The All Neurotypes Office

Hello! I was very grateful for the chance to interview my friend Stephanie, a neurotypical occupational therapist and co-founder of the nonprofit Therafriends: https://www.therafriendscommunity.org/. I have personally been fascinated by trying to understand what it is like to be neurotypical for quite awhile, and I appreciated Stephanie's willingness to answer several of my questions on life as a neurotypical person. She also shared why she is passionate about neurodiversity and how neurotypical individuals may also benefit from a neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Timestamps:

0:00-0:43: Introduction

0:44 - 6:33: When did you realize you were neurotypical?

6:34 - 10:57: What are interests/hobbies like as a neurotypical person?

10:58 - 16:13: Small talk and extroversion vs. introversion

16:14 - 22:20: How did you learn unwritten social rules?

22:21 - 25:53: In an alternate universe where neurotypical people were a minority, what accommodations would be helpful?

25:53 - 29:55: How neurodiversity helps neurotypical people too

#neurodivergence #neurotypical #autistic #autism #actuallyautistic #neurodivergent #disability #disabilityjustice #mentalhealth #interviews #occupationaltherapy

Hello! This video is on autism and invisible health conditions-- in particular, autism and postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) as well as autism and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I attempt to give a (layperson's!) overview of POTS and EDS, their diagnostic criteria, discuss how they each overlap with autism. I also share some personal thoughts on why diagnosis of medical conditions can be a relief/positive, why it is valuable for society to accept and understand fluctuating disabilities and part-time use of mobility aids, and general barriers autistic people might experience in accessing healthcare.

References (in progress):

1. The Relationship between Autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7711487/

2. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (MayoClinic): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362125#:~:text=Ehlers%2DDanlos%20syndrome%20is%20a,underlying%20structures%20in%20your%20body.

3. Neurodivergent People More Likely To Experience Pain due to Hypermobility: https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/news/2022/02-02-neurodivergent-people-more-likely-to-experience-pain-due-to-hypermobility.aspx

4. Autonomic Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8756818/

5. Poor Man's Tilt Table Test: https://normalyte.com/blogs/news/the-poor-mans-tilt-table-test?srsltid=AfmBOopzPr-WYqu5jg1qSqwV7c345nuIxY6I6EBPkJsxIcKo_0YBK613

Timestamps:

00:00-2:07: Introduction

2:08-3:27: Why diagnoses can be a relief

3:27-5:24: What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS)?

5:25 - 8:47: Delays and at-home tests for POTS

8:48 - 10:30: What helps with POTS?

10:35 - 12:34: Understanding fluctuating disabilities and mobility aids

12:35 - 13:20: POTS and autism

13:21 - 14:31: What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?

14:32 - 17:11: Unique overlap between autism and EDS

17:12 - 21:40: EDS diagnostic criteria and hypermobility tests

21:41 - 23:50: Autism and general healthcare barriers

#autism #neurodiversity #pots #posturalorthostatictachycardiasyndrome #ehlersdanlos #ehlersdanlossyndrome #invisibleillness #disability #neurodivergence #disabilitypride

Hello all! It was wonderful to have the chance to interview Tanisha Jarvis (https://www.tanishajarvisma.com/about). Tanisha is neurodivergent and has worked as a consultant for CAMS-Care as a suicidologist centering BIPOC/LGBTQ+ suicidality.

I found Tanisha through an excellent article on autism and suicide prevention, and was very eager to hear her thoughts on a variety of questions related to autism and suicide prevention. The interview covers risk factors for suicidality and suicidality in marginalized groups, experiences and suicidality for neurodivergent homeless individuals, unique considerations for autistic individuals who are experiencing suicidality (rumination, benefits of unconventional support systems, and importance of direct questions), and more.

Timestamps:

0:00-2:29: Background in suicidology

2:29 - 4:50: Advice to autistic individuals who are struggling

4:51 - 6:50: Benefit of direct questions in suicide prevention

6:51- 8:28: Unconventional support systems

8:29 - 10:30 : Autism and homelessness

10:31 - 13:37: Risk factors, rumination, and signs of suicide in autism

13:38- 15:05: Additional thoughts

#suicide #suicideprevention #autism #autistic #neurodivergent #mentalhealth #support #suicidality #neurodivergence #homelessness

Hello! Thank you so much for watching this video on psychosis and neurodiversity, and in particular what a neurodiversity-affirming approach to psychosis and schizophrenia looks like.

References:

1.) Pain empathy in schizophrenia: https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/11/5/783/1753435

2.) Myth of schizophrenia and violence: https://www.healthline.com/health/schizophrenia/are-schizophrenics-violent

3.) Factors that hinder care seeking: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6538479/#:~:text=Theme%3A%20When%20psychotic%20experiences%20are,can%20make%20sense%20of%20them.

Timestamps:

Introduction: 00:00-3:19

Unique insights into reality, subjectivity: 3:20-5:49

Psychosis and empathy: 5:50-7:15

Canaries in the coal mine: 7:15-10:42

Violence and Psychosis (Myth 1): 10:43-17:50

Psychosis is caused by substance use (Myth 2): 17:51- 18:53

Psychosis always means schizophrenia (Myth 3): 18:54-24:15

Is psychosis always distressing? 24:16- 25:54

Accommodations: 25:54-28:50

#neurodiversity #schizophrenia #psychosis #autism #autistic #schizoaffective #schizotypal #mentalhealth

Hi all- thank you very much for taking the time to watch our video on the case of Robert Roberson, who is currently facing execution this October. This video discusses Mr. Roberson's case and our reasons for believing that he is likely innocent, as well as autism and the death penalty more generally.

We wanted to make this video quickly given the time-sensitive nature of it. We have done our best to convey details accurately, but want to note that we are neither medical nor legal professionals and all opinions are our own. We have included below links with additional specifics of the case.

More information about Shaken Baby Syndrome can be found here: https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/innocence-network/12c46af9-9bf7-48fc-a731-a01b3425ced3_STATEMENT-OF-THE-INNOCENCE-NETWORK-ON-SHAKEN-BABY-SYNDROME-6.14.19-1+%281%29.pdf

More information about Mr. Roberson's case can be found in these links:

1.) https://innocenceproject.org/robert-robersons-attorneys-asks-courts-to-reopen-his-actual-innocence-case-before-oct-17-execution/

2.) https://innocenceproject.org/what-to-know-about-robert-roberson-on-texas-death-row-for-a-crime-that-never-occurred/

3.) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/opinion/deathy-penalty-texas.html

A petition for Mr. Roberson can be found here: https://innocenceproject.org/petitions/justice-for-robert-roberson/

#autism #disability #disabilityjustice #autistic #disabilityadvocacy #criminaljustice #death

Timestamps:

00:00-1:30: Introduction

1:31-3:59: Shaken Baby Syndrome

4:00- 7:50: Nikki's overlooked medical history

7:51- 9:37: Why Mr. Roberson's autism was viewed as suspicious

9:38 - 13:53: A note on changing science, what the science says now

13:52 - 17:36: Disability and the legal system in general

17:37 - 19:44: What can you do?

19:45- 22:00: The need for adaptation and compassion

22:01 - 24:07: Are we sure that Mr. Roberson is innocent?

It was wonderful to have the chance to interview Kevin Naidu and Chael Nel, both Clinical Psychologists from Spectrum Center (https://spectrumcentre.co.za/) about a variety of topics. In particular, we discussed autistic burnout and the distinction between burnout in autism and depression. We also discussed the unique needs of late-diagnosed autistic individuals and therapy for late-diagnosed autistic individuals as well as neurodiversity-affirming therapy and environmental adaptations more generally.

#therapy #autism #autistic #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #burnout #autisticburnout #latediagnosedautistic #masking

Timestamps:

00:00-4:29: What draws you to work with autistic people?

4:30- 8:50: What are unique needs of late-diagnosed autistic individuals?

8:51 - 16:50: Supporting people with autistic burnout

16:51 - 21:15: What does a neurodiversity-affirming approach mean to you?

21:16 - 26:28: Effective vs. less effective therapy approaches

26:29 - 37:23: Environmental adaptations and burnout prevention

Hello all! I was very grateful to have the chance to interview my friend Shayla on her experience growing up as a neurodivergent individual with anxiety in an environment that didn't have a strong understanding of neurodiversity. This interview discusses ADHD, anxiety, experiences with therapy (both positives and negatives), and what growing up in a very religious environment with mental health conditions was like. Shayla is also a musician, so we discuss neurodivergence, mental health, and music!

Timestamps:

0:00-0:25: Intro

0:26 - 3:55: Experiences growing up, anxiety

3:56 - 8:00: Impact of a religious environment

8:01 - 14:15: Experiences with therapy as an adult

14:16 - 24:26: Realization of ADHD in adulthood, positives

24:27 - 39:00: Music and mental health

39:01-41:25: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

#adhd #adhdwomen #autism #neurodivergent #neurodivergence #neurodiversity #anxiety #therapy #mentalhealth

Hello all! I was thrilled to have the chance to interview Janelle last week-- the interview goes through a few different topics, such as inclusive care for autistic patients, improving quality of care for Black autistic individuals, and unique considerations for perinatal care in particular that might be relevant for autistic patients. Janelle also discusses more generally what it is like to be an autistic therapist and the concept of fluorishing in marginalized communities; and outlines some common first steps that might help individuals who are currently struggling.

Timestamps:

00:00-3:20: How did you become interested in mental health and neurodiversity?

3:21-9:55: Autistic patients, pregnancy, and perinatal care

9:56-15:00: Flourishing within marginalized groups

15:01-18:20: First steps to flourishing

18:21-20:56: Increasing quality of healthcare for Black autistic individuals

20:57-25:32: Suggestions for non-autistic clinicians working with autistic patients

#autism #neurodivergent #mentalhealthcare #perinatal #perinatalmentalhealth #postpartumhealth #neurodiversity #autistic #flourishing

Hello! This video is on therapy harm and therapy abuse, with some discussion towards the end about considerations that might be particularly relevant for neurodivergent patients.

Each instance of therapy abuse and therapy harm is unique and therapy (as well as any human interaction) can be a nuanced and multifaceted topic, so unfortunately it isn't possible to convey every aspect of it in this video. The goal is to overview some more common themes in how therapy harm impacts patients, with a focus on therapy harm involving dual relationships (i.e. excessive self-disclosure/social relationships with patients, professional dual relationships), dismissive reactions, and some discussion of financial or sexual abuse in therapy. I am not at all an expert on all of these areas, but have used the following sources combined with anecdotal stories (for some of these areas) to make the video:

References:

1.) TELL (Therapy Exploitation Link Line): https://therapyabuse.org/topics.htm

2.) Understanding how therapy abuse can severely impact survivor's mental health: https://www.jennerlawfirm.com/blog/understanding-how-therapist-abuse-can-severely-affect-victims-mental-health/

3.) https://kspope.com/sexiss/sexencyc.php

4.) Therapy Harm, Natalie Russ: https://www.natalierusspsyd.com/therapy-harm

0:00-1:43: Introduction

1:44-9:29: Loss of control

9:30-12:59: Difficulty trusting others

13:00-15:36: Commodification of self

15:37-19:14: Guilt, uncertainty

19:15-21:07: Isolation, pressure to keep quiet

21:08-24:27: Ambivalence, internal conflict

24:28-32:07: Neurodivergence, autism, and therapy harm

#abuseprevention #therapyabuse #therapyharm #mentalhealth #therapy #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #exploitation #trauma #recovery

Hello! This video is focused on autism and forgiveness (both forgiving others and forgiving oneself). There doesn't seem to be much research out there on this specific topic, so this video is primarily based on a couple of somewhat related articles as well as anecdotal experiences!

Timestamps:

0:00 -1:10: Introduction

1:11- 7:08: Justice sensitivity and moralizing

7:09- 9:39: Uncertainty

9:40- 12:55- Monotropism and pain

12:56-17:17- Potential memory differences

17:18 - 18:59- “Forgiveness overload”

19:00 - 23:23- Different aspects of forgiveness

#autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #mentalhealth #mentalhealth #monotropism #autismandforgiveness