In this eye-opening episode of Real Mental Health, Dr. Mike Mah welcomes child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Meghan Jain, an expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They dive deep into what autism is, how it's diagnosed and evaluated, and why it's so often missed, especially in women and girls.

Dr. Jain clarifies the DSM criteria for autism, explaining social communication differences and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. You'll learn about masking, sensory sensitivities, and fixated interests, and how these present differently across various populations.

The doctors also tackle critical questions:

• What does an autism evaluation entail for children and adults?
• What are the latest statistics on autism prevalence, and why are diagnoses increasing?
• What treatments are available, including medications like guanfacine and Abilify for managing irritability and agitation?
• How does autism overlap with other conditions like ADHD and social anxiety?
• Discover the incredible strengths and unique abilities often found in autistic individuals, including the concept of savant syndrome.
• The episode also explores the neurodiversity movement, challenging the traditional view of autism as a "disorder" and promoting understanding and accommodation.

If you or a loved one are navigating an autism diagnosis, or simply want to learn more from trusted experts, this episode provides invaluable, evidence-based information to separate fact from fiction.

Key Timestamps:

• 0:00:00 Introduction & Understanding Autism
• 0:01:00 Meeting Dr. Meghan Jain: A Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Expert
• 0:02:45 What is Autism? DSM Criteria Explained
• 0:05:00 Social Communication & Interaction Deficits
• 0:06:00 Repetitive Behaviors, Interests & Sensory Aspects (Stimming, Echolalia)
• 0:09:30 Diagnosing Autism in Children: Evaluation Process
• 0:13:20 Rising Autism Prevalence: CDC Stats & Less Stigma
• 0:15:00 Autism in Women & Girls: The Phenomenon of Masking
• 0:28:00 Autism Treatment: Medications for Comorbid Conditions (Guanfacine, Abilify)
• 0:41:50 Akathisia: A Key Side Effect of Abilify to Watch For
• 0:42:50 Risk Factors for Autism & Genetic Components
• 0:51:00 Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ABA, Occupational Therapy, Vocational Training)
• 0:57:30 Autism & ADHD Overlap: Similarities & Differences
• 1:03:00 Autism & Social Anxiety: Understanding the Nuances
• 1:07:00 The Neurodiversity Movement: Celebrating Brain Differences
• 1:13:00 Strengths & "Superpowers" of Autistic Individuals (Savant Syndrome)
• 1:17:00 Why is Autism So Popular on Social Media? (TikTok Misinformation)
• 1:22:00 Audience Questions: Disclosing Autism in Relationships & Work
• 1:32:00 Asperger's Syndrome Explained
• 1:33:00 Fact or Fiction: Common Autism Myths Debunked
• 1:38:00 Autism, Empathy & Alexithymia
• 1:42:00 Finding a Trustworthy Psychiatrist for Autism Evaluation

Connect with Ocean Bay Psychiatry:

• Website: OceanBayPsych.com

#AutismSpectrum #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #MentalHealth #ChildPsychiatry