How Tigz Realised She Was Autistic After a Lifetime of Creative Hyperfocus
In this episode, Angela speaks with Tigz Rice, an Autistic empowerment photographer who helps people reconnect with how they want to be seen in their own bodies.
In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Tigz Rice, an empowerment photographer whose work centres on helping people feel truly seen in their own bodies.
Diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her late 30s, Tigz reflects on the subtle signs that were present throughout childhood — from early hyperfocus on computers and photography to lifelong curiosity about how things work. What began as a casual exploration of ADHD eventually led to a dual diagnosis that reframed decades of experience and self-understanding.
Together, Angela and Tigz explore late discovery, high masking, creative hyperfocus, and how learning her neurodivergent “user manual” has changed how she treats herself.
🎧 Listen to this episode:
🪑 Attendees
Chair: Dr Angela Kingdon — Author, community-builder, and Autistic advocate
Guest: Tigz Rice — Empowerment photographer, podcaster, and late-identified Autistic ADHDer
You: The Listener!
🗒️ Meeting Agenda
Opening remarks from the Chair
Member introduction: Creativity, photography, and late neurodivergent discovery
Discussion: ADHD first, autism later, and the long path to diagnosis
Hyperfocus, masking, and childhood signs
Creative communities, burlesque, and neurodivergent overlap
Learning self-compassion after diagnosis
Key learnings
Club announcements
🧾 Minutes from the Meeting
1️⃣ Opening Remarks
Angela welcomes listeners to the meeting and introduces photographer Tigz Rice, whose work focuses on helping people feel comfortable being seen in their bodies. Through photography, Tigz creates spaces where authenticity and vulnerability are welcomed rather than hidden.
2️⃣ Member Introduction: Tigz’s Story
Tigz did not suspect she was neurodivergent until her 30s. The idea first emerged when several friends in her social circle began receiving ADHD and autism diagnoses.
What began as curiosity became a deeper investigation. Her ADHD diagnosis arrived first, followed by an autism diagnosis only a few months later at age 38. Rather than shock or shame, the experience felt largely validating — like finally gaining access to the “user manual” for her brain.
3️⃣ Discussion Highlights
Friendship pattern: Entire social circle gradually discovering neurodivergence
ADHD pathway: Diagnosis first revealed lifelong dopamine-seeking and shifting interests
Autism clarity: ADHD medication made Autistic traits more visible
Childhood signs: Fascination with computers, photography, and how systems work
Creative hyperfocus: Photoshop, illustration, and photography as enduring interests
Performance worlds: Theatre and burlesque communities with strong neurodivergent presence
Masking awareness: Realising later how much effort social performance required
Autistic glimmers: Full-body sensory moments of joy and alignment
Self-compassion: Learning to honour limits and support her own needs
4️⃣ Key Learnings
Late diagnosis can bring validation rather than crisis.
ADHD and autism can mask each other until one becomes clearer.
Creative communities often offer safer spaces for neurodivergent expression.
Understanding your neurodivergence can lead to greater self-compassion.
Trusting your intuition and pattern recognition can guide self-discovery.
📌 Notice Board
If anyone wants to be photographed by Tigz, you can find the details at https://www.tigzrice.com
📣 Club Announcements
🎧 The Late Diagnosis Club is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
💬 Join our online meetups and community at latediagnosis.club.
📌 Check the LDC Notice Board for Member Contributions
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We’re always looking for late-diagnosed or self-identified neurodivergent adults who are ready to share their story on The Late Diagnosis Club.
Tell us a little about yourself and your diagnosis journey here:
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A huge thank-you to our founding supporters of Autistic Culture Plus, who believed in this network before it even launched.
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🎙️ Executive Producers
Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.
🎧 Producers
AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.