As I think about ringing in the new year, I found happiness in the hope I feel for the new year. It no secret that 2020 was a wild year. It often felt like life was completely turned upside down. Suddenly my familiar routines and activities became impossible and I was left to figure out the new normal of social distancing. However, despite all the craziness, I carried on and found a new normal at home. Of course, many of my neurodiverse clients did the same. Their resilience during this past year is profound and inspiring.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Our Lives Caused Anxiety & Depression for Many Neurodiverse Individuals
I know many teens and adults on the spectrum struggled with the abrupt changes caused by COVID-19. All of a sudden your routines and the security they provided were not accessible to you. Perhaps, you experienced anxiety and ruminated over the possibility of contracting the virus and falling ill. Perhaps, the uncertainty of what will happen next is making you nervous. Maybe, you’re frustrated by being home with your family. Or, struggle to pay attention while working or learning from home. Or maybe you’re experiencing depression due to the increased loneliness they’re experiencing as a result of the pandemic.
Many Parents with Twice-Exceptional Teens Struggled With The Changes Too
Likewise, many autism parents are anxious about their child retaining the social skills and progress they made prior to the pandemic. And, many are also exhausted from homeschooling and being confined to their homes with their neurodiverse teen. Perhaps, their teen is struggling with the boundaries they have been given as they learn from home this year and the tension at home and their meltdowns have become almost unbearable.
Despite the Craziness of 2020, We Persevered.
However distressing these feelings are, one thing I’ve noticed amongst my clients is profound resilience and perseverance. Although 2020 was challenging, to say the least, they kept making progress towards achieving their personal goals. Although life has certainly thrown some curveballs lately, they keep making progress in autism therapy and autism group therapy. Many neurodiverse individuals thrive on routines and structure, so changes in their life are scary and hard to accept. However, my clients overcame their apprehension and made it through 2020. I deeply admire their strength. It shows that often as individuals, we’re capable of so much more than we ever thought. We can do hard things and rise above challenges.
Online Autism Therapy and Online Group Therapy Works!
As an autism therapist, I was apprehensive about offering my autism therapy services online. After all, part of autism therapy involves learning and practicing social skills. But, I was thrilled to learn that online autism therapy and group therapy works really well for my clients. It has also allowed me to offer our therapy services to individuals throughout the state of California.
There Are Many Benefits of Online Therapy for Neurodiverse Individuals
Online therapy has been really helpful for a number of neurodiverse individuals. It makes getting therapy even easier and more accessible for many adults and parents. Now, they don’t have to worry about being late due to a traffic jam or work keeping them longer than they anticipated. Plus, being able to attend therapy from the comfort of their home helps them be vulnerable and open up to their therapist or the members of their social skills group. It also allows us as therapists to see our clients in their own environment and share their special interests or meet the pets and individuals that are a big part of their support system. Another cool thing about online group therapy has been seeing my clients connect and empathize with each other over a virtual platform. Going online has not impacted group dynamics or relationships.
Our Online Autism Therapy Services
If you live in California and are struggling, we offer several autism therapies and autism group therapy options for high-functioning neurodiverse individuals. It’s okay to admit you need help and support. Or perhaps, you’re just looking for a place where you feel like you fit in and are accepted. We can provide that for you. My sincere hope is that my team can offer you or your loved one a safe place to express yourself and address the concerns that matter most to you.
Our team of autism therapists offers individual autism therapy, autism parent coaching, autism family therapy, and a variety of social skills groups. Currently, we’re offering autism group therapy for twice-exceptional teens and their caregivers, neurodiverse women, college students with autism, neurodiverse professionals with autism, and autism parents.
Begin Online Autism Therapy in California:
If you’re looking for online autism therapy services in 2021 and are curious about the many ways we can help you or your autistic teen thrive, then we would love to connect with you. To begin therapy, follow these steps:
- Contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation using this link. You will meet with one of our therapists.
- Like us on Facebook. On our page, we post useful information about our practice
- Sign up to receive our newsletter.
Autism Therapy Services offered at Open Doors Therapy:
Our autism therapy clinic located in the South Bay Area serves teens and adults on the autism spectrum. We help high functioning individuals who identify as having Aspergers, high functioning autism, undiagnosed autism traits, and their families.
Right now, we are providing all our autism counseling services online. Our autism therapists offer a variety of counseling services including individual counseling for autistic teens and adults, parent counseling, and group therapy. Also, we run several different social skills groups for neurodiverse working professionals, college students with autistic traits, gifted youth & caregivers, neurodiverse adults, women who identify as neurodiverse, a summer social skills college transition training program for youth transitioning to college, teens & caregivers, and a mothers group. Contact our autism therapy office for more information on our services or to schedule a consultation.
About the Author
Dr. Tasha Oswald is a trained developmental and clinical psychologist. She is also is the founder and director of Open Doors Therapy, a private practice specializing in autism therapy services in the South Bay Area, near San Francisco, CA. Dr. Oswald specializes in helping neurodiverse teens and adults and facilitating social skills groups.
