A How-To Guide to Emotional Support for Neurodiverse Couples

• By: Leslie A. Sickels, LCSW Clinical Social Worker
• October 2nd, 2023
• communication, emotional support, empathy, Fall 2023 Issue, listening, managing expectations, miscommunication, neurodevelopmental differences, neurodiverse relationships, neurodiversity, relationship needs, task shifting, theory of mind
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In my neurodiverse couples therapy practice in New York City, many central themes are addressed including communication, intimacy, sex, and parenting. However, one of the most consistent themes brought up by neurotypical partners is feeling a lack of emotional support in their relationship. Their...

Sharing an Adult Autism Diagnosis with Family, Friends, and Community

• By: Lori Lerner, LMSW, RYT-200 hr. Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
• April 11th, 2023
• acceptance, adult diagnosis, community integration, compassion, coping skills, diagnosis, disclosure, empathy, kindness, self-compassion, social support, Spring 2023 Issue
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The successful British author Matt Haig spent a lot of time in self-reflection at the height of the pandemic. During this time, at 46 years of age, he was newly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) along with having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In light of being...

Making Space for Mourning: A Grief Support Session

• By: Lori Lerner, LMSW, RYT-200 hr. Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
• September 29th, 2022
• compassion, death, empathy, Fall 2022 Issue, feelings, grief, grief support, grief symptoms, healing, loss, memories, mourning, self-care
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As the Coordinator of Family and Wellness in the Developmental Disabilities Division at Services for the UnderServed (S:US) and a social worker with extensive experience in providing grief support, I am often requested to administer grief support to people with intellectual/developmental...

A World Without Emotions: Alexithymia and Autism

• By: Andréas RB Deolinda, BA, BSc Advocate for Children with Special Needs
• July 19th, 2022
• alexithymia, children, emotional recognition, emotional regulation, emotions, empathy, feelings, interventions, Summer 2022 Issue, theory of mind
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Before we delve into defining alexithymia and autism I’d like to paint a picture in your mind. Imagine living in a world where emotions do not appear to exist - no clear indications of anger, sadness, or happiness. So much so that even categorizing these emotions does not exist - a neutral...

An Autistic’s Vision for Lasting and Successful Workplace Neurodiversity

• By: Sam Farmer Neurodiversity Community Self-Advocate, Writer/Author, and Public Speaker
• July 19th, 2022
• acceptance, accommodation, actually autistic, collaboration, empathy, employment, inclusion, listening, neurodiversity, neurodiversity hiring programs, stigma, Summer 2022 Issue, workplace
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Consider Dan Burger, a gifted and autistic computer science student at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. In spite of the challenges he faced along his journey through school and into the workforce, Burger's exceptional abilities at visual problem-solving and dealing with large amounts of data...

Practicing with Compassionate Care: A Missing Piece in Behavior Analytic Training

• By: Ashley Kemmerer, MS, BCBA Graham Behavior Services
• March 26th, 2021
• ABA, behavior analysis, behavior analysts, compassion, empathy, feelings, parents, Spring 2021 Issue, stress, sympathy, training
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Becoming and practicing behavior analysis is often synonymous with a strong understanding of the technical components of behavior change procedures. Our training often emphasizes skills such as the memorization of terminology until it becomes second nature, evaluating and conducting research, and...