
autism support
Common Topics:
-
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)
-
-
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
-
Trans / Neuroqueer
-
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
What are common misdiagnoses?
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
Individual therapy

-
Exploration of neurodivergent experience and identity
-
Prioritization of sensory safety
-
Exploration of sensory triggers
-
Exploration of self-soothing strategies ("stims") to better support your nervous system
-
-
Identification of support needs and everyday accommodations
-
Clinical support identifying traits meeting autism diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-5 in order to pursue a medical diagnosis
family therapy

-
Support to caregivers of Autistic children
-
Development of strategies to support Autistic children, including:
-
Managing and responding to after-school restraint collapse
-
Navigating challenges in understanding and communication
-
Consultation

-
Neurodiversity-affirming strategies for the home, classroom, and/or workplace
-
Referral to other neurodiversity-affirming service providers when available
-
Speech therapists
-
Occupational therapists
-
Education advocates
-
neurodiversity-affirming services

Created by Autism_Sketches. Visit their Instagram for more info!