Patrick Casale joins me for a discussion about neurodivergence, the misconceptions surrounding ADHD and Autism, and treatment considerations in therapy work. We delve into the stereotypes around neurodiversity, therapeutic considerations when working with neurodivergent clients and resources to work more effectively with this population. We explore how lived experience can be a powerful tool in working with neurodiverse clients, but it's not a requirement for effective work. This episode is a complex yet very interesting discussion about neurodiversity. If you're going to work with these populations, you really do have to understand the differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent, brain development communication styles, the ways that people process information, and the ways that people communicate.
"If any psychologist or therapist is saying, You're quote, unquote, too high functioning to be ADHD, or autistic, that's just another form of ableism. And it's another form of discrimination because what you're saying is that on the outside, your appearance is based on your productivity. And your ability to be in the workforce or obtain higher education means that you do not qualify for this diagnosis, which is just one, complete garbage, and two, it's just firmly rooted in this discriminatory mentality of like, there's only one way that autism ADHD shows up for people. And so when we think about stereotypical ADHD, what do we initially think about as a society, probably like, young white cis het boys who are disruptive, who can't pay attention, who maybe get into a lot of behavioral issues in class. If we think about autism, I know that when I was going through my own discovery, a lot of the internalized ableism that I had was like I am too high functioning to be autistic." - Patrick Casale
Here are the key takeaways:
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Outdated and discriminatory stereotypes around neurodivergence and the negative impact it has on clients.
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Neurodivergent individuals often have deeply rooted, negative experiences and struggles that therapists need to understand to avoid contributing to the ableism and gatekeeping that is so prevalent in our society.
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Therapists working with neurodivergent clients should be open to understanding their unique perspectives, experiences, and communication styles to provide more supportive and effective therapy.
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Therapists should actively seek out resources and training from credible neurodivergent voices. Many experts in the field offer free resources, podcasts, social media content, and affordable training sessions that can enhance therapists' understanding of neurodivergence.
About the Guest:
Patrick Casale is an AuDHD Licensed Clinical Mental Health and Addictions Therapist in Asheville, NC.. He is the owner of All Things Private Practice and Resilient Mind Counseling. Patrick works as a Private Practice Coach and Strategist, and is also a Group Practice Owner, Motivational Speaker, International Retreat Planner, the host of All Things Private Practice Podcast, and Co-Host of Divergent Conversations Podcast. His work has helped and inspired thousands of mental health professionals to take risks, start and grow their businesses, and invest in themselves. He has been featured on Private Practice Startup, Abundance Practice Building, Therapy Reimagined, Not Your Typical Psychotherapist, Selling The Couch, and Modern Therapists. Patrick is a passionate advocate for reducing shame and stigma of mental health, as well as impostor syndrome. Patrick helps mental health entrepreneurs break the mold, work through their fears and insecurities, and to embrace their Authenticity. He loves good coffee, craft beer, playing soccer, and traveling the world. Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway has become his official motto.
Connect with Patrick Casale:
Divergentpod.com
Atppod.com
Allthingspractice.com
instagram.com/allthingsprivatepractice
https://www.facebook.com/groups/privatepracticebuilding
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