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April 14th, 2025

Autistic & Leading: How Aaron Helton Transformed People-Pleasing into Empowered Leadership

  1. Autistic & Leading: How Aaron Helton Transformed People-Pleasing into Empowered Leadership April Ratchford MS OT/L 41:23

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Hey friends! Today’s episode brings in Aaron Helton — an autistic executive coach who’s rewriting what leadership can look like for neurodivergent adults.

Raised by a Tiger Mom and homeschooled with a grading scale where a “B” meant failure, Aaron knows what it means to live under pressure. From years of masking and people-pleasing to running from Burnout, Aaron shares how he finally stepped into leadership with boundaries, humor, and radical self-awareness.

We talk about:

  • Why autistic adults often become overthinkers and overachievers

  • What happens when you stop saying “yes” to stay safe

  • And how leadership can look a whole lot more human, honest, and neurodivergent-friendly

If you’ve ever thought, “Is it okay to want more and not break myself to get it?” — this one is for you.

☕ Want to support the show and keep this content flowing? Tap my Linktree to grab merch, join our Discord, or Buy Me a Coffee — everything’s in one spot:👉 https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism

🎧 Connect with Aaron:🔗 https://integratedleader.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adulting-with-autism/donationsUnlock Your Pleasure Summit — Part 1
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I’m April, an occupational therapist, autism advocate, and the host of Adulting with Autism, a podcast dedicated to elevating the voices of late-diagnosed adults, parents, and professionals navigating life on the spectrum. As a mom to an autistic young adult, I blend clinical insight with lived experience—offering honest conversations, practical tools, and moments of levity for those walking similar paths.

I’m passionate about bridging generational gaps around neurodivergence, mental health, and independent living. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or neurodivergent adult yourself, my goal is to make sure no one feels alone in the process of “figuring it out.” When I’m not recording, you can find me writing, drinking too much espresso, or planning my second home in South Korea.