Affirming Autism

You have started noticing your child is a little behind with some milestones.  Maybe it is speech development.  Maybe your child seems to struggle with playing with other children.  Maybe you notice differences in the way your child experiences the world.  Maybe your child holds their ears every time they hear something loud.  Maybe they turn off the lights at home.  Maybe they hate the tag on their clothes.  Maybe they struggle with transitions - like really struggle.

Maybe it has not actually been a problem, but other people have started to comment on behavioral differences. Maybe your child has always been known to be sitting upside down (or they don’t sit at all). Maybe they love imaginative play, but they prefer to play alone rather than with other kids. Maybe they have surprised you with how quickly they taught themselves to read at an early age.

However, sometimes it IS a struggle. You have started to become more overwhelmed with all the needs your child has.  You start to wonder if every parent experiences parenting quite so hard.  You wonder if maybe you are just not a good parent.  You wonder if you are doing enough.

So maybe you start with yourself.  Maybe you start reading parenting books and talking to professionals.  Maybe you start implementing parenting techniques from all the “best” parenting resources.

But it doesn’t work.  Your child only seems to have more needs; more meltdowns; more struggles.  And you…you are starting to feel a little more defeated.

But, “You can’t give up!” you tell yourself.  “I have to do everything I can for my child.”

So you start talking to the doctors.  Maybe you start services and therapies.

But it doesn’t seem to be helping much.

So…you go back to your research.  Or maybe you have already given up.  But if you are a researcher, you start with ANOTHER internet search…

You start to find some resources.  You start to find something different.  You start to wonder something different.

It’s that word that everyone seems to be tip toeing around.  Autism.  This isn’t the first time you have heard about it.  Other professionals have mentioned it, but only in passing. Normally they focus on strings of letters that become confusing - ADHD, ODD, PTSD, DMDD.

You dismiss it at first.  Your child isn’t like that. (“That” is the stereotypes in your head when you think of an autistic child.)  But then you wonder… And so you research more.  You start to wonder if maybe there is a different way.

Maybe you already have a diagnosis for your child.  Maybe you have done other treatments.  Maybe some of what you are trying isn’t working.  Or maybe it just does not feel right.

Maybe you have already come across adult autistic resources, or maybe this is your first time hearing about neurodiversity-affirming therapy, but if you have gotten this far, you are wondering if this could be the resource you have been looking for.  But…you are tired.  You don’t want to get your hopes up.  You don’t want to try another thing that won’t work.

I want to first encourage you that despite what other professionals may be telling you, you don’t NEED to have your child in a service right away. It is okay to take a break and spend time learning about resources and learning about autism. Spend some time reading autistic-led resources and books. Your child will still be the same neurotype they were before you started learning. Then, I want you to think about the supports that your child would find beneficial. What kinds of supports or accommodations would help them thrive? What things would help you in the difficulties you are having? And how can you meet these needs best?

Focus services on the problem that your child is having. Speech therapy for language delays (spoken language is not the only valid form of communication, so you may consider a speech therapist with training in AAC devices). Occupational therapy for sensory differences. Mental health counseling (play therapy) for anxiety, depression, and other mental health needs.

As you learn what you may want, see if what I am offering may meet your needs. I am a neurodivergent therapist myself.  I get it, you have heard a lot about therapists.  Why would I be any different?  There are a lot of different kinds of therapists out there.  I have a master’s degree in mental health counseling.  I am state licensed as a licensed clinical professional counselor.  I have advanced training in play therapy.  I specialize in working with autistic children under 10 years old.  I practice child centered play therapy.  I don’t force your child to do something they don’t want to do.  I don’t require compliance.  I don’t minimize big feelings.  I don’t focus on obedience. I also don’t “fix” autism. I don’t believe that there is anything to fix because your child is not broken. However, I understand that the struggles that autistic children face in our society can be disabling. The reality is that autistic people have a higher rate of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress experiences than other neurotypes. As a neurodivergent therapist, I can provide mental health counseling with an understanding of neurodivergent children’s unique needs.

Maybe you are thinking, “But I have talked to all of the professionals.  If you don’t do those things, how is my child going to get any better?”

First, I want you to know that I trust in your child.  I trust in YOU as their parent.  I believe that they aren’t broken.  I believe they are whole.  I encourage you to think about what it means to “get better.”  My goal is to help your child and your family improve who they are, not change who they are.  I want to find all of the wonderful strengths that your child has and help them learn to work WITH their brain, rather than against it.  I want to help you learn all the ways your child’s brain works and help you see ways that help you all function better.

Autistic children become autistic adults.  They are adults that have the same autistic brains that they were born with.  We either learn to work with our brains or we learn that we are not enough and never will be. I would be happy to help your child and your family learn how to embrace and learn about their unique brain wiring.

If things feel a little too overwhelming, and you know your child needs more support, know that I am an email away. I can help you start a new process to see if I might be the right fit for your family.