The History of Autism and it's Levels of Support Needs

The Atypical View, we understand for many late diagnosed autistic individuals, knowing your level can be a helpful tool when advocating for services, accommodations, therapy, or coaching. Someone who is technically Level 1 might still need substantial support on certain days or in certain settings. Supporting authenticity and flexibility helps make the levels more useful rather than limiting. Those supports should be responsive, individualized, and rooted in a respectful, strength-based lens of neurodiversity. 

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

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You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

Research:

American Psychiatric Association. (1952-2022).
 Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders  (1st–5th ed., text rev.; DSM-I–DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.53053/UUXK4243

Weitlauf, A. S., Gotham, K. O., Vehorn, A. C., & Warren, Z. E. (2014).
 Brief report: DSM-5 “levels of support”: A comment on discrepant conceptualizations of severity in ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(2), 471–476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1882-z

Rosen, N. E., Lord, C., & Volkmar, F. R. (2021).
 The diagnosis of autism: From Kanner to DSM-III to DSM-5 and beyond. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(12), 4253–4270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04904-1

Zeldovich, L. (2018). The evolution of ‘autism’ as a diagnosis, explained. Spectrum. https://doi.org/10.53053/UUXK4243

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Supporting Dissociation Through Nervous System Regulation

Dissociation can be understood as a temporary disconnection from thoughts, emotions, sensations, or identity. It is the nervous system’s way of protecting us when an experience feels too overwhelming to process in the moment. While it can feel distressing, dissociation often begins as a survival response, not a flaw. At The Atypical View, we modify nervous system regulation tools to meet each neurodiverse client’s unique sensory profile before integrating personalized dissociation support.

Healing begins not with forcing presence, but with creating safety in the body. From there, mindfulness becomes less of a task, and more of a return to self.

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

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Research:

 Levin, K. K., Gornish, A., & Quigley, L. (2022). Mindfulness and depersonalization: A nuanced relationship. Mindfulness, 13(6), 1479–1489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01890-y

 Poquérusse, J., Pastore, L., Dellantonio, S., & Esposito, G. (2018). Alexithymia and autism spectrum disorder: A complex relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1196. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01196

Stephen W. Porges. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company. https://doi.org/10.1037/2011-04659-000

Vancappel, A., Hingray, C., Reveillère, C., & El-Hage, W. (2023). Disentangling the link between mindfulness and dissociation in PTSD: The mediating role of attention and emotional acceptance.Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 25(1), 52–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2023.2231907

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Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

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The Power of Special Interests in Autism:

Special interests are one of the most unique and meaningful parts of autism. While often misunderstood by the broader public, they bring joy, stability, and identity to autistic individuals. For many late diagnosed autistic adults, recognizing their special interests as a strength rather than a flaw is a life changing moment. At The Atypical View, we believe these passions are not something to fix but something to celebrate.

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

You can find Bobby:

@LugosiTheatre on TikTok

or

@LugosiTheatre on Instagram

or

@LugosiTheatre on Youtube

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

The ARC:

https://thearc.org/

Haunters Against Hate:

https://www.hauntersagainsthate.com/

Don't Be A Monster:

https://www.dontbeamonster.org/

Research:

Arunachalam, S., Steele, A., Pelletier, T., & Luyster, R. J. (2024). Do focused interests support word learning? A study with autistic and nonautistic children. Autism Research, 17(5), 955-971. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3121

Bross, L. A., Huffman, J. M., & Hagiwara, M. (2022). Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 57, 289-305. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221218

Grove, R., Hoekstra, R. A., Wierda, M., & Begeer, S. (2018). Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults. Autism Research, 11(5), 766-775. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1931

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Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References

The book mentioned in todays episode can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/4mKvfwc

Hershfield, J., & Corboy, T. (2013). The mindfulness workbook for OCD: A guide to overcoming obsessions and compulsions using mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. New Harbinger Publications.

Jassi, A., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Russell, A., Krebs, G., Mataix-Cols, D., & Heyman, I. (2021). An evaluation of a new autism-adapted cognitive behaviour therapy manual for adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 52(5), 916–927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01066-6

International OCPD Foundation. (n.d.). OCD vs. OCPD: What’s the difference? OCPD.org. https://www.ocpd.org/articles/ocd-vs-ocpd

Support the show

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

You can find Sabrina

@Saaaabs on Instagram

or

@Sabs on TikTok

and donate to Border Angels here:

https://www.borderangels.org/

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References

Aylward, B. S., Gal-Szabo, D. E., & Taraman, S. (2021). Racial, ethnic, and sociodemographic disparities in diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 42(8), 682–689. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000996

 Liu, B. M., Paskov, K., Kent, J., et al. (2023). Racial and ethnic disparities in geographic access to autism resources across the U.S. JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2251182. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51182

 Lin, J. D., Wu, C. Y., & Lee, T. L. (2023). Predictors of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD: Sociodemographic factors and shared risk mechanisms. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(8), 1023–1036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2023.03.015

Support the show

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References:

 Cognitive disengagement syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An examination of relationships with alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties. Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2024 Aug 1:1-7. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2385444. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39087375.

Kinnaird E, Stewart C, Tchanturia K. Investigating alexithymia in autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Psychiatry. 2019;55:80-89. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.09.004Yılmaz Y, Bahadır E.

Trevisan DA, Mehling WE, McPartland JC. Adaptive and Maladaptive Bodily Awareness: Distinguishing Interoceptive Sensibility and Interoceptive Attention from Anxiety-Induced Somatization in Autism and Alexithymia. Autism Res. 2021 Feb;14(2):240-247. doi: 10.1002/aur.2458. Epub 2020 Dec 18. PMID: 33336935.

(this last one is more theoretical than an empirical study, but unfortunately there is little research being done around neurodivergence and somatics at this time, still an interesting read (: ) 

Fiene L, Brownlow C. Investigating interoception and body awareness in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res. 2015 Dec;8(6):709-16. doi: 10.1002/aur.1486. Epub 2015 Mar 25. PMID: 25808391.

Support the show

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References:

• Cridland EK, Jones SC, Caputi P, Magee CA. Being a girl in a boys' world: investigating the experiences of girls with autism spectrum disorders during adolescence. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014 Jun;44(6):1261-74. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1985-6. PMID: 24221816.
• Rynkiewicz A, Łucka I. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in girls. Co-occurring psychopathology. Sex differences in clinical manifestation. Psychiatr Pol. 2018 Aug 24;52(4):629-639. English, Polish. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/58837. Epub 2018 Aug 24. PMID: 30368533.
• Simply Psychology. Autism in women and girls: Why is it often diagnosed late? 
  https://www.simplypsychology.org/late-diagnosis-autism-female.html
  
  
• Nerenberg, J. (2020). Divergent minds: Thriving in a world that wasn't designed for you. HarperOne.
  https://amzn.to/4gh67vJ
  
  
  

Support the show

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References:

Hull, L., Petrides, K.V. & Mandy, W. The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 7, 306–317 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9

Milton, D. E. M. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The ‘double empathy problem’. Disability & Society, 27(6), 883–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.710008

Weston L, Hodgekins J, Langdon PE. Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy with people who have autistic spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2016 Nov;49:41-54. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.08.001. Epub 2016 Aug 4. PMID: 27592496.

Support the show

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

You can support the podcast here v

Support Us Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470563/support

You can find me:

@ www.TheAtypicalView.com to get started with therapy or coaching services.

or 

@TheAtypicalView on Instagram 

While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

References:

• Raymaker, Dora & Teo, Alan & Steckler, Nicole & Lentz, Brandy & Scharer, Mirah & Santos, Austin & Kapp, Steven & Hunter, Morrigan & Joyce, Andee & Nicolaidis, Christina. (2020). “Having All of Your Internal Resources Exhausted Beyond Measure and Being Left with No Clean-Up Crew”: Defining Autistic Burnout. Autism in Adulthood. 2. 10.1089/aut.2019.0079. 
• Hull L, Petrides KV, Allison C, Smith P, Baron-Cohen S, Lai MC, Mandy W. "Putting on My Best Normal": Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions. J Autism Dev Disord. 2017 Aug;47(8):2519-2534. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5. PMID: 28527095; PMCID: PMC5509825.
• Mantzalas J, Richdale AL, Adikari A, Lowe J, Dissanayake C. What Is Autistic Burnout? A Thematic Analysis of Posts on Two Online Platforms. Autism Adulthood. 2022 Mar 1;4(1):52-65. doi: 10.1089/aut.2021.0021. Epub 2022 Mar 9. PMID: 36605565; PMCID: PMC8992925.

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