Penybont Asperger’s Group - PAG

09/08/2024

22/07/2023

https://youtu.be/oYycpKcUhc4

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08/06/2023

🌟These sometimes subtle early signs of dysregulation can be easily missed. Often they can be misinterpreted as a child “acting out” (especially by people other than you), when in fact it’s their nervous system heading into a fight/flight/freeze state of dysregulation.

❓Has your child ever had a meltdown or become dysregulated and you think "Wow that came out of no where!" (I have!) Guess what, chances are it didn't!

💫There is always some kind of preceding trigger, stressor, or a build up of over stimulation that led them to that point. It may have been something that happened minutes, hours or even a build up of a few days that led them to that point.

➡️Then later after everyone is regulated you think "Wait a minute I should have seen that coming.” I find this usually happens when I am distracted, dysregulated myself, or tired and I am not fully attuning to my child’s needs.

⭐️Attunement is the ability to be responsive, present and aware of someone's emotions. It is vital in the coregulation process. By attuning to your children and to yourselves we can begin to recognize the subtle changes in their level of arousal that are leading to dysregulation.

🎯Dysregulation can take
on many different looks and it presents differently in everyone. When you begin to attune to your child that's when you notice the little shifts in their level of arousal.

➡️When you start to notice those signs and see them drifting out of the "Just Right" or optimal level of arousal that's when you can step in and coregulate before it gets to a full fight, flight, freeze response often leading to a meltdown. That's when sensory strategies can be best used!

😊Don't beat yourself up if you miss some of the signs, we all do. Take note of it, so next time you will know how to respond, it’s a constant learning process!

🙋🏻‍♀️Are your child’s signs of dysregulation sometimes misinterpreted by others? Let me know in the comments!

Give this a share if this resonates with you and as a reminder for others!

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08/05/2023

Camouflaging and Autism

Camouflaging, also known as masking, is a term used to describe the conscious or unconscious behaviour of autistic individuals who attempt to hide or suppress their autistic traits in order to fit in socially. Autistic individuals may camouflage to achieve social acceptance and connection with others to feel valued or avoid being bullied or abused.

Unfortunately, research indicates that camouflaging can have significant negative impacts on an individual's mental health, particularly in the areas of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Camouflaging can be exhausting and stressful, as autistic individuals may feel they must constantly monitor and adjust their behaviour in order to “fit in and appear normal" or socially acceptable. This can lead to feelings of social isolation, low self-esteem, and a sense of disconnection from others.

A 2021 systematic literature review by Cook et al. found that those reporting as female s*x or identifying as women camouflaged more than those reporting male s*x or identifying as men. It is important to note, however, that gender differences in camouflaging are not well understood, and the non-binary population is significantly underrepresented in the available literature.

Reasons for camouflaging vary for each person, for example, individuals who identify as female may camouflage in different ways than their male counterparts, often perfecting the art of camouflaging to a greater degree and experiencing higher levels of anxiety and depression as a result. Similarly, non-binary individuals may struggle to fit into gender norms that don't align with their true identity, which can add an extra layer of stress to the already difficult task of masking autistic characteristics. This can lead to feelings of confusion and isolation, as well as a sense of being disconnected from both their gender identity and their autistic identity.

Likewise, autistic individuals with an internalised presentation of autism may feel like they have to constantly hide their autistic characteristics to fit in with non-autistic society, particularly those whose autism presentation does not follow the stereotypical profile of autism. This can lead to feeling shame, unworthiness, and disconnected from their own autistic identity.

Unfortunately, camouflaging can delay an autism diagnosis, leading to a delay in access to appropriate support and therapies, which can exacerbate mental health issues and make it harder for individuals to cope with their challenges. When attempting to discuss a possible autism diagnosis, those who camouflage are more likely to receive comments such as ‘You’re not autistic’ and ‘You’re too social to have autism’, which delays self-understanding and self-acceptance.

To overcome the negative consequences of camouflaging, autistic individuals need to find ways to embrace their authentic selves and seek out support and therapies to help them cope with their challenges more authentically and self-acceptably.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?
We have created a full-day presentation on the experiences of being autistic as a female*, including the understanding and treatment of conditions that can be present for an autistic individual. We designed the event for autistic teenagers and women, parents and caregivers and professionals supporting the autistic community.
WEBCAST EVENT: Autistic Girls and Women – 9 June 2023

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/live-webcast-autistic-girls-and-women-9-june-2023/

Our brand-new event, Autistic Adults, is designed for autistic adults and those who love them. It includes the latest research and our own clinical insight on what can be helpful to know and do as informed by the many autistic adults we speak to and support.
WEBCAST EVENT: Autistic Adults, 10 November 2023
https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/webcast-event-autistic-adults-10-november-2023/

27/02/2023

28/06/2022

Autistic Depression.
One in three autistic adolescents has the signs of clinical depression. Autistic individuals across the lifespan are four times more likely to experience depression in their lifetime compared to neurotypical.

Depression may present in various ways for an autistic person. Recognising changes in behaviour is vital to help support the autistic person around you. For those autistics with limited communication and expressive language, changes in behaviours can be an essential clue when something is not quite right. Below are some signs of depression for an autistic person:

* Externalised agitated: depression expressed as agitation and blame of others rather than oneself, this may be seen as someone going into ‘attack mode’ and perceived as aggressive, but the underlying emotion may be low self-worth and depression.

* Express feelings of personal defectiveness, feeling extremely self-critical or belief they are defective in a deep and unchangeable way.

* Suppression of emotions - Suppression of painful emotions can hide the symptoms of depression so effectively that the person ‘slips under the radar’ and does not receive the help they so desperately need. Unfortunately, the painful emotions do not go away, but instead, intensify and elongate the depressive episode, and can also cumulate and lead to intermittent ‘depression attacks’. The cost of masking the real self and emotions in order to be accepted and liked can create a chronic sense of concealed alienation and feelings of personal defectiveness. It can also be exhausting to lead a double life, significantly contributing to feeling depressed.

* Emotional dyskinesia - or a reduced range of emotional expression in the face and body language. For many, because they do not look or sound distressed, there can be a lack of recognition of that person’s feelings and access to support and increasing feelings of alienation and depression may occur.

* Alexithymia, an autistic person may say they are not anxious or depressed, however, their thought patterns, behaviour and physiology will tell a different story.

* Change in special interests – For some autistics, an indication of a very deep depression is the loss of all enthusiasm for what was their special interest.

* Stay socially isolated - a chronic sense of concealed alienation

* The functional use of anger to achieve solitude
Unfortunately, many clinicians and professionals are unaware of the unique presentation of depression for an autistic adolescent. This leads to many individuals without the supports they need.

This live course counts for 5.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development or Teacher Accreditation hours. (For NSW Teachers: the course may be recorded as an elective PD with NESA).

We will explore depression in much more depth in Succeeding with Autism in the Teens and as a Young Adult on 22nd July 2022. Live Webcast, 9.30 – 4.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST – Brisbane)

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/succeeding-with-autism-in-the-teens/

Does your Child or Adolescent have NDIS Funding?
If you are self-managed or third party-managed and parent education is in the Plan you can use your NDIS funding to attend this event.

Do You Need a Tax Invoice Receipt for this Event?
Please email us at events@attwoodandgarnettevents.com and we will send you one.

** The information in this post is from peer-reviewed research and the perspectives and experiences of many autistic individuals from clinical experience and communications and may not apply to each person.

27/06/2022

10/04/2022

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a series about autism and social acceptance. Future columns will publish in upcoming editions of The Duncan Banner.

28/03/2022

There is a growing body of research exploring the positive impact of dogs (and indeed a variety of other domestic animals) on autistic individuals. Many autistic individuals will describe or be observed to possess a natural affinity with animals. Animals, and particularly dogs, provide a multitude of benefits to autistic people. They come with a present-focused, non-judgemental, and simplified way of communicating and relating to the world around them; they differ vastly from their nuanced and complex human counterparts, who are so often a source of confusion and anxiety for an autistic person.

From previous comments received😍, cats, lizards, chickens, and even spiders are just as amazing as dogs 😁

Reposting in the hope to see all the animals in each person's world. If you feel comfortable, please share a photo of the animals in your life.

24/03/2022

Diagnostic Confirmation

When confirming the diagnosis of autism, we often notice a sense of relief, vindication, and validation, their autism has been ‘discovered’. Gradually there is a process of making sense of past and current experiences through the new lens of autism. There is less self-blame and self-judgement and more self-compassion and confidence with increased agency and the potential for a new identity and authenticity. There is invariably a reduction in the desire to camouflage the characteristics of autism.

We discuss how to explain the diagnosis to a partner, family members, friends, and colleagues, if that is a desired outcome. We anticipate the person may encounter difficulties in being believed because she may not represent societies stereotype of autism. Common responses can include, “Oh but you are too empathic/social/warm/friendly” or “oh aren’t we all a bit on the spectrum!” It can be helpful to be emotionally prepared and have pre-thought-out and respectful answers for such comments. Fortunately, there is growing awareness and acceptance of the characteristics of autistic girls and women, but some members of our community need more knowledge and time to understand.

The diagnosis can also lead to connecting with other autistic women and benefitting from their guidance and experiences. We have found that this will lead to better self-understanding, self-regulation and reduce anxiety and depression and the potential for autistic burnout.

TOMORROW, On Friday 25th March 2022, we are holding an Autistic Girls and Women event. This presentation will celebrate the unique presentation of autistic girls and women. It will increase awareness and knowledge of the female presentation of ASD and share strategies we find useful in clinical practice. We will address key challenges, including self-understanding, adolescence, relationships and expressing and managing emotions. We will provide strategies to maximise the possibility of successful outcomes.

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/live-webcast-autistic-girls-and-women-25-march-2022/

** The information in this post is from the perspectives and experiences of many autistic individuals from clinical experience and communications and may not apply to each person.

By Dr Michelle Garnett

14/03/2022

Causes of Autistic Burnout

The causes maybe due to:

* A lack of autism awareness and accommodations at school, work, within the family, government agencies and society
* Feelings of being judged negatively and rejected
* Being perceived as defective
* Lack of progress academically or at work
* More demands at school, work or home than coping abilities
* Lack of connection and relationships with others
* Diminishing mental energy and increasing stress and self-doubt
* Camouflaging autism and/or mental health issues

Autistic burnouts can last months or years and may start in the adolescent years. A burnout may be triggered by life changes such as leaving high school, starting a new job or promotion or the end of a friendship or relationship. The experience of burnout may precede and precipitate a diagnosis of autism, and confirmation of the diagnosis may lead to the recognition of autistic burnout.

A burnout is more likely for autistic adults who camouflage and suppress their autism. They do not communicate their true support needs and level of exhaustion and valiantly try to cope at school or work. However, the cost of peer acceptance is in terms of emotional energy depletion that contributes to a burnout. Camouflaging becomes a barrier to support and relief and increases stress.

On Friday 25th March 2022, we are holding an Autistic Girls and Women event, and autistic burnouts are one of many topics we will be covering. This presentation will celebrate the unique presentation of autistic girls and women. It will increase awareness and knowledge of the female presentation of ASD and share strategies we find useful in clinical practice. We will address key challenges, including self-understanding, adolescence, relationships and expressing and managing emotions. We will provide strategies to maximise the possibility of successful outcomes.

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/live-webcast-autistic-girls-and-women-25-march-2022/

** The information in this post is from the perspectives and experiences of many autistic individuals from clinical experience and communications and may not apply to each person.

08/03/2022

What is Autistic Burnout?

An autistic life is not an easy life. There is the potential for great stress and chronic exhaustion from trying to cope with social and sensory experiences, being misunderstood and criticized, high levels of anxiety and, for many reasons, not feeling in touch with or able to be the authentic self. In addition, there may be self-imposed expectations that are greater than coping mechanisms and abilities. Subsequent stress can build up over time that can lead to autistic burnout, which is characterised by increased social withdrawal, a form of ‘hibernation’ and reduced executive functioning, the frontal lobes are “closed” awaiting recovery.

Signs of Autistic Burnout
The concept of an autistic burnout has come from autobiographies, Internet support groups and clinical experience. The provisional criteria for autistic burnout, according to Higgins et al (2021) are:

Significant mental and physical exhaustion
Interpersonal withdrawal
With one or more of the following:

* Significant reduction in social, occupational, educational, academic, behavioural, or other important areas of functioning
* Confusion, difficulties with executive function and/or dissociative states
* Increased intensity of autistic traits and/or reduced capacity to camouflage/mask autistic characteristics

There can be associated features such as:

* Low self-esteem and not knowing what to do to restore mental energy levels
* Confusion as to whether the signs are indicative of a clinical depression
* Loss of self-care skills and ability to regulate emotions
* Persistent difficulties with daily living skills.

When considering whether someone has autistic burnout, it is important to review the similarities and differences between autistic burnout and depression. In comparison to the signs of depression, in autistic burnout there is increased sensory sensitivity and the need to isolate in order to recover. The current clinical and experiential wisdom is that autistic burnout is a cause of depression, and that the depression is likely to reduce if measures are taken to resolve the causes of autistic burnout.

On Friday 25th March 2022, we are holding an Autistic Girls and Women event, and autistic burnouts are one of many topics we will be covering. This presentation will celebrate the unique presentation of autistic girls and women. It will increase awareness and knowledge of the female presentation of ASD and share strategies we find useful in clinical practice. We will address key challenges, including self-understanding, adolescence, relationships and expressing and managing emotions. We will provide strategies to maximise the possibility of successful outcomes.

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/live-webcast-autistic-girls-and-women-25-march-2022/