All Things Private Practice Podcast

Episode 181: FLASHBACK — Unmasking Autism in Leadership Roles and Business [featuring Maureen Werrbach]

Mar 15, 2025
Maureen Werrbach, founder of The Group Practice Exchange and coach for group practice leaders, talks about how autism and ADHD shape leadership. She reflects on late diagnosis, unmasking, and building authentic, neurodivergent-friendly workplaces. Conversations cover disclosure, practical steps to show up authentically, and the ripple effects of modeling vulnerability for teams.
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ANECDOTE

Bold First Meeting Sparked Diagnosis

  • Patrick told Maureen directly that she was autistic during their first in-person meeting, which prompted Maureen to seek an evaluation.
  • That bold moment led Maureen to get diagnosed and begin unpacking decades of masking.
INSIGHT

Masking Drains Energy And Identity

  • High masking in late-diagnosed autistic adults often consumes huge emotional and cognitive energy to fit in.
  • Patrick calls out that unmasking reveals why everyday social tasks felt torturous and drains capacity for business leadership.
ADVICE

Disclose Neurodivergence Intentionally

  • Name your neurodivergence publicly when you can and on your terms to increase authenticity and model acceptance.
  • Use disclosure strategically to create safety for others and to reduce personal masking burden.
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