In this deeply validating episode, Julie Bjelland, LMFT, explores 25 common traits within the sensitive autistic phenotype—a presentation of autism often overlooked in women and those socialized to mask. These traits offer insight into why so many highly sensitive people are discovering, often in adulthood, that they are actually autistic. If you’ve felt “different” your whole life or struggled to fit into neurotypical expectations, this episode may provide the clarity and self-compassion you’ve been seeking.
Julie discusses topics such as:
Feeling out of place, misunderstood, or “not quite right”
Social anxiety and communication challenges
Sensory sensitivities and energy crashes
Burnout, masking, and the impact of misdiagnosis
Deep alone-time needs and strong emotional responses to injustice
You’ll also hear more about Julie’s unique approach to autism assessments, her free autism quiz, and how you can access community support and resources.
Resources Mentioned:
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Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She specializes in high sensitivity and adult-discovered autism and developed Sensitive Autistic Phenotype Assessments, which recognize the internal, high-masking traits often missed in traditional evaluations. Julie offers therapy, consultations, and autism assessments, and her global resources include online courses, a top-ranked podcast, and the Sensitive Empowerment Community. Her mission is to help sensitive and neurodivergent individuals thrive with self-understanding, compassion, and authenticity. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.
