Autism
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Flourish provides Autism affirming mental health therapy that embraces and celebrates the unique characteristics and strengths of Autistic folx, while also acknowledging and the challenges faced by Autists living in a world designed for “neurotypicals.” We understand that Autism is not a disorder to be “cured,” but rather a fundamental aspect of an individual’s identity that can be accepted, validated, and nurtured. This approach values your unique experiences and perspectives, and we recognize your sensory needs, communication styles, and ways of processing information as valid and valuable. We are here to provide support and strategies that respect neurodiversity, rather than attempting to force you to conform to the standards of others.
If you are the parent of an Autistic child and aren’t even sure where to begin the journey of embracing and celebrating your child’s identity, Flourish offers a great place to start! We provide a combination of counseling and psychoeducation to help you better understand your child and to create a more peaceful, supportive home environment for the entire family. Our clinicians also have an understanding of both PDA and ARFID, two of the more distressing sensory and behavioral profiles that may accompany your child’s Autism diagnosis, so if you currently feel like you are underwater or you aren’t sure what the future has in store for your kiddo, we are here to help!
Key Principles of Autism Affirming Therapy:
1. Understanding and Respect: Our clinicians have a deep understanding of Autism, including its neurodevelopmental basis and the wide variability in how it presents. We respect each unique individual’s way of experiencing the world and we tailor interventions and interactions within sessions accordingly.
2. Communication: Since communication differences are common among Autistic individuals, our clinicians often focus on effective communication strategies that best suit your individual needs. This might involve various methods of communication, such as visual supports, written communication, or using technology to facilitate understanding.
3. Sensory Sensitivities: Many Autistic individuals have heightened sensory sensitivities or differences, which can significantly impact their daily lives. Autism affirming therapy considers these sensitivities and works to create a therapeutic environment that is comfortable and accommodating. In our office, this looks like … lots of lighting options with overhead lights, 3-way bulbs in floor lamps, and desk lamps; the option to use differing sounds on our sound machines; baskets of fidgets available to all; floor pillows and bean bags in addition to traditional couches; and weighted stuffed animals in every office.
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4. Celebrating Special Interests (SPINS): Rather than solely focusing on deficits or challenges, we emphasizes your personal strengths and interests. This could include areas of intense focus (special interests) that can be incorporated into therapeutic activities to promote engagement and well-being. Some of our clinicians have been known to create D&D character sheets and send clients on side quests throughout the week; to use favorite tv shows or movies as a way to discuss interpersonal relationships; or to support clients in linking with their SPIN communities.
5. Flexibility and Structure: Balancing flexibility with structure in sessions is crucial in Autism affirming therapy. While routines and predictability can be comforting for many Autistic individuals, we also recognize the importance of allowing for spontaneity and adapting to your changing needs. We are happy to check-in at the beginning of each session to see where you’re at and what you’re seeking for that specific session instead of forcing an agenda, even if that’s what we “agreed on” last week!
6. Empowerment and Self-Advocacy: We encourages self-advocacy skills and support empowering individuals to communicate their needs and preferences. This includes helping them navigate social situations, advocate for accommodations, and build confidence in their abilities without forcing or coercing people to conform to “neurotypical” norms. We can practice self-advocacy in a safe space so that you can walk into new situations feeling confident that you have an action plan to advocate for yourself when the opportunity arises.
7. Family and Support Network Involvement: We recognize that Autism affects not just the individual, but also their family and support network. Because of this, we enjoy providing psycoeducation and support for family members to the degree that you feel comfortable with. For Autistic children, we heavily focus on education and “game planning” with primary caregivers, and can also offer supportive services to siblings or other children living in the home.
Our goals in providing Autism affirming mental health treatment are pretty simple and straightforward ...
Improved Self-Esteem: By focusing on strengths and validating experiences, our clients often experience increased self-esteem and a stronger sense of personal identity.
Less Distress: Through a combination of learning effective coping strategies and giving yourself (or your child) permission to create welcoming and affirming spaces, we hope to support you in improving your overall sense of calm and well-being.
Enhanced Interpersonal Relationships: Autism can lead to feelings of inadequacy and isolation, and we aim to support you in creating deeply meaningful, fulfilling relationships with others that meet your needs and keep you afloat when things feel overwhelming. Educating families and communities about Autism fosters understanding and acceptance, creating a more supportive environment, so we try to focus on both you and your support system.
Autism affirming mental health therapy is not just about providing support; it’s about celebrating neurodiversity and promoting the well-being and autonomy of Autistic individuals. If you are ready to work with an Autism affirming therapist, of if if you are the parent of an Autistic child, please contact us to schedule a consultation call today!
