The Ruler Of Vansh author Lauren Thompson opens up on autism diagnosis

A 36-year-old author from Leopold celebrating the release of her fourth book admits her recent autism diagnosis was a “huge relief”. Here’s why.

Neurodiverse author Lauren Thompson and her dog Sascha. Picture: Alison Wynd

A “neurospicy” author who was diagnosed with autism aged 36 is celebrating the release of her fourth book.

Leopold’s Lauren Thompson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) last year and has since become a voice for other neurodiverse authors.

“I have found there can be barriers being neurospicy,” she said.

“Sometimes I’ll miss words or other things.

“(Writing) can be a struggle for someone who has ASD or ADHD.

“If you find a good editor, people who will help you with your work … keep pursuing your dream, you can make it.”

Describing herself as “neurospicy” rather than “neurodivergent”, the 37-year-old says the term better reflects her way of thinking.

“It just represents looking at the world in a different way,” she said.

“Sometimes we take things very literally and we want to know all of the facts and things explained to us really thoroughly.

“I think it’s just trying to understand the world as thoroughly as we can because we feel things very strongly.”

Leopold author Lauren Thompson was diagnosed with ASD last year and has since become a voice for other neurodiverse authors. Picture: Alison Wynd

Thompson said her diagnosis came as a “big relief” and was something she suspected growing up as she didn’t engage in things the same way other children did.

“I think because I’m high-functioning and because I’m a girl it can sometimes be missed growing up,” she said.

“(Being diagnosed) was a huge relief and it put so much into perspective for me.

“I don’t feel as though there’s something wrong anymore.

“I was always wondering why I approached things in certain ways … and sometimes growing up, I was made to feel like there was something wrong with the way I did things by teachers.

“But now I realise it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Thompson said she struggled to learn to read because of her ASD and taught herself at the age of 10.

“I found a book series that I really loved and then I basically just went through the whole series and taught myself how to read by just pushing through,” she said.

Thompson completed a Masters in Writing and Literature at Deakin University in 2014 and has published four books since.

Her latest release The Ruler Of Vansh concludes the Isle of Dragons fantasy trilogy, described on Goodreads as a “captivating blend of magic, adventure, and emotional depth”.

She also published The Prince and the Witch in 2022, a stand-alone book suited to primary school-aged readers.

The Ruler Of Vansh is available online now and at bookstores across Geelong.

Originally published as The Ruler Of Vansh author Lauren Thompson opens up on autism diagnosis