Late Diagnosis Club: How Sha’mya Was Diagnosed as Autistic as a Child But Didn’t Find Out Until High School

In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Sha’mya Jones, a graphic designer and entrepreneur who was diagnosed as Autistic in early childhood — but didn’t learn about it until she was a teenager.

Sha’mya shares what it was like to grow up knowing she was different but not understanding why, navigating school, relationships, and identity without the language to describe her experience. From early academic success to social challenges and bullying, her story reflects the complexity of being both supported and left in the dark.

Together, Angela and Sha’mya explore masking, college burnout, creative identity, and what it means to build a life and business that reflects who you truly are.

🪑 Attendees

Chair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocate

Guest: Sha’mya Jones — graphic designer, entrepreneur, and Autistic self-advocate

You: The Listener!

🗒️ Meeting Agenda

• Opening remarks from the Chair
• Member introduction: Early diagnosis, late awareness
• Discussion: Childhood differences and school experiences
• IEP meeting and discovering her diagnosis
• Masking, bullying, and social challenges
• College life, burnout, and independence
• Art, identity, and creative expression
• Entrepreneurship and neurodivergent design
• Representation and visibility

🧾 Minutes from the Meeting

1️⃣ Opening Remarks

Angela introduces Sha’mya Jones, a graphic designer and entrepreneur whose work centres on neurodivergent and underrepresented communities, particularly entrepreneurs of colour.

2️⃣ Member Introduction: Sha’mya’s Story

Sha'mya was diagnosed as Autistic as a toddler, but her diagnosis was not shared with her until she was in high school during an IEP meeting.

Growing up, she sensed she was different, often finishing work early, helping classmates, and connecting more easily with teachers than peers. Despite having accommodations, she navigated childhood without the language to understand her experiences.

3️⃣ Discussion Highlights

• Early diagnosis, hidden identity: Diagnosed in early childhood but not told until high school
• Feeling different: Awareness of being out of step with peers from a young age
• Teacher connection: Easier relationships with adults than classmates
• IEP moment: Learning about her diagnosis during a school meeting
• Masking and bullying: Navigating teasing, social confusion, and self-protection
• Curiosity misunderstood: Being perceived as rude for asking direct questions
• College burnout: Over-involvement, pandemic disruption, and exhaustion
• Creative identity: Art as expression and pathway to career
• Entrepreneurship: Building a business centred on neurodivergent clients
• Representation: Highlighting Autistic women and people of colour

4️⃣ Key Learnings

• Being diagnosed early does not guarantee understanding or support.
• Without language, differences can lead to confusion and self-doubt.
• Masking and social challenges often emerge more strongly over time.
• Creative expression can provide clarity and identity.
• Representation matters — especially for marginalised Autistic voices.
• Self-understanding is an ongoing process, not a single moment.

📌 Notice Board

• Sha’mya’s LinkedIn
• Prisma kind Design Newsletter
• Prisma Kind Design Website
• Ko-Fi (for tipping)
• Brand Check-In Survey
• Free Brand Clarity Checklist 
• Brand Calm-Down Kit (paid audit and reset)
• Signature 2-tiered Brand Package (currently looking to book 3-4 beta clients to test and improve her offer) 

📣 Club Announcements

🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.

📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions

💜 There is a small charge — but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

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