When autistic kids grow up
- Episodes
- 6
- Format
- Series – listen from the start
- Location
- New York, N.Y.
- Latest episode
- Jul 2, 2026
About the podcast
An autistic researcher's paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
Episodes 6
Chapter 5: The war dial
"You have to reshape the whole system." Tempest McDonald earns a measure of peace.
Chapter 4: How did things unfold?
Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
Chapter 3: Would there be data?
Tempest McDonald takes a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University. Researching her paper accusing the National Institutes of Health of discrimination threatens everything she has built.
Chapter 2: "You need to go to college"
After her stint as a semi-professional pool player and the birth of her son, Tempest goes west to start her belated journey through higher education.
Chapter 1: Those people
What leads an autism researcher to publish an intentionally inflammatory paper accusing the NIH of discrimination? Tempest McDonald's turbulent childhood begins to provide some answers.
When autistic kids grow up
An autistic researcher's paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
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