Kathleen Schubert is an American-born keynote presenter, autism advocate, writer, and author of U Don’t Seem Autistic. A late-diagnosed autistic woman, Kathleen is known for her powerful lived-experience presentations on autism in women, neurodivergence, autistic masking, sensory processing, and the hidden realities of late autism diagnosis.

Formerly a naturopathic and functional health practitioner for more than a decade, Kathleen mentored practitioners and supported clients internationally before shifting her focus toward autism advocacy, neurodivergent education, public speaking, and writing. Her unique background bridges health, psychology, lived experience, and neuroscience-informed understanding of autism in adults, particularly autistic women who have gone unseen for years.

After receiving an autism diagnosis in midlife following decades of misdiagnosis and misunderstanding, Kathleen began speaking publicly about the gender inequities in autism assessment and the ways autism in women is frequently overlooked, masked, or mistaken for anxiety, trauma, burnout, personality disorders, or chronic mental health struggles. Her work explores female autism, high-masking autism, autistic burnout, sensory overwhelm, identity discovery, and the emotional impact of living undiagnosed.

In her book U Don’t Seem Autistic, Kathleen shares her deeply personal journey from confusion and invisibility to self-understanding and empowerment. The book has resonated with readers worldwide for its honest insight into what autism can actually look like in women and high-masking adults. Through storytelling, education, and advocacy, she helps readers recognise autistic traits in themselves or loved ones while challenging outdated stereotypes surrounding autism spectrum disorder.

As a keynote speaker and autism presenter, Kathleen delivers engaging and thought-provoking talks on neurodivergence, late-diagnosed autism in women, inclusive workplaces, autistic identity, assistance dogs, sensory accessibility, and creating neurodivergent-affirming educational and healthcare environments. Her presentation style blends clinical insight, lived experience, advocacy, and authenticity, helping audiences better understand the autistic experience beyond stereotypes.

Kathleen’s mission is to create greater awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for neurodivergent people while helping autistic women feel seen, understood, validated, and less alone.