Why autistics are cautious & concerned about the Spectrum 10k study
Many people will have heard about the new Spectrum 10k study. We've been asked about our stance, and, in line with other neurodivergent and autistic advocates, we have grave concerns. As Robert Chapman Ph.D. states on psychologytoday.com (in response to the S10k...
PODCAST – intro to neurodiversity, neurodivergence, ADHD & autism for primary and junior school kids
PODCAST - intro to neurodiversity, neurodivergence, ADHD & autism for primary and junior school kids CLICK THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE PODCAST! In this podcast we help kids understand difference and diversity, and give examples of neurodivergence in the form...
Harnessing autistic hyperfocus (neuropsychology and Hypno-CBT)
Guest blog from Kathy @ Arrive Therapy. As a neurodiversity-affirming therapist in the Hypno-CBT® field, I know that autistic people often have special interests. Repetitive behaviours, a propensity for sameness and rigid thought patterns are after all key elements of...
Leah-Anne Bott’s advice for young autistic individuals, and news on her latest children’s book
Leah-Anne Bott is an author and #actually autistic advocate, and we wanted to share some tips she has for young autistic individuals, as well as tell you about a new fundraising initiative Leah-Anne has for her latest children’s book. Leah-Anne Bott’s top tips for...
Autistic social engagement challenges can improve – and NOT by masking
I think I had always assumed that the social communicative differences in autistic people were somehow set in stone, and that, in my own case, with very few exceptions such as when communicating with my spouse or close friends, organic social engagement could only...
Fundraiser – autism awareness school books
Autism Advocate Kelly-Anne Smith, who supports and empowers neurodiverse families, is launching a campaign for autism awareness week to get autism awareness books into primary schools. Here's the details of her project: "As we start autism awareness week 2021, I would...
The shame narrative – why autistic children need to Be Themselves
Let's look at autism and shame. I heard a story recently from a parent, whereby a relative had reacted cautiously to the news of a seven year old’s autism diagnosis. The reaction was the often-seen trope of caution against labelling; not sharing the diagnosis widely...
How autistic people & their talking therapist / hypnotherapist can create a therapeutic relationship
How autistic people & their talking therapist / hypnotherapist can create a therapeutic relationship - a guest blog by Kathy at Arrive Therapy. If you’re considering cognitive therapy or hypnotherapy as an autistic person – maybe to help with areas such as...
Using self-efficacy, presence, insight and cognition when dealing with a heightened autistic child
The more Adult (and ‘detective’ or curious) way of looking at it is to ask: what’s the child afraid of? Autistic individuals can’t always express their feelings (they can swirl around inside us, being felt, and not expressed ) – maybe here, for this child, they’re afraid of rejection – they feel a connection has been lost with the Mum – they’re fearing rejection and they protect themselves by creating the rejection first.So, sometimes you can almost reverse what a frustrated child is saying, to work out what feeling is driving their words. Saying something Adult to them like: ‘Well that’s a sad way to feel, that must feel difficult, but I am not going anywhere, and I love you. Let’s talk when you have calmed down’ attempts a reconnection , and doesn’t enforce the rejection.
Can hypnotherapy, Hypno-CBT and mindfulness tools help autistic individuals? YES – and here’s why…
Can hypnotherapy, Hypno-CBT and mindfulness tools help autistic individuals? A guest blog from Kathy @ Arrive Therapy (cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy) I am a firm believer that individuals of all neurologies can benefit from development tools and therapies such as...