The Law Is Autistic (With Susan From Meet My Brain) (Episode 115)

Autistic Culture | Where autism meets identity!

0:00

-1:09:55

The Law Is Autistic (With Susan From Meet My Brain) (Episode 115)

In this episode, Matt and Angela talk with Susan, a retired judge and late-diagnosed autistic, about the challenges of law careers for autistic individuals.

Sami Harris

Mar 17, 2025

Transcript

An episode that lays down the law!

In Episode 115 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela sit down with Susan, aka The Autistic Woman—a retired judge, late-diagnosed autistic adult, and host of the Meet My Autistic Brain podcast—to discuss the challenges and opportunities autistic people face in the legal field.

Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:

Why autistic people are drawn to law—from our love of structure and clear rules to our deep sense of justice and fairness.
How masking in law school and legal careers can lead to autistic burnout, especially when the system doesn’t reflect the justice we expect.
The double-edged sword of black-and-white thinking in a field filled with legal gray areas—and where autistic thinkers may thrive, such as contract law or prosecution.
The emotional toll of discovering that the law isn’t always logical or fair, and how that disillusionment hits autistic professionals harder.
How the hierarchies of the legal system clash with autistic communication styles and the need for predictability.
Why legal research and strategic problem-solving are a natural fit for autistic minds—and what happens when that’s not enough to protect us from burnout.
Representation matters: we unpack autistic-coded lawyer characters and how they reflect real-world neurodivergent experiences in the courtroom.

“We unconsciously process so much data. We are in a swirling cauldron of chaos all the time, and just getting rid of this visual clutter is meaningful. There are so many things that we can do as autistic people to live healthier autistic lives. And we don’t even know that [some of those] things are options.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“We [autistic folks], because of our neurology, don’t develop habits - we develop strategies. Neurotypical people do things on autopilot - like wake up, brush their teeth, go for a walk, all this other stuff, but we can’t do that. We have systems.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“When we go nonverbal out of stress, when we don’t make eye contact, neurotypicals are led to believe that that’s because we’re shifty or we’re lying. So, our inherent way of being might serve as a disadvantage in a legal system.” - Matt Lowry LPP

Did you enjoy this episode? We explored the intersection of autism and the legal field, discussing the challenges autistic individuals face in law careers, from burnout to navigating the gray areas of the law. Tune in as we dive into the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals in the legal profession. Share your thoughts in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with us and share your experiences!

Show Notes:

🎙️ The Neurodivergent Experience – Hosted by our producer, Simon
Don’t miss Episode 33: Living with Alexithymia and Dyspraxia—a listener favorite!

🎧 Meet My Autistic Brain – Hosted by Susan, The Autistic Woman
A podcast exploring the lived experience of late-diagnosed autistic adults.
🔗 Visit theautisticwoman.com

📱 Follow The Autistic Woman