masking, and suicidal thoughts.

Together, they explore why autistic people face a significantly higher risk of suicide, the emotional cost of camouflaging autistic traits, the lifelong impact of bullying and isolation, and how society can better recognize and support autistic individuals before they reach a crisis.

This conversation is compassionate, honest, and filled with practical insight for autistic individuals, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone wanting to better understand autism and mental health.

In this episode:

• Dr. Rachel Moseley's late autism diagnosis

• Why autistic women are often diagnosed later in life

• The hidden dangers of masking and camouflaging

• Autism, depression, and burnout

• Suicide risk in the autistic community

• Warning signs families should recognize

• The lifelong effects of bullying and isolation

• Puberty, menopause, and mental health challenges

• Why belonging and community matter

• Practical ways to support autistic loved ones

• The importance of acceptance over masking

• Building a society where autistic people can thrive

If this episode is meaningful to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this conversation. Greater awareness can help save lives.

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Show Notes

At just 40 years old, Gemma Inggal never imagined an ordinary weekend would change her life forever. After a boxing class and horseback riding lesson, she suffered a life-threatening stroke that left her facing overwhelming physical and emotional challenges.

In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, host Tony Mantor sits down with Gemma to discuss her remarkable journey from hospital bed to crossing the finish line of the London Marathon.

Together they explore:

• What it was like suffering a stroke at only 40 years old
• The invisible realities of post-stroke fatigue and sensory overload
• Living with anxiety and the fear of another stroke
• Relearning everyday life after brain injury
• Returning to horseback riding and boxing after recovery
• Running the London Marathon against incredible odds
• Supporting fellow stroke and brain injury survivors
• Why invisible disabilities deserve greater understanding
• The power of resilience, determination, and hope
• Why you should never judge someone by what you can—or cannot—see

Gemma's story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't about returning to the person you once were. It's about discovering the strength to become someone even stronger.

Whether you're a stroke survivor, caregiver, healthcare professional, someone living with an invisible disability, or simply searching for hope during difficult times, this conversation will inspire you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Why Not Me?, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who needs encouragement today.

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Show Notes:

What happens when an autism diagnosis changes the direction of your family's life? In this heartfelt episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor welcomes Kelly Jensen, co-host of the Refrigerator Moms podcast, autism advocate, and mother of a 26-year-old autistic son.

Kelly shares the emotional realities of recognizing autism in the early 2000s, navigating years of therapies, advocating through the education system, supporting siblings, and discovering practical tools that made a meaningful difference—including the Zones of Regulation, adaptive communication, music therapy, and sensory supports.

The conversation also explores Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an innovative brain stimulation treatment that Kelly credits with dramatically improving her son's anxiety, communication, independence, and quality of life. She explains how TMS works, who may benefit, current insurance coverage, and why families should stay informed about emerging treatment options.

Kelly also discusses the inspiration behind the Refrigerator Moms podcast, reclaiming a hurtful term from autism's history while providing practical, evidence-based resources for parents navigating similar journeys.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, clinician, educator, autistic adult, or simply someone wanting to better understand autism, this episode offers hope, practical advice, and a reminder that every person's journey is unique.

Topics include:

• Early signs of autism
• Speech delays and communication development
• Parenting through diagnosis
• School advocacy and IEP challenges
• Meltdowns and sensory regulation
• Zones of Regulation explained
• Music therapy and adaptive communication
• Autism and OCD
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• MERT therapy
• Anxiety and autism
• Building independence
• Supporting families
• Refrigerator Moms podcast
• Hope through lived experience

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.