Ep 11. Autism in the Workplace with Carla Dereveux

This week on Compassionate Cultures, we’re joined by Carla Devereux, a psychotherapist and leadership development specialist. Drawing on both personal and professional experience, Carla offers a nuanced exploration of autism in adulthood, particularly in the workplace. In this insightful conversation, Carla helps us better understand how autism can present in adults, especially in those who are undiagnosed. She challenges some of the most common myths, explains how masking shows up, particularly in women and shares why behaviours like stimming and palilalia may go unnoticed or misunderstood.

Carla also offers insights into autistic communication styles and how teams can create space for directness without judgement. We discuss what psychological safety means in practical terms for neurodivergent employees, how leaders can support self-regulation without stigma, and why a diagnosis in adulthood can be both daunting and liberating. Whether you're a manager, colleague, or someone navigating neurodiversity yourself, this episode offers compassion, clarity and tangible ways to create more inclusive workplaces. Connect with Carla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-devereux/ Access the Autism Spectrum Quotient by Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of psychology at Cambridge University and head of the Cambridge Autism Research Centre. https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient Listen now to join the conversation. Streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.