What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? 
 

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (also known as autism) is a developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life. It is no longer thought of as a childhood disorder and is now recognized as a lifelong condition that requires addressing issues like employment, independent living, and aging. People with autism often have:

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• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people.

• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.

• Additional symptoms that affect the ability to function in school, at work, and other areas of life.

Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.

How I can help:

I have been working with children, teens, and adults with autism for over 20 years. Over the years the paradigm for working with autistic persons has shifted from focusing on deficits and impairments, conforming to neurotypical norms, and using strictly behavioral interventions, to neurodiversity acceptance, focusing on the strengths and unique abilities, and advocating for acceptance and inclusion. Autistic persons require support to participate in mainstream education, workplace, and community activities. I respect your opinion and encourage collaborative work.  We will work together to identify areas of life that have a skill lag or gap and formulate meaningful goals and objectives.

Examples of goals may include:

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• Socialization: understand your socialization needs and advocate for your needs to be respected, form fulfilling relationships or friendships, increase community participation, understand how masking and "double empathy" impacts socialization.

• Communication: develop an understanding of your own communication style, understand the meaning of the nonverbal communication of others (facial expressions, gestures, and body language), initiate and sustain a give-and-take conversation.

• Emotional support: managing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, recognize and handle stress, understand your sensory processing style, raise awareness of environmental triggers and cues of the “autistic overload” (meltdowns and shutdowns), improve uncertainty tolerance, learn how to “recharge your batteries,” find comfortable ways to show emotions.

• Self-care: identify and address life skills areas that are lagging, understand and manage your sensory profile, compose options for downtime, develop a system of self-care steps that works for you, enhance self-advocacy for needed accommodations.

• Parent Coaching: developing a framework to encourage and support/contain the individual during overwhelm, anxiety, uncertainty, changes and transitions, and other challenges which may impact a family’s well-being and happiness.

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 I welcome parents and significant others’ participation when requested by the patient or therapeutically indicated.