On Monday November 24, 2025, The Daily podcast from The New York Times posted an episode titled “The Autism Diagnosis Problem”.

In the days following, the episode sparked an active conversation and raised important questions we felt needed a broader dialogue.  Our team at NeuroTalent Works decided we should record the conversation and share it with everyone.

We cover:

– What the episode got right: a helpful overview of how the autism diagnosis has evolved, the rise of the neurodiversity movement, and the need for better research and stronger support in schools.  

– Where the dialogue needs to expand: Diagnosis isn’t the problem. The systems surrounding a diagnosis — access, resources, research, perception change and pathways into adulthood and employment — are where change is needed.

– Why we need to humanize the conversation and take a full life view — not just childhood supports, but the decades that follow in adulthood. We discuss the overlooked 80% unemployment gap and how framing autism as a “problem” risks deepening these disparities.

–  What effective change looks like: The opportunity to re-design support systems and remove barriers with the lived experiences of autistic adults at the center.

We see the opportunity for systems change, and we invite you to be part of it.