The Autistic Brain in Menopause

What happens when the cognitive strengths you've relied upon your entire life suddenly stop working? In this episode, Sam Galloway (she/her) explores the neurological impact of menopause on the autistic brain. Through personal examples of memory loss, executive dysfunction, shutdowns, meltdowns, speech difficulties and skill regression, she examines how hormonal changes can amplify existing neurodivergent traits and create challenges that extend far beyond typical descriptions of brain fog. Sam discusses autistic burnout, involuntary unmasking, sensory overwhelm, loss of independence, and the fear that accompanies sudden changes in cognition and identity. She also shares some of the strategies, accommodations and treatments that have helped her navigate this difficult period. For many listeners, this episode may provide language for experiences that have previously felt impossible to explain. **Content Warning:** This episode includes frank discussion of mental health crisis and suicidal thoughts, alongside experiences of autistic burnout, medical care, and menopause. Please take care while listening and skip any sections that may be difficult for you. Resources mentioned or relevant: - 📖 How to Write an Autism Adapted Suicide Safety Plan – A call to action in Autistic suicide prevention by Sam Galloway - 📖 Why PMDD Worsens During Neurodivergent Perimenopause Or: Stop the World, I Want to Get Off by Sam Galloway - 🌐 International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) - 🌐 Divergent Menopause community and newsletter - 📖 MENO-D – A rating scale to detect depression in menopause - 🌿 Australasian Menopause Society - 📚 Autistic Menopause – A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and those Supporting Them by Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Gamble-Turner (2026) - 📄 Resources for autistic (/neurodivergent) women and people with ovaries at menopause – Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner, Bournemouth University - 📱 Balance – menopause symptom tracking and information from menopause specialist Dr. Louise Newson Continue the conversation: Find Sam at *Divergent Menopause* for essays, research updates, practical reflections, and stories from the neurodivergent menopause community. Every article is free to read. Paid subscriptions operate as a patron model and help fund the advocacy, research translation, and community work behind Divergent Menopause. 🌐 https://samgallowayaudhd.substack.com/ ☕ Support Sam's work: https://buymeacoffee.com/samgalloway Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. 🎧 *Autistic Menopause* is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.