023 - Interview with Allie Mason: A Diagnosis of Autism While in Graduate School

For All Abilities

English - June 01, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 26.3 MB - ★★★★★ - 12 ratings
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Previous Episode: 022 - Interview with Ron Sandison

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For All Abilities – The Podcast Interview with Allie Mason: A Diagnosis of Autism While in Graduate School

In this episode, I interview Allie Mason. We discuss the challenge of her diagnosis of autism while she was working on a graduate degree. We also talk about how she has navigated school and work with the diagnosis. To connect with Allie, please follow her on LinkedIn (Allie Mason), on Instagram at whensouthmetnorth and on Facebook at Where Allie Writes.

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Please follow me on Instagram @forallabilities, LinkedIn (Betsy Furler) and on Facebook (For All Abilities). Go to our website www.forallabilities.com for information on our software that enables employers to support their employees with ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Differences and Autism.

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Full Transcript from Otter.ai

Betsy Furler 0:03

Hi, everybody, welcome back to for all abilities, the podcast. I am so excited to be here to bring another guest for you to learn about what she's doing in the world. This podcast is all about showing the world the amazing things that people who are near neuro diverse are doing, and why our differences are so important to all of our strengths and our world community. So please welcome Allie Mason. Hey, Allie, thank you for being on the by.

Allie Mason 0:38

No problem. I'm really happy to be here.

Betsy Furler 0:40

Yeah, so why don't you introduce yourself to my my listeners.

Allie Mason 0:47

So yeah, I'm Ali. I'm from England as you'll be able to tell from the accent, and I was recently within the last couple of months diagnosed as autistic whilst I'm studying for a postgraduate To great university.

Betsy Furler 1:02

That's amazing. It's so incredible how many people are now being diagnosed as adults, I think it really points to the fact that we're probably missing a lot of kids who we could be giving more support to when they were younger. So, yeah, so I'd love to hear about what you were like as a little girl.

Allie Mason 1:23

So, I would say that I was academically gifted, but socially challenged as a child.

And I think that's really common for a lot of people who are either diagnosed as autistic as a child or who grow up and end up diagnosed as adults because we have certain subjects or interests that we can really focus on and excel in, and then it will come to talking to the people around you making friends and that kind of stuff. And that's why things get difficult for us.

Betsy Furler 1:58

What were some of your friends favorite things to do when you were a little girl? Like what were your kind of high interest areas.

Allie Mason 2:07

I really, really loved to read. I can remember that the only time I would get in trouble at school is when I was caught reading behind my textbooks. Really? Yeah, it's a really cute but kind of sad way of getting in trouble at school. But yeah, I read so much. I was out of the we had a little school library in my in my primary school. So when I was there up to the age of 11, and I read through that by the time I was halfway through school, so then I was moved on to out of books and started reading books from the adult library in town. So reading was a huge, huge part of my childhood for me.

Betsy Furler 2:49

What kind of what genre do you like?

Allie Mason 2:52

At the time, I really loved fantasy, so I was reading a lot of things like Harry Potter and vampire Knight And anything that had an adventure and a hero or heroine in it, though they would be my go to books.

Betsy Furler 3:08

So what do you like as an adult? Are you still a reader?

Allie Mason 3:11

I'm an avid reader, I really love to read. I've got more into nonfiction as I've got older. So I really like to read about

people who've done amazing things in their lives and just get inspiration from that.

Betsy Furler 3:26

Oh, yeah, I love that too. I'm really I really love mysteries. And I love mysteries as a little girl and continue to love mysteries as an adult. But I've gotten also more and more into the nonfiction and I'm really fascinated by people and how people work in the world. And so yeah, I like I like that too. And so after So, I, you did well in school, and it sounds like you had no behavioral problems. You know, you were just reading so sounds like if that's what you're in trouble for. You probably were pretty well behaved. And did your friend Emily think did they have any concerns about you? Or did they just think you were quirky and, and more, you're cared more about books than you cared about friends?

Allie Mason 4:10

I would definitely say they just thought I was a bit quirky. It's really interesting, actually, because my mom has always worked as a special needs teaching assistant for most of her career. So she was surrounded by young people who had various additional needs all day long, and yet she'd come home and she didn't notice that in me, which, looking back with hindsight, I find really interesting. But they were definitely concerned that I didn't go out to play as much with the other children. And I'd say no, no, I'm gonna stay in my room. I'm gonna finish my book. So that they're grateful that I'm not as bad at that anymore.

Betsy Furler 4:51

Do you have siblings?

Allie Mason 4:53

Yeah, I have a younger brother. His name is Josh and he was always the sports athletic, popular guy at school people were always shocked when they found out we were related.

Betsy Furler 5:06

Oh, that's funny. Totally different personality is a

Allie Mason 5:10

complete opposite.

Betsy Furler 5:13

So after you finished in grade school in high school, did you go on to university?

Allie Mason 5:21

Yes. So I went straight off to college to university to study theology. And I think I heard in a different podcast that you did religion as well.

Betsy Furler 5:31

Yes, my, at my college we were not allowed to declare a minor but my minor would have been religion. I had enough. I had enough credits. I almost had enough credits actually to have a third major in religion. Yeah, I loved it. Those were some of my favorite classes.

Allie Mason 5:48

Absolutely. I loved the three years that I spent studying theology, so I specialized in studying Christianity whilst I was there and I just adored that and then Something that I'd really like to get more into again.

Betsy Furler 6:05

What was your goal for your degree? Were you planning to go on to seminary after that? Or did you or it or was it just your interest?

Allie Mason 6:16

At the time, it was just my interest. It was a case where I finished my college. So my a levels, and I had so many things that I could officiate. So I was really interested in English and history and languages, and I just kind of felt a bit overwhelmed. And I wanted to try something a bit different because I hadn't done Religious Studies at college. I missed it a bit from when I was younger, and I thought, well, I've got too many options. So I'll make it easy for myself and I'll just do this one and it totally paid off. Mm hmm.

Betsy Furler 6:54

So then, when you graduated, with that first degree, so is that Considered is that called a Bachelor's? And yes, yeah, glad. Okay. So it's like it has her. And where did you What did you do after that?

Allie Mason 7:08

So after I graduated, I made a really risky decision to go into teaching. And I say that was a risky decision because with the knowledge that I have now, I would not have made the same, made the same choice, but I went to be a religious studies teacher. So I was teaching for four months in an inner city school, and I come from the rural countryside in England, so I was not prepared for that change of environment. And I really loved working with the kids and I really loved helping them to learn new things, not just about religion, but about themselves as well. That being autistic. There were a lot of things that I struggled with that that didn't match up and that ultimately led me to leave

Betsy Furler 8:00

Oh, okay, interesting. But at the time you didn't you, you were not thinking you had autism at the time, correct?

Allie Mason 8:08

That's correct. Yeah.

Betsy Furler 8:10

Okay. So So what made you decide to go back and go to university? Again?

Allie Mason 8:17

I think I, after I struggled so much teaching and as you say, I didn't know I was autistic at the time, but I could recognize the the problems that I was having. And I thought, well, where in my life have I succeeded before where I didn't encounter these problems. And my thoughts immediately went to the university setting in academia, which is something I have always thankfully done while in and so I thought, well, rather than teach children, I can help them behind the scenes, so to speak, if I go into educational research, so that's the degree that I'm doing at the moment is Educational Research at the University of Oxford, huh?

Betsy Furler 9:00

That's, um, you know that I know here in the United States, it's changed the, the education environment is just rapidly changing because of COVID-19. And so it'll be interesting to see what happens in that field in the very near future. As you know, we have to kind of rethink the way our schools are set up. And so are you going to pursue that? Or are you going to pursue something different?

Allie Mason 9:27

I think I'm going to pursue something different. I think I've learned a lot from my time doing this master's degree and exploring research methods and things like that. And I want to take that and apply it more to writing because another thing that I did as a child, as well as read was write my own stories and my own poems, and that's something that stayed with me throughout my childhood up until now is I'm a big writer, and I think that those research skills are actually really, really helpful when it comes to crafting a good piece of writing.

Betsy Furler 10:06

Right, right. So right now I had read on your LinkedIn and we talked a little bit about it earlier that you're in a screenwriting program. So tell us a little bit about applying for that and what you're doing with that.

Allie Mason 10:21

Yeah, so one of the things that I've really focused on during the lockdown is my writing but also pursuing opportunities to publicize my writing that I necessarily hadn't done before then, and I came across this chance to be part of a screenwriting program. It's a 10 week course with a playwright dawn King. And she leads us in our sessions and she gives us guidance and advice, and we work on our own manual manuscripts as well. And I have to just submit an idea that had for a play, which I did. My idea is centered around an autistic protagonist, funnily enough.

Betsy Furler 11:10

But yeah, I'm excited

Allie Mason 11:11

to see where that goes.

Betsy Furler 11:13

Yeah, that's so exciting. I am really passionate about the accurate just portrayal of all sorts of differences and disabilities and film. And so when I saw that I was like, Oh, that's so cool. I mean, what, what better person for it to come from than someone who actually is autistic, too? Yeah. Write something that is an accurate and respectful portrayal and, and does show the world and the strengths, the strengths and the differences and the struggles and the triumphs. So that's really exciting. I'm so excited for you getting to do that.

Allie Mason 11:55

Thank you. I think you're absolutely right. One of the things that I've found when I've been Exploring autistic representation is that so many of the stories that are written about us are written by people who aren't autistic. And as much as I appreciate that, many of these authors will have done a lot of research before producing these stories, as you say, Who better for it to come from than those of us who are autistic and who think this way and have to live with this experience every single day?

Betsy Furler 12:31

Right? Right. And it's very interesting to me. Like you and some of my previous guests have had so much insight into themselves and and how they feel and move through the world. And how I mean, I think that probably led to your diagnosis as an adult, it was your ability to see insight, you know, what's going on inside yourself, which so many people don't have like, that's really a remarkable skill. And to have that ability and then also to be able to write and get that information out there. I think that's a very, very unique and special skill strength that you have. So I can't wait to hear I can I can't wait to keep in touch and hear what, what that all leads to

Allie Mason 13:19

an absolutely.

Betsy Furler 13:21

So I'm sure people are going to want to connect with you How is the best way for them to do that?

Allie Mason 13:28

So I've recently set up my own Facebook page so you can find me, I'm called where Ali writes on Facebook, and that's where I'm posting links to all of my articles that I'm writing at the moment and I'll post a link to this podcast once it goes up. And I'm also on Instagram and my handle is when South met north.

Betsy Furler 13:54

Okay, so where Ali writes and then when South met North Perfect. Yeah. Awesome. Well, I know people are gonna want to find out more about you. And I am really looking forward to following your writing career. I think that it sounds like you, you were able to move in the direction of your strengths. And even though your graduate degree is not exactly what you're doing in your life, it sounds like it was very, very helpful and, and probably also gave you that time in an environment where you felt comfortable in order to really figure out what the next step should be.

Allie Mason 14:37

Yeah, that is so right. I think that even though I'm not necessarily subject wise, following where I am with my degree at the moment, it's been such a formative experience for me. I've met so many incredible people. And I've also received such great support from the department I'm in at the university which has really given me the confidence to speak out about my support needs and not to be ashamed of them.

Betsy Furler 15:03

Yes. Oh, absolutely. I'm so glad you brought that up. Because that is something else I'm so passionate about is that people deserve the you know, whether you call them accommodations or support or both whether someone's diagnosed or not diagnosed with anything. we all we all work better, we're more productive, more efficient, and the world moves more smoothly if we get the support that we need it need. So we're really glad to hear that your university has provided that and also that you've been able to, to, you'll be able to take that out into the workplace if you if you do end up working for somebody else at some point.

Allie Mason 15:46

Exactly. Yeah. I just feel really fortunate because as I said, I was only diagnosed recently so I was diagnosed two months ago. I was going through this experience whilst I was at university, and nevertheless from the beginning explained what my difficulties were and why I thought that they were that way. And I've just had so much support. And I think that's what I want to give back to our community is not to be afraid to speak up and to explore. If you are maybe neurodivergent. And there may be something out there that can help you.

Betsy Furler 16:19

Yes, yes. Because it's not a it's not a weakness. It's a it's a difference a difference. And I think we're all stronger when we recognize our differences. Absolutely. Well, it has been a pleasure talking to you today and I will in my show notes. I will put a link to your Facebook group. We're alley right. And then your Instagram when? When South Tell me tell me Instagram again. Yeah. When South north south oil, yes, just a little reference to the fact but I'm from the north of England, but I'm currently living in the south and exploring my opportunities there. Awesome. So I'll put a link both to the Facebook page and to your Instagram so people can connect with you. So yes, thank you and listeners. Thank you so much for tuning in today. And please rate reviews, subscribe to the podcast on whatever podcast platform you are listening on. And please share this podcast with your friends. I really want the world to realize what wonderful people we have out there who may think or work differently than the imaginary norm, but who is who are just bringing so much good to our world. So thanks for listening and I will talk to you all soon.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai