Autism Awareness Corrina & Nick Wood Platypus Training and Consultancy 14th September 2018

Aims of Session To increase awareness of Autism To understand the significance of Sensory Issues Look at ways we can improve practice

What is Autism? Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. NAS, 2017 Or Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that enables an individual to process, connect and experience the world differently. Platypus, 2018

What is Autism? Life long disability affecting communication and social interaction Present from birth it is a neuro-developmental disorder Parents more stressed than parents of children with other disabilities Increased risk of developing mental health issues Increased risk of suicide Increased risk of co-occurring conditions Currently more males than females diagnosed Girls present differently to boys

What is Autism? Estimated that at least 90% of people with Autism also have some degree of sensory difference Evidence suggesting a genetic link Can occur with or without intellectual impairment Different for everyone – spectrum disorder The future ‘normal’?

Triad of Impairments (Wing 1979) Language and communication Social Interaction Rigidity of Thought There have been changes to the new DSM V which now shows 2 areas rather than 3; social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours

Patterns of Social Interaction Sometimes called ‘Aloof’ – this style of social interaction is where the individual is ‘in their own world’ not wanting to interact with others, even if approached by someone ‘Passive’ – some individuals are happy to be on their own but are open to interaction with others if approached Used to be called ‘active-but-odd’, but there has been a move away from this terminology. These are individual who want to interact with others, but don’t have the skills or understanding to do so appropriately ‘Formal & Stilted’, these are typically, as the name suggests, those that use very formal language and are very polite.

Sensory Difference and Autism Not just the traditional 5 senses Also includes; vestibular, proprioceptive and interoceptive senses Not static can change over time and experience increased sensitivities at times of stress Some people can be hyper and hypo sensitive and move between the two Cause of anxiety and extreme behaviour

Sensory difference in Autism

Maslow re-visited When considering human needs and ensuring they are met, Maslow (1943) offers a model that is well known. If we adapt this to consider the needs of an autistic individual it can enable us to make sense of how we can meet those needs

Working with clients on the Spectrum Prepare don’t scare Seek out peer support or a Supervisor with experience of client group Consider sensory issues in the room Be aware of societal biases What does it mean to be treated as different Case formulation theory – How does ASC help explain what the client is experiencing?

Mentioning the ‘A’ Word Empathic curiosity ‘I wonder what your school reports used to say? ‘how would your friends at school have described you’ Client: ‘I didn’t really have any?’ Unhelpful but ‘normal’ response ‘how did that make you feel?’ Client: ‘I don’t know, fine’ More useful response: ‘so this, not feeling close to people has been going on sometime?’ Client: ‘Yeah, but I want to be close to Matt’.

Exploring Diagnosis What will this mean to client? Just another label or an explanation? Explore expectations It might take some time and not be result you want Consider writing a letter of support to GP – In my professional opinion this person should be assessed by a clinician with a broad range of knowledge of ASC’s Be tentative avoid triggering transference and counter transference issues around the role of ‘expert’

My role in the Therapy Non- linear systems dynamic theory Being a trusted interpreter The goal is symptom relief not cure Goldilock’s therapy (I can’t talk you better) Offer a place to use and stiffen up the ‘ego’ muscle Be open and honest and prepared to explain what you are doing and why Prepare to be challenged but also to feel rewarded – ‘unlocking the enigma’

A final challenge Selective Mutism How can we engage with those with no voice? Powerful but debilitating Employability

Any Questions? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA