Abstract

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Jenni Guthrie about her work exploring the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent social workers and students. Jenni shares insight into the lack of research in this area, the challenges autistic professionals face in social work, and the strengths they bring to the profession.

She discusses her completed collaborative autoethnography project co-created with neurodivergent students and newly qualified social workers, which examined the value of safe, neuro-affirming community spaces. Key findings highlighted the importance of organisational support, neurodivergent facilitators, and recognition of the impact of ableism, racism, and the conflation of both.

The conversation also explores the stigma connecting autism with “risk,” the barriers of diagnosis as privilege, and the compounded challenges of autistic burnout versus social work burnout. Jenni calls for regulators and organisations to actively welcome neurodivergent practitioners and invest in research, training, and safe spaces.