In this episode of Atypical 9to5, host Rayna Spasova–van Aalst speaks with Iris Brugman, an autistic social designer, researcher, and expert by experience. Iris shares how her motto, “Finding Power in Thinking Divergently,” drives her innovative work in tackling societal challenges through design. Together, they explore the challenges autistic women face in the workplace, the importance of understanding
accommodations, and ways to break down systemic barriers in education and employment.
Learn more about Iris Brugman and her work on LinkedIn.
Key Moments
00:00 - Welcome to Atypical 9to5
00:17 - Meet your host, Rayna Spasova - van Aalst
00:52 - Introduction to the podcast and guest
01:30 - Iris Brugman: a journey in social design
02:32 - The power of thinking divergently
04:35 - Superpowers vs. powers: a deeper dive
07:28 - Navigating disclosure in the workplace
21:41 - Challenges for autistic women in the workforce
30:13 - Balancing work from home and office
33:17 - Final thoughts and advice
37:12 - Conclusion and where to find more Information
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Disclaimer:
The stories and experiences shared in this podcast are personal to each guest. Autism and neurodiversity are unique to every individual, and we aim to celebrate that diversity rather than generalize or make universal claims.
