Let’s Talk About Autism and Mental Health (Part 2)

Lindsey A. Nebeker, B.A. Author

04/02/2020 Added

332 Plays

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This webinar will focus on the following. Determining effective approaches for those involved in the person’s everyday life (family members, educators, coworkers, etc.) and • Determining effective approaches for the person to apply to their own self-care.

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[00:00:17.810]The only thing I can do at this point
[00:00:19.611]is take it one day at a time,
[00:00:23.810]sometimes one hour at a time,
[00:00:26.742]and not think in huge chunks at this point.
[00:00:32.980]And just checking in to make sure
[00:00:37.140]I am sticking to my safety plan,
[00:00:42.342]and just making sure I'm safe day by day.
[00:00:46.440]That's all I can really focus on right now.
[00:00:51.690]And I'm interested to see what happens week by week.
[00:01:00.920]See if there's gonna be any point where I will start to feel
[00:01:04.330]any kind of relief that I survived.
[00:01:10.240]Also, seeing
[00:01:12.700]when I get the sense that I will start to become more public
[00:01:17.001]with what really happened,
[00:01:22.370]and figuring out
[00:01:26.790]what the hell, really, is my reason for still being here?
[00:01:37.930]Because that's something
[00:01:38.870]I still don't know.
[00:01:48.410]Hello again, and welcome to
[00:01:50.250]Let's Talk About Mental Health and Autism, Part two.
[00:01:55.210]My name is Lindsey Nebeker.
[00:01:56.830]I currently work as a development specialist
[00:01:58.720]for the Autism Society of America.
[00:02:00.568]In addition, I also do freelance work as a presenter,
[00:02:03.590]and speaker on topics specializing in autism,
[00:02:06.220]and developmental disabilities.
[00:02:08.317]Before we continue,
[00:02:10.290]there are a few disclaimers I need to share.
[00:02:12.837]These are actually the same disclaimers
[00:02:15.090]that I provided in part one,
[00:02:16.570]but in case that you are only viewing part two,
[00:02:18.980]I will share those with you.
[00:02:20.600]The information I'm about to present
[00:02:22.960]comes from me independently,
[00:02:24.390]and not on behalf of any agency, or organization.
[00:02:28.040]I am not a professional,
[00:02:29.408]and this information does not constitute medical advice.
[00:02:33.058]For all your medical and psychiatric related decisions,
[00:02:35.860]please consult your doctor.
[00:02:37.538]All images that are in this presentation
[00:02:40.258]are either photographed by me,
[00:02:42.566]or they are creative common images
[00:02:44.970]that allow non-commercial use.
[00:02:47.460]All quotes and references from self advocates
[00:02:50.437]are either published,
[00:02:51.870]and made publicly available on print, or on the Internet,
[00:02:55.140]or if it was through a one-on-one interview
[00:02:57.910]granting me permission to share the remarks.
[00:03:00.976]And one final thing to keep in mind.
[00:03:04.816]The strategies, places, and professional teams
[00:03:08.000]I will be referring to today,
[00:03:10.470]will only specifically apply to mental health care.
[00:03:14.270]There is a lot more we can go in depth
[00:03:16.650]when addressing access to physical health care,
[00:03:20.260]but in this presentation,
[00:03:22.240]and for the sake of simplicity and time,
[00:03:24.830]we are primarily gonna focus on mental health care.
[00:03:31.510]To recap from part one,
[00:03:34.590]we did an overview on what we have learned
[00:03:37.110]up to this point on the research.
[00:03:39.816]We went over contributing risk factors,
[00:03:42.380]and the reasons why red flags can be so hard to detect,
[00:03:46.027]and we identified five types of barriers
[00:03:49.490]that we can encounter
[00:03:50.593]when navigating mental health and autism.
[00:03:53.381]If you did not attend part one,
[00:03:55.644]I have listed those on the slide.
[00:04:01.404]So what we're gonna cover here in this installment
[00:04:06.020]is we are are going to determine what are the antidotes
[00:04:10.512]to barriers type one through five?
[00:04:14.730]What are some ideas and tips
[00:04:16.640]we can apply to knock down barriers one through five,
[00:04:19.850]and its barrier subtypes?
[00:04:21.530]And then, finally, we will have resources,
[00:04:25.220]and sharing some final thoughts.
[00:04:32.002]The antidote to barrier type one, which is communication,
[00:04:36.840]is making communication more inclusive
[00:04:39.570]so that all parties can participate.
[00:04:42.600]There are things that others can do for us,
[00:04:44.519]and things we can do for ourselves to improve the efficiency
[00:04:48.900]of communicating issues surrounding mental health.
[00:04:53.360]First, let's go over some of the things
[00:04:54.980]that other people can do to improve communication.
[00:04:58.600]One of the first things I would encourage you to do
[00:05:01.730]is learn how we communicate,
[00:05:04.229]learn about the unique ways of how we express anxiety,
[00:05:07.800]depression, and crisis.
[00:05:09.880]Be aware of what specific behaviors
[00:05:12.620]we use as coping mechanisms.
[00:05:14.628]Has the stimming become more frequent than usual?
[00:05:18.010]Is self-injurious behavior
[00:05:19.340]becoming more frequent, or intense?
[00:05:21.860]Has the person temporarily lost
[00:05:23.820]the ability to speak, or write,
[00:05:25.537]if they usually communicate through speech and writing?
[00:05:31.996]Honor how we communicate and validate it.
[00:05:36.060]Setting unrealistic expectations out of us
[00:05:38.560]will only foster disappointment.
[00:05:40.690]If you are still trying to determine
[00:05:42.310]how to understand our language, do some detective work.
[00:05:46.160]Find out what communication supports are most successful,
[00:05:48.664]and make sure you get a good assessment
[00:05:50.980]to guide you through your options.
[00:05:53.630]One technique I love to use when interacting with others
[00:05:57.454]is called mirroring.
[00:06:00.640]I apply this technique when I want to help a person
[00:06:03.140]who I am interacting with feel more comfortable around me,
[00:06:06.534]or if I'm trying to build rapport with the person
[00:06:09.660]I'm interacting with.
[00:06:11.250]I observe the person's body language,
[00:06:13.610]and the way that they speak.
[00:06:15.400]Then I somewhat mimic their body language,
[00:06:18.570]and verbal behavior.
[00:06:20.120]It's a very effective technique.
[00:06:22.540]It does require a lot of practice,
[00:06:24.550]but the more you practice,
[00:06:26.210]the more easier it becomes to naturally fall into it.
[00:06:30.410]This is actually a photo of me and my dear friend,
[00:06:33.090]Chloe Rothchild.
[00:06:34.500]A few of you might actually recognize her.
[00:06:36.550]She is a young woman
[00:06:38.180]who is not only a phenomenal self-advocate,
[00:06:41.460]but also has an incredible heart.
[00:06:46.950]Prompt, prompt, prompt.
[00:06:49.600]Communication with humans is a tricky thing to navigate.
[00:06:53.468]The rules involved in conversational exchanges
[00:06:56.170]don't come naturally to us,
[00:06:57.250]so we're often left stuck in what we don't know
[00:07:00.610]what the other person
[00:07:01.780]is trying to get out of our conversation.
[00:07:04.660]When a question is asked,
[00:07:06.190]especially a question that is not a yes, or no answer,
[00:07:09.700]we don't instinctively know
[00:07:11.500]how much information the person wants from us.
[00:07:14.560]So in addition to asking us questions,
[00:07:16.407]you need to ask us follow-up questions.
[00:07:19.430]Sometimes the purpose of prompting is to simply encourage us
[00:07:24.320]that it is okay to speak up when we are not confident
[00:07:27.950]in our ability to carry a conversation.
[00:07:32.820]Be genuine with yourself and with others
[00:07:36.460]on your physical and psychological capacity to help.
[00:07:41.390]Like the person you are supporting,
[00:07:43.475]you also need to tend to your own self-care,
[00:07:46.870]and establish your personal boundaries.
[00:07:50.220]You cannot always be available, and that's okay.
[00:07:54.076]There are still ways that you can offer your support
[00:07:56.930]while maintaining respect for yourself and the other person.
[00:08:00.530]Be specific in how you can help.
[00:08:04.114]Only offer help that you are able to follow through.
[00:08:08.234]While we might get initially disappointed,
[00:08:10.714]we still respect you for your honesty.
[00:08:14.480]Instead of vague offers to help,
[00:08:16.850]you can consider things like,
[00:08:21.009]please feel free to text me.
[00:08:23.610]Just know that I might not be able
[00:08:24.970]to respond to you right away.
[00:08:28.500]I am free on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
[00:08:31.220]If you have any scheduled appointments on those days,
[00:08:33.480]and need a ride I will be happy to take you there.
[00:08:37.760]Your hospital is not far off for my evening commute.
[00:08:40.702]Would you like me to stop by for a visit
[00:08:42.810]after I get out of work?
[00:08:45.890]Unfortunately,
[00:08:47.010]I'm not able to be there with you on that specific day,
[00:08:50.041]but let me help you find someone else
[00:08:52.250]who can be there with you.
[00:08:56.890]If you're unable to offer support,
[00:08:58.972]do not ghost or leave us in the dark.
[00:09:02.400]At the very least, try your best to navigate us
[00:09:05.740]to someone who can offer support.
[00:09:08.710]Eliminating the vague offerings of support
[00:09:11.530]not only benefits you,
[00:09:12.890]you are also respecting the person affected
[00:09:15.901]in that unrealistic expectations are not set,
[00:09:19.712]and, hopefully, it motivates us to expand our efforts
[00:09:23.370]to find the support that we need.
[00:09:26.290]And please, take it seriously.
[00:09:31.050]If the person is showing any of the neurotypical,
[00:09:34.600]or neurodiverse indicators of depression/suicidal behavior,
[00:09:39.461]do not brush it under the rug as part of the autism.
[00:09:43.930]And do not ignore it,
[00:09:46.402]even if you suspect it is attention-seeking behavior.
[00:09:50.850]It can be frightening to confront a situation
[00:09:53.210]when your loved one is experiencing mental illness,
[00:09:55.949]but ignoring it in hopes
[00:09:57.840]that it will eventually go away is far worse
[00:10:00.200]in that it can only lead to deadly consequences.
[00:10:04.550]Accept that fear, and you might just save a life.
[00:10:12.027]At the same time,
[00:10:14.590]there are things we as autistics can do,
[00:10:17.330]and keep in mind when it comes to improving the success
[00:10:20.550]of being heard when we do ask for help.
[00:10:23.750]The first thing you need to do is learn how you communicate.
[00:10:29.870]It's possible that you might not have ever been able
[00:10:32.410]to recognize how you communicate things like being anxious,
[00:10:36.170]depressed, or suicidal.
[00:10:38.620]You experience those emotions,
[00:10:40.810]but you might not be able to identify
[00:10:43.040]when you are experiencing it at that moment,
[00:10:46.048]or you don't pick up on your body signals.
[00:10:48.816]It is important to invest the time to observe yourself,
[00:10:52.270]and study your patterns.
[00:10:53.956]Keeping a journal to go back on can be extremely beneficial
[00:10:57.726]as I have personally found in my own experience.
[00:11:02.520]Don't assume they just know.
[00:11:05.850]We carry ourselves under the assumption
[00:11:07.880]that people can see right through our insecurities,
[00:11:10.690]and read all of our thoughts.
[00:11:12.930]So if we just reveal clues about the depression,
[00:11:15.990]and suicidal ideation we are struggling with,
[00:11:19.080]everyone should just pick it up, right?
[00:11:22.250]Apparently not.
[00:11:23.720]And even to this day, I still fall into that trap.
[00:11:28.337]It is safer to assume that they don't know,
[00:11:32.120]and that you need to reveal more than just clues.
[00:11:36.497]Be direct and clear if at all possible.
[00:11:42.470]Be specific when you are telling a story,
[00:11:45.830]or explaining a situation.
[00:11:48.120]Leaving out specifics can cause confusion,
[00:11:50.807]and even misinterpretation.
[00:11:54.220]Always remind yourself
[00:11:57.640]it is perfectly okay to ask for help.
[00:12:01.670]This might sound cliche, but it's so true.
[00:12:07.000]Chloe, the young woman you just saw in the photo
[00:12:10.824]shared her insight in a post about
[00:12:12.930]the desire to be understood through a meltdown writing,
[00:12:17.030]quote, The struggle is real, the moments are hard.
[00:12:21.647]There are so many things I wish I could tell you
[00:12:24.510]while in the midst of a storm
[00:12:25.820]that so many refer to as a meltdown.
[00:12:28.720]I wish I could tell you I'm trying.
[00:12:31.330]I wish you could see just how hard I'm trying.
[00:12:34.700]At times, I wish you could read my mind to figure out
[00:12:39.050]what's oh, so hard for me to put into words,
[00:12:42.317]and help make it better.
[00:12:44.658]Sometimes road bumps are just part of living through
[00:12:48.390]the rough waves of the ocean storm
[00:12:50.607]until you then see the beautiful rainbow that is a person,
[00:12:54.559]a unique, beautiful individual, end quote.
[00:13:03.850]We need to expand options for communication.
[00:13:07.140]We need to involve more community-based teams.
[00:13:10.350]We need to federally mandate autism training
[00:13:13.530]for emergency clinicians, and first responders.
[00:13:16.940]The primary antidote to barrier type two
[00:13:20.314]is to make access to crisis supports inclusive to all.
[00:13:26.820]There are a myriad of mobile apps out there now,
[00:13:29.700]and the increase in accessibility for chat and texting
[00:13:32.980]has been a lifesaver for many who struggle with phone calls.
[00:13:36.684]A few helpful apps that I have personally used include:
[00:13:40.820]Recovery Record, Replika, spelled with a K, and Woebot,
[00:13:46.750]spelled W-0-E-B-O-T,
[00:13:50.236]but there is more we still need to do up in that front.
[00:13:55.937]For autistics similar to my brother
[00:13:58.790]who do not speak, read, or type,
[00:14:01.275]we still still need to continue our research
[00:14:03.580]on how we can all translate behavioral-based communication
[00:14:08.360]on complex topics.
[00:14:09.806]To reiterate part one,
[00:14:12.220]articulating a mental health crisis is not simple,
[00:14:15.747]even for those of us who do speak or write.
[00:14:20.470]In the meantime,
[00:14:21.303]while we're all trying to figure that out make sure
[00:14:25.350]you create a plan.
[00:14:28.072]Just like writing out a living revocable trust, or will,
[00:14:31.853]you want to be as well prepared as possible.
[00:14:35.590]While prevention is always the goal,
[00:14:38.053]maintenance is lifelong,
[00:14:39.830]and a breakdown or crisis can occur at any stage of life.
[00:14:44.798]In your plan, you want to include a few people
[00:14:48.020]who you would feel comfortable picking up the phone
[00:14:50.370]to send a text or make a call.
[00:14:52.870]In case if a crisis escalates,
[00:14:55.162]you also need to include things like
[00:14:57.210]emergency contact information,
[00:14:58.850]prescription meds you are currently taking,
[00:15:02.040]and the contact information
[00:15:03.130]for crisis centers in your local area.
[00:15:05.536]Find and connect with a team of mental health providers,
[00:15:09.269]or share your plan with providers
[00:15:11.680]who are already working with you.
[00:15:13.570]Include a list of strategies you can use on yourself
[00:15:17.690]to alleviate the situation.
[00:15:20.719]There are several useful template examples
[00:15:23.880]of crisis plans you can find
[00:15:25.720]when you do an Internet search for them.
[00:15:27.458]Since a crisis can happen at any moment,
[00:15:30.750]one of the best places to store emergency info
[00:15:33.360]is something that will most likely be on your person
[00:15:36.610]nearly all of the time.
[00:15:38.850]Of course, that would be your mobile phone.
[00:15:44.650]If you happen to be found unconscious or unresponsive
[00:15:48.260]it will allow the person who found you
[00:15:50.399]to access the crucial information they need
[00:15:53.780]to connect you with the emergency support that you need
[00:15:57.250]without having to unlock your phone.
[00:16:00.990]These screenshots are from my iPhone,
[00:16:03.650]but there's a similar feature
[00:16:05.480]you can set up in Android, and Samsung devices.
[00:16:08.132]When you wake up the screen and swipe left
[00:16:11.423]you will see a phone keypad
[00:16:14.040]that is strictly for emergency calls.
[00:16:16.990]On the bottom left of the screen
[00:16:18.870]where you see the magenta arrow pointing,
[00:16:21.670]you will select where it says
[00:16:23.270]medical ID in red text with an asterisk.
[00:16:27.730]When the medical ID is selected, this screen pops up.
[00:16:31.760]This is where you can include any information
[00:16:34.130]you would be comfortable in sharing
[00:16:35.430]that might be helpful for someone else to know
[00:16:37.832]if you were an emergency situation.
[00:16:44.350]On your phone settings,
[00:16:46.000]you can customize it to place an emergency call,
[00:16:49.300]and designate emergency contacts
[00:16:51.120]if someone else needed to reach out to that person.
[00:16:54.630]Having all of this on your phone to show
[00:16:57.060]can also be useful if you are nonspeaking,
[00:17:00.500]or have temporarily lost the ability to use speech.
[00:17:06.730]It is crucial that anyone who will interact,
[00:17:10.330]or work with us learn the unique ways
[00:17:12.880]on how people on the autism spectrum can respond to trauma.
[00:17:18.190]Due to our neurological wiring,
[00:17:20.050]and survival mechanism skills that kick in,
[00:17:22.492]it takes us a little longer to process the events
[00:17:25.700]that happened to us.
[00:17:27.121]This means that when we experience trauma,
[00:17:30.873]it can take days, weeks,
[00:17:34.140]or even years before the aftereffects are evident,
[00:17:38.030]so we need to be mindful of this.
[00:17:41.110]The question has been raised
[00:17:42.421]on how we can decipher the differences
[00:17:45.210]between ASD characteristics,\ and PTSD response.
[00:17:50.130]It's tricky to have a clear answer on this
[00:17:52.140]since there is overlap between the two.
[00:17:54.792]Generally, you want to watch for behaviors
[00:17:58.449]that are unusual to the person's typical way
[00:18:01.550]of communicating, and self-managing.
[00:18:04.340]Have their communication skills regressed?
[00:18:07.750]Do they act more startled?
[00:18:10.440]Have they become more easily distracted?
[00:18:13.810]Has it become more difficult to concentrate, or learn?
[00:18:18.100]Are they more restless, and more prone to insomnia?
[00:18:22.560]Not only do we need to consider the actual experience
[00:18:25.025]that causes trauma,
[00:18:26.947]we also need to consider
[00:18:28.840]what the surrounding environment was like at the time.
[00:18:32.770]Harsh lighting, extreme temperatures,
[00:18:35.038]unpleasant aromas, unexpected sharp sounds,
[00:18:39.846]can all contribute to enhancing that trauma,
[00:18:43.726]or even be traumatic events in themselves.
[00:18:48.170]So besides the common contributors of trauma,
[00:18:50.588]abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault,
[00:18:55.599]natural disasters, and combat,
[00:18:58.577]people on the spectrum can also experience trauma
[00:19:02.060]through marginalization, bullying, change in routine,
[00:19:06.736]a fire alarm, paperwork, the loss of a pet, or a move.
[00:19:12.656]As a result, people on the autism spectrum
[00:19:16.994]are highly susceptible to PTSD,
[00:19:20.426]so it is safe to assume that most of us will come packaged
[00:19:24.300]with a history of trauma.
[00:19:26.174]We need to make sure
[00:19:28.330]that any place an autistic person goes to,
[00:19:30.924]whether it be a crisis center, an ER, a school,
[00:19:35.860]a workplace, or a place of worship
[00:19:38.826]are places that are trauma-informed.
[00:19:47.520]Training for first responders has been gradually improving,
[00:19:50.910]although, there is still a lot that needs to be done.
[00:19:53.805]Several states now offer and a few even mandate
[00:19:57.300]some form of autism-specific training,
[00:19:59.590]and each program varies.
[00:20:01.620]They teach that non-lethal restraints
[00:20:03.690]like bean bag guns, and tasers are more effective
[00:20:06.535]than choke holds, and firing guns.
[00:20:10.026]There are autism nonprofit organizations
[00:20:13.000]that have worked together with local law enforcement
[00:20:15.480]to organize community events were families and individuals
[00:20:19.170]can interact with first responders
[00:20:20.855]in a non-stressful setting,
[00:20:23.130]which I think is a fabulous idea.
[00:20:26.070]When we still continue to hear tragic stories
[00:20:28.836]of people with developmental disabilities being mishandled
[00:20:32.556]there are at the same time,
[00:20:35.200]also stories that have positive outcomes.
[00:20:39.070]On February 18th, 2020,
[00:20:43.060]police were called when an autistic musician
[00:20:45.276]named Russel James, experienced a meltdown,
[00:20:49.300]and completely lost control over a carbon monoxide alarm
[00:20:53.000]that had unexpectedly gone off.
[00:20:55.990]When he walked outside and noticed the officers arriving,
[00:20:59.205]Russell put his hands up,
[00:21:01.106]and repeatedly started yelling, I am autistic.
[00:21:06.690]Their approach was calm and non-aggressive.
[00:21:09.720]And within an hour, the alarm was fixed,
[00:21:12.365]and Russell was calm again.
[00:21:15.390]Grateful, he thanked his local police department in a tweet
[00:21:19.325]that eventually became viral.
[00:21:22.154]If you are not a first responder,
[00:21:25.106]the way you respond to an autistic person in crisis
[00:21:28.860]can still make a world of a difference.
[00:21:32.390]Recently, when I was taking the Mental Health First Aid
[00:21:36.020]Certification Course
[00:21:37.466]we learned about an action plan known by the acronym ALGEE.
[00:21:42.470]A, assess for risk of suicide or harm.
[00:21:46.690]L, listen non-judgmentally.
[00:21:50.670]G, give re-assurance and information.
[00:21:54.210]E, encourage appropriate professional help.
[00:22:00.210]E, encourage self-help and other support strategies.
[00:22:09.510]Remain gentle.
[00:22:11.580]Be mindful of your tone and volume of voice.
[00:22:15.360]Speak slowly and clearly.
[00:22:18.880]Ask specific questions.
[00:22:21.670]Do not demand eye contact.
[00:22:24.520]Do not discourage stimming,
[00:22:26.270]or other harmless coping mechanisms.
[00:22:29.780]If we take longer than usual to process, and respond,
[00:22:33.490]stay patient, and meet us where we're at.
[00:22:38.290]If we are on the ground, get down on the ground with us.
[00:22:43.034]And if you are still at a loss,
[00:22:45.405]and you don't know what to do just listen.
[00:22:54.550]While it is impossible to control the chaos
[00:22:57.380]that often occurs in ERs and crisis centers,
[00:23:00.810]there are still plenty of ways that we can make
[00:23:03.280]the experience a little easier for patients on the spectrum.
[00:23:07.979]Prepare, give your waiting areas a makeover.
[00:23:11.910]Have fidgets and weighted blankets readily available
[00:23:14.570]to those who request it.
[00:23:16.540]Ask the staff at your local ER in urgent care clinics
[00:23:20.100]to set up a donation fund for helpful items like earplugs,
[00:23:24.070]and noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys,
[00:23:27.200]and so forth.
[00:23:28.940]When there are aspects of the environment
[00:23:31.381]that are beyond control,
[00:23:33.272]such as the sound of arriving ambulances,
[00:23:36.600]the light fixtures,
[00:23:37.597]or limited budget to make upgrades
[00:23:40.261]then at the least we can be prepared
[00:23:43.040]when we have things available
[00:23:44.810]that will make the patient's visit a little easier.
[00:23:50.410]Adjust.
[00:23:52.870]If at all possible, turn off fluorescent lights.
[00:23:55.730]Reduce the sound of alarms.
[00:23:57.750]Add some neutral colors to the walls of the exam room
[00:24:00.840]so they appear less cold and unwelcoming.
[00:24:04.900]Communicate directly to your patient.
[00:24:09.260]Explain every single step you will be doing
[00:24:11.830]in an exam, or procedure.
[00:24:13.780]Describe what sensation,
[00:24:15.200]or level of pain they might experience.
[00:24:18.090]Ask a question in a different way
[00:24:19.720]if your patient does not initially understand.
[00:24:23.110]If it will be useful ask them to rate their anxiety,
[00:24:27.150]or depression, or frequency of suicidal thoughts
[00:24:30.360]on a number scale.
[00:24:32.710]If your patient is struggling with speech,
[00:24:35.340]offer a notepad, or a whiteboard.
[00:24:38.141]Empower your patient.
[00:24:41.370]Allow choices when it is feasible.
[00:24:44.549]Do they want to wear the hospital bracelet
[00:24:46.660]around their wrist, or around their ankle?
[00:24:49.229]Do they want their IV drip,
[00:24:50.930]or feeding tube to go on the left, or the right?
[00:24:54.290]Do they prefer a male,
[00:24:55.780]or a female clinician to conduct the exam?
[00:25:00.860]Slow down a little.
[00:25:04.410]Encouraging an atmosphere,
[00:25:06.040]and protocol that is more peaceful, and collected,
[00:25:08.790]will be beneficial to many,
[00:25:10.609]and it doesn't have to involve a lot of changes.
[00:25:14.000]The way you communicate with us,
[00:25:16.000]and your ability to follow our pace
[00:25:18.510]makes a big difference.
[00:25:21.410]Train.
[00:25:22.770]Train your doctors, train your technicians,
[00:25:25.655]train your administrative assistants.
[00:25:28.290]Provide autism training to anyone
[00:25:30.780]who even has a remote chance of interacting with a teen,
[00:25:34.030]or adult on a spectrum.
[00:25:35.950]And make sure your training protocol
[00:25:38.090]includes trauma-informed care.
[00:25:41.364]Training for staff can be surprisingly affordable,
[00:25:45.082]or sometimes even free.
[00:25:48.324]Extra credit.
[00:25:50.290]Make arrangements to bring in a therapy dog
[00:25:53.190]to help alleviate the anxiety in some of your patients.
[00:25:57.363]There are so many tether tips I can share,
[00:26:00.680]but it would take another hour.
[00:26:03.244]So for more tips on communicating with an autistic person
[00:26:06.570]during a crisis
[00:26:07.990]I highly recommend checking out this post
[00:26:10.400]on "The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism,"
[00:26:12.770]titled "Autism: What ERs and Hospitals Need to Know."
[00:26:22.172]Since recovery and treatment is a broad territory,
[00:26:26.639]we have a few antidotes that can be applied here.
[00:26:35.380]How do we improve access to mental health providers?
[00:26:39.350]We explore alternative ways to connect with providers.
[00:26:43.470]Years ago, when I was struggling with unemployment,
[00:26:47.350]and facing repercussions from a significant trauma,
[00:26:50.647]I was able to find a free counseling program
[00:26:53.840]at the women's center run by my local city government.
[00:26:57.850]The counselors at these centers
[00:26:59.450]were psychology graduate students
[00:27:01.367]who were doing clinical training programs
[00:27:03.930]to earn their graduate degrees,
[00:27:05.597]and they can actually be great to work with.
[00:27:09.020]At the center,
[00:27:10.039]I was able to receive six months of counseling at no charge.
[00:27:14.520]And it provided a great jumpstart to the recovery work
[00:27:18.030]that I continue to do today.
[00:27:21.260]These free or low-cost options
[00:27:24.210]might not be the precise personalized mental heath treatment
[00:27:27.710]an autistic client requires,
[00:27:30.087]but it is far better than no support.
[00:27:34.600]Therapy is typically most effective
[00:27:37.360]when it takes place in person,
[00:27:40.220]but if distance, finances, or a tight schedule hinders you
[00:27:44.119]there are also online therapy services like Talkspace,
[00:27:48.290]where you can connect with a licensed therapist
[00:27:51.220]by messaging and online chats.
[00:27:53.770]I personally have never tried these online platforms,
[00:27:57.540]so I cannot say one way, or the other about that route.
[00:28:01.372]However you decide to connect with a provider is up to you
[00:28:06.310]as long as you have done your research,
[00:28:08.610]and you have made yourself well-informed of your options.
[00:28:16.420]How do we improve access
[00:28:18.410]to mental health care and resources?
[00:28:22.070]We advocate.
[00:28:24.660]In 2008, Congress passed
[00:28:27.550]the Mental Health Parity and Equity Addiction Act law,
[00:28:32.150]which mandates health insurance companies
[00:28:34.860]to provide equal access and benefits to mental health care
[00:28:38.250]as they do with physical health care.
[00:28:41.010]However, equal coverage
[00:28:43.400]does not necessarily mean good coverage,
[00:28:46.400]and there are still some health plans,
[00:28:48.648]which are exempt from the policy.
[00:28:52.180]Organizations like NAMI, NEDA, GLAD, and NCT
[00:28:58.894]have opportunities where we can advocate for affordable,
[00:29:03.800]and equal access to mental health care for all,
[00:29:07.400]regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, or disability.
[00:29:14.400]We can contact our Congress representatives,
[00:29:17.000]and take part in organized marches.
[00:29:20.200]We can file complaints if we have been denied coverage
[00:29:23.690]for addiction and mental health services.
[00:29:27.080]As allies, being involved on a public policy level,
[00:29:32.730]no matter how small, or large it may be,
[00:29:35.626]is one of the best gestures
[00:29:37.910]we can give to our loved ones who are affected.
[00:29:46.410]How do we improve our environment and space?
[00:29:50.570]Well, there's actually a lot of things we can consider.
[00:29:54.467]When considering the ideal environment
[00:29:57.230]for recovery and treatment,
[00:29:59.520]the key is to make these facilities as safe,
[00:30:03.310]and sensory friendly as possible.
[00:30:06.170]Recovery requires feeling physically and emotionally safe
[00:30:10.604]as well as access to familiarity and predictability.
[00:30:15.526]There are few architectural,
[00:30:17.710]and independently owned consulting firms
[00:30:20.110]who will do walkthroughs of the spaces,
[00:30:22.290]and help create plans, interior and/or exterior designs.
[00:30:27.387]When you do hire consultants,
[00:30:29.638]please make sure that they include autistic people.
[00:30:35.290]For outpatient offices,
[00:30:37.780]install a tropical fish tank in the waiting area.
[00:30:41.186]For residential treatment centers,
[00:30:44.467]maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
[00:30:49.260]Ideally, you should provide a single room option.
[00:30:55.010]If a single room is not an option
[00:30:58.107]allow access to a quiet space to retreat to
[00:31:01.690]when we need to take a break from soaking in
[00:31:04.690]all the vibrations emitted by the other patients.
[00:31:08.480]You will be grateful you did.
[00:31:12.040]For the hallways and activity rooms,
[00:31:15.377]install light shields,
[00:31:17.560]or a dimmer if fluorescents are unavoidable.
[00:31:22.368]Confiscating some items are understandable, and are required
[00:31:28.420]to ensure the safety of the patients, and clinicians,
[00:31:31.728]but the amount of things
[00:31:34.010]that are stripped off of us are overkill.
[00:31:38.730]Consider what items really need to be confiscated,
[00:31:42.610]and list a legitimate reason for each item
[00:31:45.700]that needs to be confiscated.
[00:31:48.170]The more items that are confiscated from us
[00:31:51.247]the bigger the meltdown
[00:31:53.350]that you are going to have to deal with.
[00:31:56.860]Allow access to harmless sources of comfort.
[00:32:01.120]This can be a favorite fidget toy, a weighted blanket,
[00:32:05.410]or other comfort item.
[00:32:07.590]We depend on those to self-regulate and remain more calm.
[00:32:13.520]Be consistent with your schedule,
[00:32:15.920]and always provide advanced warning
[00:32:18.630]if an activity is about to end,
[00:32:20.880]or there will be lights out.
[00:32:23.747]In addition to asking about food allergies,
[00:32:26.750]and dietary restrictions,
[00:32:29.050]please also ask about any possible food scents,
[00:32:32.670]and texture sensitivities.
[00:32:35.376]And then just as it applies with the emergency room settings
[00:32:39.646]invest in autism training for office and residential staff.
[00:32:46.540]Remember, a residential or outpatient treatment facility
[00:32:52.920]must be a safe retreat for healing,
[00:32:55.950]and not as a facility for punishment.
[00:32:59.550]By making it appear like a space to serve punishment,
[00:33:03.850]some have been released more traumatized
[00:33:06.855]than they were before entering into the facility.
[00:33:11.990]Kim Clary, an occupational therapist,
[00:33:15.240]and eating disorder survivor,
[00:33:17.470]travels around the country to eating disorder clinics,
[00:33:20.470]and provides autism training to staff
[00:33:22.880]who work at these clinics.
[00:33:25.010]She shares her own experience as an autistic person
[00:33:28.057]living in a treatment center,
[00:33:30.420]and provides staff with advice
[00:33:32.450]on how to interact with eating disorder patients
[00:33:35.790]who are on the autism spectrum.
[00:33:38.690]In Kim's blog, she reveals the fear she developed
[00:33:42.870]under the care of several health care professionals
[00:33:45.940]who knew nothing about autism,
[00:33:49.530]but she claims that, quote,
[00:33:52.150]Those scars are part of what drives my passion
[00:33:56.310]to educate people about autism.
[00:33:59.580]I do not want other autistic individuals
[00:34:02.370]to endure similar experiences.
[00:34:04.969]I do not want them to go through the pain,
[00:34:08.320]and misunderstandings that I did, end quote.
[00:34:16.680]How can we help the pros?
[00:34:19.790]In most cases, those of us who are autistic
[00:34:23.700]will be paired up with a neurotypical psychotherapist.
[00:34:27.290]So how can we help make those relationships successful?
[00:34:31.620]Our primary goal is to help our psychotherapists
[00:34:37.140]understand more about autism,
[00:34:39.640]and how we experience our world.
[00:34:44.500]We can refer them to well-informed autism information,
[00:34:48.060]and resources.
[00:34:51.600]This is a screenshot of AASPIRE's home page.
[00:34:55.920]AASPIRE is an excellent resource
[00:34:59.010]for both patients and health care providers
[00:35:01.330]to access information on autism,
[00:35:03.840]our rights to health care,
[00:35:05.500]and the protocol for caring for patients on the spectrum.
[00:35:09.980]We can educate our providers
[00:35:11.890]about our unique sensory wiring,
[00:35:13.879]and what specific accommodations we will need
[00:35:17.450]to navigate our treatment program.
[00:35:20.700]Preparing a health care accommodations forum
[00:35:23.370]to give to your providers can be especially helpful.
[00:35:28.040]The Autism Health Care Accommodations Tool,
[00:35:31.049]created by AASPIRE, is one such example.
[00:35:36.190]After taking a survey
[00:35:38.150]it will generate an accommodations report
[00:35:40.640]that you can print out,
[00:35:41.960]and share with your health care provider.
[00:35:45.080]The report also includes suggestions to your providers
[00:35:48.660]that are personalized based on your answers on the survey.
[00:35:54.880]My Hospital Passport,
[00:35:57.220]created by UK-based National Autistic Society
[00:36:01.690]is also a good example.
[00:36:04.060]Besides listing your medical history
[00:36:06.500]you could also include things like your accommodation needs,
[00:36:09.810]and communication preferences.
[00:36:12.370]This form is also free to print and download.
[00:36:17.290]Bring a support person with you
[00:36:19.610]if you would find their assistance useful.
[00:36:23.290]Prepare a list of questions,
[00:36:25.600]and a list of goals in advance,
[00:36:28.470]and share those with your therapist.
[00:36:32.580]And know your rights as a patient, or client.
[00:36:38.538]Educating our health care providers can get tedious,
[00:36:42.400]but with persistence,
[00:36:44.060]it can lead to promising results.
[00:36:52.930]So how can the pros help us?
[00:36:57.290]In recent years, with more and more people
[00:37:00.320]receiving an official autism diagnosis,
[00:37:03.920]my sense is that more neurotypical psychotherapists
[00:37:08.500]are working with more autistic clients.
[00:37:11.250]So it would make sense for university curriculum developers
[00:37:15.418]to weave an additional training course on neurodiversity
[00:37:19.250]into their respected psychology graduate programs
[00:37:22.750]with the option to continue neurodiversity studies
[00:37:25.810]towards earning a credential in their licensing.
[00:37:29.540]Of course, these courses would have to be reviewed,
[00:37:33.010]and approved by a neurodivergent panel
[00:37:35.630]before it gets added into the curricula.
[00:37:38.315]I'm not gonna go over specific therapeutic approaches,
[00:37:41.960]or medications.
[00:37:43.730]Recovery is so personalized,
[00:37:45.930]and each person needs to determine what works best for them,
[00:37:50.307]but since it has been proven
[00:37:52.610]that psychotherapy has helped so many,
[00:37:56.075]I would like to share with you some guidelines
[00:37:59.020]on how we can best encourage successful outcomes
[00:38:02.850]between neurotypical psychotherapists, and autistic clients.
[00:38:08.107]Based on my past and current experiences in psychotherapy,
[00:38:13.060]and several others' experiences in psychotherapy
[00:38:16.770]here are some things to keep in mind if you are a therapist.
[00:38:23.990]You are treating the mental health comorbidity,
[00:38:27.820]not the autism.
[00:38:30.330]Although there can be some overlap between the two,
[00:38:33.707]you need to keep in mind
[00:38:36.210]that their autism is part of their identity.
[00:38:40.550]Validate the challenges and issues
[00:38:42.990]your client brings up about their autistic experience,
[00:38:46.800]but always talk about it from a position of acceptance,
[00:38:50.400]and validation.
[00:38:52.760]Remember that we are clients who happen to be autistic.
[00:38:57.810]We are entitled to confidentiality and informed consent,
[00:39:03.020]just like any client who you treat.
[00:39:07.960]It is perfectly okay not to be an expert on autism.
[00:39:12.600]Just be upfront about it.
[00:39:14.730]Some may or may not agree with this,
[00:39:18.010]but I personally don't think
[00:39:19.690]having minimal knowledge of autism is a make or break
[00:39:23.590]when it comes to working with a psychotherapist.
[00:39:26.640]Most of us will be happy to educate their therapist
[00:39:31.680]on what the autistic experience is like,
[00:39:34.820]or at least recommend reading materials.
[00:39:39.470]Minimize distractions.
[00:39:41.970]Avoid operating loud appliances and electronic devices.
[00:39:46.460]Silence ringers, and turn off vibrate on your phone,
[00:39:50.410]and on your computer.
[00:39:52.500]If you need to use the restroom,
[00:39:54.355]make sure you take care of that in between appointments.
[00:39:59.177]Neutralize your office space from strong scents.
[00:40:03.907]Noise coming from outside the room,
[00:40:06.865]or outside the building
[00:40:08.850]are unfortunately beyond our control,
[00:40:11.640]but a white noise machine can help muffle some of that.
[00:40:17.240]Make friends with consistency and predictability.
[00:40:21.830]Schedule a consistent date and time for appointments,
[00:40:25.930]and try to stick with it.
[00:40:28.660]If you have to cancel an appointment,
[00:40:30.754]please notify us right away.
[00:40:34.250]If you will be encountering
[00:40:36.020]a major change in your appearance,
[00:40:37.853]a pregnancy, a maternity, or paternity leave,
[00:40:42.015]a rearranging of your office, or retiring,
[00:40:46.124]you must let your client know as early as possible.
[00:40:53.200]The earlier we know, the more prepared we will be
[00:40:57.466]to work with you to get through these transitions.
[00:41:05.204]Honor your client's neurology.
[00:41:09.020]Encourage us to stand up for ourselves.
[00:41:12.720]If we ask for a reasonable accommodation,
[00:41:15.740]try your best to fulfill it.
[00:41:18.184]When I am in therapy, I personally request
[00:41:21.590]to have the overhead fluorescent lights turned off,
[00:41:24.460]and instead use lamps and natural light.
[00:41:27.931]Autistic people tend to struggle with picking up the phone,
[00:41:32.350]so offer the option for your client
[00:41:34.230]to reach you by text, or an email.
[00:41:37.060]If you are concerned about protecting your own privacy,
[00:41:41.060]you can use a separate phone account for work,
[00:41:45.120]or if you want a free option,
[00:41:47.650]you can create a Google voice number,
[00:41:49.670]and give that out to your clients.
[00:41:52.670]When you are working with an autistic client,
[00:41:55.361]you will probably be dealing with interoception,
[00:42:00.750]so you also need to talk about
[00:42:03.200]what physical sensations are being experienced in the body,
[00:42:07.670]and working together to identify emotions that way.
[00:42:12.970]Your voice should be comforting and confident.
[00:42:17.240]Be prepared to pick back up
[00:42:19.500]what your client was having a conversation with you about.
[00:42:23.130]Autistic people can sometimes lose their short-term memory
[00:42:26.600]when there is an unexpected distraction,
[00:42:29.420]or sometimes their short-term memory
[00:42:31.750]simply vanishes during conversation.
[00:42:35.590]If your client is nonspeaking, or speaks minimally,
[00:42:39.200]accommodate other ways to communicate during sessions.
[00:42:43.670]Keep in mind that we are listening to you during therapy,
[00:42:47.620]but we often need a little more time to respond.
[00:42:52.520]If you desire to make progress,
[00:42:55.368]you have to meet us where we are.
[00:43:02.110]Honor your client's autonomy.
[00:43:05.720]Code of ethics apply for us
[00:43:07.500]just as it applies to all of your clients.
[00:43:10.430]If any kind of touch will be involved,
[00:43:13.010]even as simple as shaking your hand,
[00:43:15.740]always ask permission first,
[00:43:18.130]or leave it to the client to be the one who asks.
[00:43:21.450]This is especially important to keep in mind
[00:43:23.880]because some autistics hate being touched.
[00:43:27.928]And presume competence.
[00:43:31.460]Always assume your client is experiencing
[00:43:33.940]more intense emotions than it may appear on the surface,
[00:43:37.547]even if they are not conveying those emotions
[00:43:40.470]like a neurotypical would.
[00:43:42.740]Assume that your client already understands addiction,
[00:43:47.000]the intensity of depression and worthlessness.
[00:43:50.740]Assume that your client already understands any topics
[00:43:55.380]that others at their same age understand
[00:43:58.537]unless it is pointed out otherwise.
[00:44:05.630]Since the antidotes to type four and type five are related
[00:44:10.950]it makes more sense to cover both at the same time.
[00:44:14.940]As a reminder, barrier type four is ignorance and stigma,
[00:44:20.240]and barrier type five is you.
[00:44:24.740]The antidote to both of these barriers is acceptance,
[00:44:31.360]and there are two branches of acceptance.
[00:44:34.587]We transcend ignorance and stigma into community acceptance,
[00:44:41.417]and we transcend the barrier
[00:44:43.960]we have set up against ourselves into personal acceptance.
[00:44:51.587]What can we do as a community
[00:44:54.078]to support our loved ones' mental health?
[00:44:59.270]Advocate.
[00:45:01.400]Advocate for equal access to care.
[00:45:04.577]Advocate for human rights.
[00:45:07.577]Advocate for recovery.
[00:45:10.267]Advocate for empowerment.
[00:45:13.547]Interact.
[00:45:16.310]Get to know us a little better.
[00:45:18.780]Give us a chance to be your friend.
[00:45:22.020]Give us a chance to be part of your family.
[00:45:26.970]Include.
[00:45:28.720]Include us in your classrooms.
[00:45:31.240]Include us in your clubs, teams, and events.
[00:45:35.290]Include us in your employment opportunities.
[00:45:39.010]Include us in your places of worship.
[00:45:42.380]Include us in the conversation.
[00:45:46.278]Encourage.
[00:45:48.980]Encourage us to be strong.
[00:45:51.570]Encourage us to engage in our passions and skills.
[00:45:55.786]Encourage us to share openly about how we feel.
[00:46:01.250]Encourage us to open up about your emotions.
[00:46:05.140]Encourage us to believe in ourselves.
[00:46:09.580]Educate far and wide,
[00:46:12.998]and set the record straight.
[00:46:15.880]Replace stereotypes and myths with facts,
[00:46:19.729]and learn about the relationship
[00:46:21.940]between mental health and autism
[00:46:24.840]so we can spot the indicators earlier.
[00:46:30.587]Love.
[00:46:33.120]Love with all you have.
[00:46:35.580]When there is nothing else you can offer
[00:46:38.920]love is the best present you can give.
[00:46:45.920]What can you do for yourself?
[00:46:50.240]Focus on the present moment.
[00:46:53.080]When you are experiencing an anxiety attack
[00:46:56.010]pay attention to what senses are activated.
[00:46:59.610]What can you see?
[00:47:01.520]What can you hear?
[00:47:03.820]What can you taste or smell?
[00:47:07.570]Distract yourself with other activities.
[00:47:12.641]Go offline.
[00:47:15.920]Set your boundaries.
[00:47:19.100]Create something to look forward to.
[00:47:22.760]If you cannot do it on your own ask a friend
[00:47:26.000]to help you create something to look forward to.
[00:47:32.170]Rediscover your purpose.
[00:47:36.270]Let go of shame.
[00:47:39.850]Use your energy wisely.
[00:47:43.930]Embrace vulnerability,
[00:47:46.590]meaning stick to your boundaries,
[00:47:49.240]and hold onto your values,
[00:47:51.340]but once in a while challenge yourself
[00:47:54.040]by stepping outside of your comfort zone.
[00:47:57.419]Give yourself permission to accept the love
[00:48:01.640]that is being offered to you.
[00:48:04.290]Remember that you are deserving of the sunlight
[00:48:07.510]that your supporters are holding for you.
[00:48:10.320]There is no need to feel guilty about that.
[00:48:14.550]And if it is safe to do so, share your story.
[00:48:21.050]The more we talk about our lived experiences,
[00:48:24.730]the more we will destigmatize it.
[00:48:27.960]Whether or not you are comfortable sharing openly
[00:48:30.790]about your own mental health is a personal choice.
[00:48:35.091]You may prefer to keep that part of your life private,
[00:48:38.590]and that is perfectly okay.
[00:48:41.510]As long as you are getting the support that you need
[00:48:45.150]all you need to know is that if you do feel a desire
[00:48:49.760]to share your story with the world
[00:48:52.270]there is absolutely nothing wrong with that,
[00:48:55.190]and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
[00:48:58.650]What has helped me?
[00:49:01.370]Besides the strategies that I just mentioned, a lot,
[00:49:06.110]but if I were to summarize a short list,
[00:49:10.499]I think of my dog, Piper, who is a senior dog,
[00:49:15.790]and is completely blind.
[00:49:18.100]We adopted her two years ago from a rescue,
[00:49:20.579]and she has been a light in my life.
[00:49:23.627]My music, writing and recording songs,
[00:49:28.560]and performing improvisations on the piano,
[00:49:31.239]a passion that has lasted for as long as I can remember.
[00:49:36.800]My art and photo documenting the steps in my journey
[00:49:41.786]including the moments that are difficult,
[00:49:45.620]and sharing my photos on Instagram.
[00:49:49.777]Exploring the world,
[00:49:51.820]and continuing to learn about the people and places
[00:49:54.900]that make up our diverse planet.
[00:49:58.468]Ditching the scale and no longer using it
[00:50:02.160]to determine whether or not I am lovable.
[00:50:07.180]Taking time for solitude and self-reflection.
[00:50:12.110]Scrolling through Pinterest where I collect quotes,
[00:50:16.050]infographics, comics,
[00:50:18.140]and powerful images on healing and recovery.
[00:50:22.598]My significant other, Dave,
[00:50:25.598]who I am so grateful to have shared
[00:50:28.700]an incredible journey with for close to 15 years.
[00:50:34.980]My brother, James, who has taught me so much about
[00:50:39.620]the diversity of autism.
[00:50:42.446]And, of course, my parents,
[00:50:46.130]and my circle of friends who have remained with me
[00:50:49.120]even through my darkest times.
[00:50:53.030]The ways in how you take care of yourself
[00:50:56.155]is not a one size fits all.
[00:50:59.370]It is all about what you feel best works for you,
[00:51:03.475]and no one else should be entitled to dictate to you
[00:51:07.874]what personally works for you.
[00:51:14.405]I had mentioned this spreadsheet in part one,
[00:51:17.630]but I just wanted to mention it again.
[00:51:20.880]I created a Google sheet that is a neurodiversity,
[00:51:23.660]and mental health resource database.
[00:51:26.170]This is a screenshot of part of the sheet.
[00:51:29.150]On this spreadsheet you can find articles, videos,
[00:51:32.940]published research, links to PDF downloads,
[00:51:35.926]personal stories, organizations,
[00:51:38.770]and more on mental health and autism.
[00:51:41.420]On the second tab there is a list of crisis lifelines,
[00:51:45.140]and ways that you can contact each one.
[00:51:48.290]There were just so many informational resources
[00:51:51.320]on this topic that I thought it would be most helpful to you
[00:51:55.450]if they were compiled together into one file.
[00:51:59.440]If you did not attend part one of this webinar,
[00:52:02.350]and have not received access,
[00:52:04.580]we will provide you with the link to the spreadsheet
[00:52:06.530]after the conclusion of this webinar.
[00:52:09.220]Please feel free to share this resource with anyone
[00:52:12.450]who you believe will find it useful.
[00:52:15.790]I hope this resource ends up being useful to you as well,
[00:52:19.700]and I hope any of the information we covered
[00:52:22.400]in this two-part series will prove beneficial to you,
[00:52:26.032]and the people who surround you.
[00:52:43.214]2-1/2 years later,
[00:52:45.900]I am grateful that I have been able to recover,
[00:52:48.792]connect with professional support,
[00:52:51.322]and stand here in this space to share my story with you.
[00:52:56.310]If you are a person who can relate
[00:52:58.340]to wading through your own mental health,
[00:53:00.681]you know it's always a journey.
[00:53:04.760]That crisis marked a painful end to several friendships,
[00:53:09.602]and even connections with some family members,
[00:53:13.560]but that crisis also ignited
[00:53:16.730]what ultimately strengthened my marriage with Dave,
[00:53:20.870]and my existing relationships with the people
[00:53:23.881]who have always been there for me.
[00:53:27.520]When a person attempts to bring you down,
[00:53:30.081]or tells you that you should be ashamed of yourself
[00:53:33.872]it can be incredibly difficult
[00:53:36.530]to convince yourself it is not true.
[00:53:40.120]When you spend your entire life
[00:53:43.200]being surrounded by labels given to you by a society
[00:53:46.960]that assumes they can identify you it's even more difficult.
[00:53:52.784]And if it keeps happening to you,
[00:53:55.603]then what's the point of trying?
[00:53:59.010]Because the rewards of vulnerability
[00:54:01.422]always outweighs the cost.
[00:54:04.930]Even if the rewards you receive are far and few,
[00:54:09.590]those experiences will transform your life,
[00:54:13.650]and the experience that hurt you
[00:54:16.110]will strengthen your ability
[00:54:18.130]to know how to take care of yourself.
[00:54:23.650]Be your honest self and stand by your truth.
[00:54:29.080]Listen to your intuition, and believe in it.
[00:54:34.260]You may have been taught that due to your disability
[00:54:38.260]that you are not capable of having intuition,
[00:54:41.643]but your heart will never lie to you
[00:54:44.750]no matter what your labels are.
[00:54:48.290]The people who are really meant to be in your life
[00:54:51.760]will continue to be there.
[00:54:55.200]Trust in love even if you have been hurt before,
[00:55:00.250]even if it frightens you
[00:55:02.678]because it might actually be worth it.

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Let’s Talk About Autism and Mental Health (Part 2)

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