When your loved ones receive a late-life Autism diagnosis, it can be an overwhelming and confusing time for them. They are now able to make sense of their life experiences in a new way. You may also be coming to terms with the diagnosis for yourself, but it is important to remember that this is a time of celebration and understanding for your loved ones.…
Exploring Must-Read Books and Resources for Those Interested In Learning More About Autism in Adulthood
Often at Open Doors Therapy, we are asked what we are interested in reading. Or what’s on our bookshelf when it comes to books about Autism. Sometimes, we are even asked what resources our clients have told us to look into or found helpful. We firmly believe that education and knowledge are essential to understanding and acceptance of Autism as a form of diversity.…
A RoadMap for After Getting Your Late-in-Life Autism Diagnosis: Challenges and Benefits
You just received your Autism diagnosis later in life and you’re feeling overwhelmed and lost. Maybe you find yourself thinking, “Okay. What now?” You’ve received the diagnosis whether it’s a formal one or self-diagnosed, and now you find yourself wondering what this means for your life. What do you do and where do you go from here?…
Navigating the Journey to a Late-in-Life Autism Diagnosis
You’ve gained some awareness where you are suspecting that you may be autistic. It may have started when a loved one suggested it, or the therapist you were seeing had mentioned it. You may have also come to this realization through your child’s diagnosis are you see similarities between their autistic traits and yours.…
Holding Space for Yourself and Others Through LGBTQ+ Violence
Recent events have highlighted a larger pattern of violence against the LGBTQ+ community. This pattern affects everyone in the community, including neurodiverse individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Whether or not you have been “directly” impacted by violence or discrimination, the threat of violence undoubtedly impacts the way that LGBTQ+ people walk through the world.…
How does the Skills System help autistic children and adults with emotion regulation and executive functioning?
By: Regina Koller, LPCC
What emotions are you feeling? How intense are your emotions? Do you know what to do when your emotions spin out of control? Answering these sorts of questions can be very hard for autistic individuals.
Many people on the autism spectrum find it hard to even identify how they are feeling in the moment.…
Overcoming Shame As An LGBTQIA+ Autistic Individual
Shame is a powerful emotion. It can cause us to doubt ourselves, hide who we are, and feel disconnected from the world around us.
Shame is hard for anyone to deal with, but it can be especially challenging for those who face prejudice or discrimination due to their identity (or identities).…
Assumptions About Neurodiversity and Autism
“But you don’t SEEM autistic!”
“Don’t all autistic people have sensory issues?”
“But you can make eye contact!”
“You have too many friends to be autistic!”
We all make assumptions based on our knowledge of a topic. The less knowledge we have, the more assumptions we make. This makes it difficult for the people around us who are different.