Interview 11: Autism, Neurodiversity and Belonging, Part I

A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Edmunds

10.20.25 | Skills | 51 min

Autism has become more visible than ever, but with that visibility comes evolving conversations about identity, diagnosis, and belonging. In this episode of Spill Your Guts, Dr. Sarah Edmunds, Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina and Director of the COLAB (Community Oriented Lab for Autism and Behavioral Interventions), joins us to explore the intersection of clinical understanding and lived experience.

This is Part I of a two-week series, where we begin with the research perspective before turning to lived experiences in next week’s episode.

We discuss how society’s view of autism is shifting from a strictly medical model toward a more nuanced, identity-centered perspective. Dr. Edmunds breaks down myths about autism, highlights strengths alongside challenges, and dives into topics like masking, access to care, and what it means to create environments where neurodivergent people can thrive.

Whether you’re autistic, love someone who is, or simply want to better understand neurodiversity, this conversation will leave you with deeper insight — and hope for a more neuro-inclusive future.

Connect with Dr. Edmunds and the COLAB: https://www.uofsc-colab.com/people.html

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.