On the Spectrum?

FULL PROGRAMME

Raun K. Kaufman
The Five Natural Laws of Autism
In this day and age, it would be rare to have a therapeutic practice that did not include at least some neurodivergent or autistic patients or clients. Even if neurodivergence is not the focus of your practice, it is likely that you encounter people who could benefit greatly from your understanding and expertise.

Has a patient or client ever told you that they have been diagnosed as autistic, or that family members or significant others believe they may be on the spectrum? Have you worked with someone who openly wonders whether they are autistic? Or, perhaps more commonly, have you noticed unusual reactions or styles of communication and wondered whether, rather than stemming from an issue or pathology, they might reflect neurodivergence—particularly autism?

Helping autistic patients and clients requires both an understanding of how they experience the world and an ability to find ways of reaching them. This first presentation will introduce the five ‘Natural Laws of Autism’: fundamental aspects of autistic brains and nervous systems that are crucial to understand, yet easy to overlook or inadvertently violate.

Once you become familiar with these principles, you may feel as though a light has been switched on, enabling you to see some of your patients and clients in an entirely new way.

Discussion and Q&A

Kate C. Wilde
Detecting the Signals
This presentation will explore the key signals and characteristics that may indicate that a patient or client is on the autism spectrum. What is particularly helpful about these signals is that they are less concerned with specific behaviours—which can be misleading—and more with how the person functions, both in their life and within the therapeutic setting, and with the particular needs that arise from this.

We will consider social friction, nervous-system traits and the need for control, exploring how these signals can help you recognise and understand the possibility of autism.
We will also consider how best to respond when a patient or client expresses concerns about being recognised as autistic or receiving an autism diagnosis.

Discussion and Q&A

Kate C. Wilde
Creating a safe and stable platform for the patient/client to open up and participate in therapy
This presentation will take a deeper look at three primary ways of being and structuring therapeutic sessions so that autistic and neurodivergent patients and clients can feel safe, regulate themselves, connect with you and participate more fully in therapy.

We will explore how to:

• Adapt the therapeutic environment to accommodate a sensitive nervous system and reduce the likelihood of overstimulation, overwhelm or stress.
• Address a heightened need for control in ways that support self-regulation.
• Relate in a non-threatening way, creating sufficient safety for the patient or client to open up and engage with you.

Discussion and Q&A

Raun K. Kaufman
Speaking their language
People on the spectrum—even those who are highly sophisticated—may shut down or resist if they feel that you are not “speaking their language.”

We often develop familiar ways of communicating, along with expectations about how communication should unfold. While these conventions are entirely understandable, they can sometimes get in the way of genuine back-and-forth communication with autistic and neurodivergent patients and clients.

This final presentation will explore three critical communication strategies for maximising a patient’s or client’s capacity to understand you, to communicate their thoughts, feelings and desires honestly, and to remain receptive to your input and guidance.
These strategies focus on how you speak, recognising and engaging with their special interests, and uncovering their underlying needs, fears and desires.

Discussion and Q&A