Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly that you ended up not doing it at all? 

Dr. Greg Chasson is a leading authority on transforming compulsive and impulsive behaviors and the author of "Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.” While it is true that many characteristics of perfectionism are often present in autistic populations, Dr. Chasson joins us to share more broadly the ways that perfectionism shows up to some degree in all of us, and how families, social media and culture reinforce these tendencies. We discuss concepts like process paralysis, avoidance, and ritualistic behaviors associated with perfectionism and explore valuable tools such as exposure therapy to help interrupt self sabotaging patterns and Dr. Chasson’s “emphasis framework” to help you finally break free of the burden of having to do everything perfectly. 

LINKS: 

Connect with Dr. Greg Chasson 

Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management by Greg Chasson, PhD

Join the Flawed:Live workshop 

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Aspiritech - Chicago based company helping autistic professionals

As the conversation around autism gets mainstreamed, some people become more understanding when they recognize stereotypical behaviors in public, but what happens when autism is not as noticeable from the outside?  

Dr. Dena Gassner shares what many families experience, simultaneously navigating school systems for her autistic child (who presented in a more classic way and diagnosed early) while also integrating her own diagnosis (which came much later due to the internalizing nature of her autism). Dena shares the three stages a person goes through when they receive a late diagnosis, the importance of learning how to advocate for your sensory needs, and the disappointment of having your behaviors misunderstood just because you don’t present as expected externally. Dena shares valuable insights on the IACC and what is most important to focus on when forging the road ahead for autism research, services, policy, and support. 

LINKS: 

Connect with Dr. Dena Gassner 

Join the Center for Understanding Facebook group 

Learn More: 

AJ Drexel Autism Institute’s Social Connections and Treatment Lab

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

Jordan Zimmerman’s CommunicationFIRST 

We often hear how a diagnosis of autism can be a relief, especially for those diagnosed later in life, but what happens when the treatment plan that follows the diagnosis actually makes you worse? 

Dr. Angela Kingdon shares with us the winding journey following her diagnosis at age 39, including how traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy created new challenges, her experience with autistic burnout, and what finally helped her regain control of her life. Angela provides incredible insights for newly diagnosed individuals on how to navigate the “Autism Wars” and how to find the right healthcare provider. Angela highlights the importance of community and co-regulation for autistic individuals and discusses how her organization, Autistic Culture Podcast Network, is addressing some of autism’s “marketing problem.” 

LINKS: 

Connect with Dr. Angela Kingdon 

Am I Actually Autistic? By Angela Kingdon

Join the community at The Autistic Culture Podcast

Learn More: 

Autscape

AuRetreats 

Neuroclastic 

Dr. Mary Doherty’s Autistic Doctors International 

Ehlers-Danlos Society Healthcare Provider Directory 

Other Book Recommendations:

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman  

Your child just received a diagnosis of autism, now what? Much of the information out there continues to be focused on fixing deficits, but ignores something more important that might actually unlock hidden potential: their strengths. 

Clain Udy joins us to share his journey with his son Christian, which begins as many parents’ journeys do and transforms into a period of exploration that became the inspiration for his book Rebranding Autism. He talks about a pivotal and heart breaking moment that made it clear to him that in order to give Christian a chance at success, they had to go against everything they believed about autism. Clain shares the importance of rebranding autism at home first, and how this can help families navigate systems not built for autistic children. We discuss the strengths-first approach in his First Ascent program, which helps young adults on the spectrum (and their parents) identify a path forward into adulthood. 

LINKS: 

Connect with Clain Udy at Autism Elevated 

Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum by Clain Udy

Learn More: 

First Ascent Program

Other Book Recommendations: 

First, Break All The Rules by Gallup Press 

Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Don Clifton

The Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

There is an outdated belief that autism is only a diagnosis of childhood, so what happens when the diagnostic systems that providers depend on cannot capture the reality of lived experience? 

Dr. Sarah Wayland joins us to share her experience, both personally and professionally, as to how autism may present differently than expected and lead to misdiagnosis and delayed care. She shares her experiences while co-authoring “Is This Autism?“ highlighting the importance of asking autistic individuals their perspectives so as to update our collective understanding of how best to support them. Dr. Wayland offers insights on the evolution of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) as well as how Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) can offer much needed support for parents to help them learn how to better understand and guide their children toward success. 

LINKS: 

Connect with Dr. Sarah Wayland at Guiding Exceptional Parents 

Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else By Donna Henderson, Sarah Wayland & Jamell White

Learn More:

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)

Other Book Recommendations: 

Look Me In The Eye by John Elder Robinson

The Complete Guide To Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood

The Explosive Child by Ross Greene

Raising Human Beings by Ross Greene