Autism

In my practice I use a neurodiversity-affirming approach. This means I aim to:

• be respectful, empathetic, trauma-informed, evidence-based

• advocate for disability rights

• advocate for equitable inclusion and unrestricted access to supports, accommodations and modifications

• respect and work to understand neurodivergence, autistic differences, and sensory differences (see here and here)

• presume competence

• respect personal agency and body autonomy

• apply a strengths-based approach

• practice with cognisance of the harmful effects of social skills programs that promote masking (see here)

• provide robust AAC to those who need it with no gatekeeping  (see here)

• honour and uphold the dignity and humanity of all clients I serve

• oppose ABA in any form (see https://therapistndc.org/category/aba/)

• use identity-first language as a default but am happy to use person-first language for individuals who prefer this (see here)

Infographics

We don’t treat autism, 2020, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, accessed 3rd September, 2021, https://therapistndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/We-dont-treat-Autism.pdf

Terms to know, 2020, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, accessed 3rd September, 2021, https://therapistndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Terms-therapists-should-know.pdf

We don’t train social skills, 2020, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, accessed 3rd September, 2021, https://therapistndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/We-dont-train-Social-skills.pdf

Social skills training & the research, 2020, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, accessed 3rd September, 2021, https://therapistndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Social-Skills-Training-The-Research.pdf

The double empathy problem, 2020, Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, accessed 3rd September, 2021, https://therapistndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Double-Empathy-Problem.pdf

Other links

Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

The Autistic Advocate

About autistic play

Learn from Autistics

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism

Facebook pages

Autism Inclusivity

Ask Me, I’m Autistic (24hr rule)

Vlogs

Kieran Rose

Sara-Jane Harvey, Agony Autie

Christa Holmans, Neurodivergent Rebel

Books

It’s an Autism thing – Emma Dalmayne

The Explosive Child – Ross Greene

Unconditional Parenting – Alfie Kohn

The reason I jump – Naoki Higashida