Hello! This video discusses some general pros and cons related to autism disclosure. One particularly relevant study regarding whether it is beneficial for children to know they are autistic is the following: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13623613221086700

Other studies have looked at the experiences of self-disclosure among autistic adults: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34978025/

#autism #autismdiagnosis #disclosure #autismdisclosure #neurodivergent #mentalhealth #autismparenting #neurodivergentparent #parenting #accommodations

Hello! We are so excited to share an excerpt of our recent presentation (done as part of ASAC's Neuroaffirming Strategies in Action conference: https://www.asacdurham.com/events). Sam is a physicist and Tisha is a SLP, so neither of us are licensed to provide autism diagnoses-- this presentation is based purely out of our personal interest in the topic and working in related fields or research areas.

This presentation overviews how clinicians can set up a more collaborative and neurodiversity-affirming diagnostic process and also introduces different tools that may be useful for individuals who are exploring whether they are autistic.

#autism #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #autismdiagnosis #diagnosis #therapy #psychology #rethinkingautism #collaborative #selfdiagnosis #psychology #mentalhealth

Hello! This video aims to understand why autistic individuals (and neurodivergent individuals more generally) may develop substance dependency or addiction. In particular, it discusses how social isolation, sensory overwhelm, and other factors or gaps in support may lead to self-medicating or addiction in some instances.

I am not a mental health professional or expert on addiction, and don't personally have firsthand experience with substance use-- this video is based primarily on online research. We hope in the future to make more videos on this topic and similar topics that include firsthand perspectives and experiences.

#autism #addiction #intellectualdisabilities #neurodivergent #substanceabuse #autismandaddiction

Hello! This video discusses suggestions for finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who is a good fit, as well as "red flags" and "crimson flags" (e.g. indicators of severe concern) in therapy.

Our hope is that this video may be helpful in determining whether a therapy relationship is healthy and/or a good fit for you. I am not a mental health professional or expert, these signs are compiled based on online research and hearing from a variety of autistic individuals about their experiences in therapy.

More resources on therapy abuse can be found at TELL: https://www.therapyabuse.org/

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

4:03 - Green flags

14:19 - Red and crimson flags

#therapy #mentalhealth #abuse #autism #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #redflags #greenflags

Morénike, Jenna, and Sam discuss how to be accommodating and neurodiversity-affirming while still maintaining personal boundaries and recognizing potentially harmful behaviours. We go through several specific case studies, with an emphasis on "edge cases" where it may be difficult to distinguish between what is neurodivergence versus controlling or unhealthy behaviour.

(These are generally uncommon scenarios as neurodivergent individuals are much more likely to be the victim of abuse or controlling behaviour. However, neurodivergent people are humans and just like any other human we are capable of both wonderful and harmful actions.)

Timestamps:

0:00 : Introduction

2:07 : person prevents partner from wearing perfume

10:30 : person doesn't want partner to change their appearance

16:36 : friend frequently cancels plans due to mental health

26:45 : person doesn't "click" with autistic colleagues

45:30 : recovering from abuse where social justice was twisted into a weapon

#autism #neurodiversity #disability #abuse #abuseprevention

Hi all! This is just a very short video about the future of our channel as well as an upcoming disability-focused summer camp that Jenna and I have been creating.

One of the goals of our summer camp is to create as many sliding scale and free spots as possible (while still breaking even financially), and we are grateful for any donations: paypal.me/allneurotypes . We know that many neurodivergent children (especially those with higher support needs) often face barriers in finding inclusive summer camps, and we hope to create a summer camp that is as welcoming and inclusive as possible.

In the future of our channel, we hope to make more informational videos as well as interviews and potentially even debates! I'm hoping to start posting videos on a more regular basis as well (either every week or every other week.)

#autism #neurodiversity #disability #summercamp

I was very grateful for the opportunity to interview ChrisTiana ObeySumner today! Some of their excellent writings and work with Epiphanies of Equity can be found at their company website: https://www.christianaobeysumner.com/overviewservices

Timestamps for the video:

0:00-2:20: Introduction

2:20-8:30: The joy in intersectional identities

8:31-31:09: School-to-prison pipeline and "Ursula allies"

31:10- 48:16: Advice for mental health clinicians

#neurodivergent #neurodiversity #disabilitypride

#autistic #neurodiversity #doctor #medicine

Thank you so much to Dr. Keating for sharing her experience being an autistic doctor (and realising she is autistic later in life.)

Here is the website for Autistic Doctors International: https://autisticdoctorsinternational.com/

Timestamps:

00:00-2:45: Introduction

2:46- 15:26: Journey to realising she is autistic

15:27 - 24:45: Supports in medicine: autistic people as the "canary in the coalmine"

24:45 - 28:45: Strengths of autistic and neurodivergent doctors

28:45-31:27: Advise to other autistic doctors

#mentalhealth #schizoaffective #neurodiversity

Thank you very much to John for sharing so much experience and insight on living with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses! We also discuss inpatient psychiatric stays and the criminal justice system, and how both systems can be modified to better treat people with mental illness.

Here is a link to John's channel to learn more!: https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnnyJudoka/videos

Timestamps:

00:00-3:50: Introduction

3:51-6:59: How mental health impacts sleep

7:00- 15:00: Experience with inpatient hospitalisation

15:01- 18:01: How to improve the hospital system

18:02- 21:00: Improving the criminal justice system

21:01-23:48: Culturally competent mental healthcare

23:49- 25:15: How to be supportive

25:16- 27:21: Advice to others struggling with mental health

27:22-29:20: Jiu jitsu and mental health

#autism #socialjustice #neurodiversity #neurodivergent

I was so happy to be able to interview Jacklyn today about neurodiversity, her work, and social justice for the IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) community.

Timestamps:

00:00-00:52: Introduction

00:53- 8:41: How and why Jacklyn started B3

8:41-13:18: A no-hierarchy model and interdependence: what makes B3 different

13:19- 21:41: Including intellectual disability in the neurodiversity movement

21:42- 30:21: Key issues facing the IDD community

30:22-35:06: How Jacklyn's neurodivergence has impacted her work