The Late Discovered Club Podcast: Building A Community Of People Diagnosed later In Life With Autism

Most podcasts are an audio experience to be enjoyed as a personal experience between the listeners and the podcaster (s) in their ears.

Then there are those rare and unique podcasts that are more than a sonic experience. In this case, the podcast is one component of a larger community. Often, the podcast is the unifying concept behind the community.

The Late Discovered Club is a social impact community and podcast, on a mission to give a voice to Late Discovered Autistic women and people, provide access to tailored post discovery support, and to help create safer, more autistic inclusive spaces, places and faces.

The podcast brings you real and empowering stories of late discovered autistic women and people from all walks of life - through an intersectional lens - helping to deconstruct stereotypes, and giving the next generation visibility.

The show is hosted by autistic psychotherapist and author Catherine Asta and edited by her daughter, Caty Ava. In Season four, which began in January 2025, Catherine was joined by author Pete Wharmby as a guest co-host.

The podcast is not a niche show. Consider these facts. The podcast has an ever-growing global community currently in over 125 countries, with 150K downloads and was ranked the number one podcast for 'Female Autism' in the world by FeedSpot in 2023/24. The podcast has listeners in over 125 countries. The podcast and organization boasts Over 100 Community Partners and Members supporting their work.

The organization also delivers a free monthly community connection circle online for their members across the world to come together each month and feel a sense of belonging. Indeed, they have developed our own online community space where our members can connect.

What is unique about this podcast and organization is that they have a plan. In fact, it's an "ambitious ten-year plan" to be a global movement that is making evidenced social impact, and changing the narrative and lived experience of autistic women and marginalized groups.

The podcast began in December 2022 and just started its fourth season in January 2025. The podcast deftly handles its episode structure. First, it breaks up its episodes into seasons, with a short break of only a month or two between seasons. That break enables the podcast to release a trailer for the next season, generating renewed enthusiasm for the show and providing loyal and new listeners with a summary of what’s coming up.

One of my favorite episodes was the first episode of season four with Nigerian born and Yorkshire bred, Dr Helen Lawal, who is a Black African-White British, Medical Doctor, Nutritionist, Coach, TV Presenter and "Mum of 2." 

Following her own late discovery as Autistic-ADHD, Dr. Lawal is now devoted to using all her expertise and experience to support other ADHD and Autistic people navigate their own health and nutrition challenges. Most recently she joined The National Autism Training Programme as a trainer and this is the first time she has openly identified as being autistic.

Dr. Asta is an excellent interviewer, just as you would expect a psychotherapist to be. The podcast produces excellent sound quality, and smartly, the show re-introduces itself and its goals at the beginning of every episode, which is always a successful strategy.

Creator / host Dr. Catherine Asta graduated with a degree in psychology and sociology and then had a 12+ year career in Local Government Policy and Research,  leading on National Strategy in the NHS. 

In her online bio, Dr. Asta says: "It's fair to say that I've experienced quite a lot in my 40+ years. I’m a late discovered multiply neurodivergent woman (autistic, dyspraxic, and ADHD) who has experienced life, loss, trauma, and adversity."

Dr. Asta continues: "I'm a 2x times breast cancer survivor, too. I was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer in July 2023 and again in the summer of 2024. I’ve gone through months of chemotherapy (losing my hair in the process), surgery, radiotherapy and targeted treatment. I completed my treatment in November 2024 and placed my colorful flag at the top of my breast cancer mountain, just as my first book is about to be published in February 2025."

Dr. Asta notes: "I’ve been a young single parent, and I've also been a parent navigating life with a blended family life. I embarked on motherhood all over again so have children across the age spectrum from seven years old to 23 years old, and I'm navigating new chapters in my life as a 40-something woman."

In 2014, she made the decision to change careers and studied alongside working full-time to qualify as a psychotherapist.

I recommend this show for several obvious reasons. First, it's well done technically, strategically, and is narratively compelling. Second, the podcast takes on a subject not discussed enough and is often shrouded in conspiracy theories, misinformation or ignorance. Third, the show grapples with a particularly heart-breaking subset of the autistic community. Those who were diagnosed "late," typically in adulthood.

Consider this the Lost Generation: Growing Up With Autism Before The "Epidemic."

  People who suffered from their autism being unrecognized, where they were sometimes regarded as willfully nonconformist, disruptive, or emotionally unstable. Some managed to earn stellar grades, while others muddled along academically, sometimes in special education classes, sometimes not. By contrast, in today's world, children would receive their diagnosis much earlier, many times at pre-school age.

Check out The Late Discovered Club. The podcast provides a public service, builds a community of people with similar conditions, and shines light where there was previously only darkness.