05/12/2024
New Paper Alert: Understanding early maladaptive schemas in autistic and ADHD
individuals: exploring the impact, changing the narrative, and schema therapy considerations
At Yellow Ladybugs, we’re committed to sharing information that helps us create more inclusive, supportive, and affirming environments for our community. A recent autistic-led paper sheds light on the link between early life experiences and patterns of thinking that shape mental health outcomes for autistic and ADHD individuals.
The paper highlights that many autistic and ADHD people experience something called “early maladaptive schemas” (EMS). These are deeply ingrained patterns of thoughts, emotions, and ‘behaviours’ that often develop in response to unmet needs, rejection, isolation, or trauma during childhood.
In simple terms, schemas are like mental maps your brain creates based on past experiences to help you make sense of the world. They shape how you see yourself, others, and situations. Sometimes, these mental maps reflect the challenges of living in environments that don’t meet your needs, rather than who you are as a person. For example, if someone experiences a lot of rejection, they might develop a schema like “I don’t belong,” which can affect how they feel about themselves and interact with others, even if it’s not true.
Negative messages or experiences, whether direct or indirect, can lead to lifelong beliefs Eg feelings of unworthiness or feeling disconnected from others. Living in a world not built for our neurotype, or neuro-minority stress, further compounds these challenges.
The paper also emphasises:
- Understanding Matters: Challenges faced by autistic and ADHD individuals often stem from societal misunderstandings and unmet needs—not from who they are as people. By understanding this, we can shift from focusing on “fixing” individuals to meeting their needs and valuing their strengths.
- Schema Patterns Are Changeable: The research shows that with supportive environments and understanding, these patterns can shift, leading to improved self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life.
- Strength-Based Approaches Work: Using strategies that celebrate individual strengths, honour diversity, and create safe environments can significantly reduce the impact of these schemas.
Why Is This Important?
The paper offers practical lessons for all of us:
1. For Families and Caregivers: Creating environments where autistic and ADHD children feel safe, valued, and loved can help nurture positive self-beliefs and resilience. Building affirming environments can foster confidence and resilience, though systemic and societal factors also play a key role.
2. For Educators and Professionals: Trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practices can help create spaces where neurodivergent individuals thrive. This includes understanding sensory and emotional differences and celebrating individuality.
3. For Autistic Individuals: It’s important to know that you are not alone. Many of us feel defined by past experiences or negative beliefs. With supportive environments and self-compassion, it is possible to rewrite these mental patterns and build a life of joy, connection, and self-acceptance.
This paper reminds us of the broader need for societal change. By reducing discrimination, improving accessibility, and shifting societal narratives about autism and ADHD, we can make big changes in the mental health for current and future generations.
Post inspired by:
- Spicer, L., DeCicco, E., Clarke, A., Ambrosius, R., & Yalcin, O. (2024). Understanding early maladaptive schemas in autistic and ADHD individuals: Exploring the impact, changing the narrative, and schema therapy considerations. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1436053. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1436053
Read the paper here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1436053/pdf
