50: Autism, OCD, and the Joy of Being Way Too Interested in Everything w/ Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Featuring:

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel, autistic accessibility consultant and founder of Opossum House Accessibility

What happens when autism is diagnosed early, supported well, and allowed to stay joyful — and how OCD complicates (and sometimes sharpens) everything that comes after

In this episode, we explore:

• Early Diagnosis Moment: what it was like being diagnosed autistic at age three in the 1990s, and how access, parental belief, and early support shape sense of self

• The Identity Shift: From masking in a conformist school system to reclaiming autism as something fun, social, and deeply human — while naming the privilege baked into his journey

• Creating Workarounds & Framework: How OCD-driven rituals around time, sleep, and lists evolved into autistic-friendly executive function systems that actually support his work

• Calming Sensory Needs: Why unmet sensory needs can amplify OCD, how light and heat regulation matter, and what it means to design life around nervous system safety

• Random moments: Eggplants are botanically berries, opossums are the ultimate autistic mascot, and leaning into “cringe” is a survival strategy

Key Questions Answered in the Audio:

1. How do autism and OCD interact — and when does one help or hinder the other?

2. What does accessibility actually look like beyond ramps and compliance checklists?

3. Is starting a business as a neurodivergent person empowering or a fast track to burnout?

Resources Mentioned:

Opossum House Accessibility (Jonathan’s consulting practice) >>>https://www.opossumhouseaccessibility.com/

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel on LinkedIn >>>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-katz-ouziel-cpacc-6b098334/

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