Common Topics:

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• Autistic identity

  • Late diagnosis​

  • Self-diagnosis

  • Special interests

  • Stims

  • Masking/camouflaging

    • Anxiety​

    • Depression

    • Dissociation

    • Substance use

    • Suicidality

  • Pathological demand avoidance

  • Co-occurring conditions

    • ADHD​

    • Hypermobility

  • Accessing community
     

• Social constructs
   

• Communication

  • Relationship challenges​

  • Augmentative & alternative communication (AAC)

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• Executive functioning

  • Planning, organizing, & following through ​with tasks

  • Time management

  • Attention

  • Flexibility
     

• Differences in internal experience

  • Interoception: challenges recognizing and interpreting internal cues related to hunger, thirst, tiredness, and other sensations

  • Alexithymia: challenges feeling/identifying/ interpreting emotions

  • Neuroception: how our brains interpret cues of safety and danger

    • Emotional regulation​

    • Meltdowns

    • Shutdowns

    • Burnout (prevention & recovery)
       

• Gender identity and expression​

  • Gender diversity​

  • Trans / Neuroqueer

  • 2SLGBTQQIA+
     

• Trauma​

  • Sensory trauma​

  • Complex PTSD and PTSD

  • Interpersonal violence 

  • Systemic trauma experienced in schools, workplaces, and the community

  • Impact of mental health /behavior management strategies, including parents' parenting practices

    • ABA, behaviorism​

    • Behavior modifcation

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy
       

• Ableism and discrimination​

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What are common misdiagnoses?

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Many autistic people experiencing having their behaviors and thought patterns interpreted as other types of disorders. This happens at a greater frequency among BIPOC and AFAB folks. Common misdiagnoses include:
 

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Borderline personality disorder

• Disordered eating / eating disorders

• Obsessive compulsive disorder

• Most common for BIPOC and AFAB folks​ to experience this