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I recorded this about 4 months ago, but didn't feel comfortable sharing until I'd figured out if I was going to find a prescriber or need to potentially go to a 28-day program or hospital to detox off my medication due to the difficulty I was having finding a provider. The appointment I was preparing for was through a national service called MindPath. I like the doctor very much. She was very helpful and agreed that if I'd been taking the same dose of a medication for well over a decade, there was little likelihood of my becoming addicted to it. Once the Medicaid expansion went through, I did qualify for Medicaid. MindPath doesn't take Medicaid, so I had to switch providers again. I went to the local health department. They have 1 mental health NP who was leaving in two weeks and they hadn't found a replacement for her, so they weren't taking new mental health clients. My primary at the health department wouldn't write me a prescription for Valium. Finally, I went to the doctor that was assigned to me through Medicaid and after seeing their office's mental health person, they wrote me prescriptions for the medications that I needed. Anyway, I was recovering from the anxiety of that for a long time, but am ready to share now. In my video, I explain some of the challenges that go along with someone on the spectrum seeking medical care. You can also see my anxiety, in that I have a plan, but don't feel it will work and am focused on that. I say at one point that my anxiety was at a 9/10. I remember this day well after re-watching the video. I had been having a really hard time. Think about what you think a 9/10 anxiety would look like for you and know that this is what a "high masking" autistic person can look like with that high of an anxiety level. This need to mask is part of why I'm so exhausted after interacting with neurotypical people. If I was alone and not having to mask for a doctor's appointment. I likely would have been rocking and stimming, but that's not allowed if I want to feel like I'm being taken seriously as a competent adult.<a title="My Hunt for Mental Health Care &amp; an Example of High Masking" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY</a><figure id="figure-zywi3ljloiluh6uxs2"><img id="zywi3ljloiluh6uxs2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/34ldv2xZilMtFFq9xD77fF3SPNx79e9YRA6K9ZTYzhV5SMnP78ooDWabEi4L0nD5.png" alt="people sitting on chair in front of table while holding pens during daytime" title="people sitting on chair in front of table while holding pens during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 100% 5%;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionX="100%" data-positionY="5%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

A High Masking Autistic Adult's Search for Health Care

Autism on Autism is a new series where I take comments and questions that professionals are asking on Facebook and Reddit type platforms and break down my opinions and perspectives on the questions based on my lived experience as someone on the spectrum and my work with people on the spectrum as a mental health RN, an Autism Spectrum Disorder Certified Specialist, and countless number of people I've seen in my private practice. My opinion is one opinion. Take what's helpful and leave the rest. I'd be curious to hear the opinions of both others on the spectrum and parents with a child on the spectrum in the comments. I was considering turning this into a regular series if there's interest. A therapist or paid support is attempting to do the best they can for their client on the spectrum based on meeting the current moment. I've seen what these decisions that are not considering the long term do to adults on the spectrum and often, although well intended, they cause damage.<a title="Autism on Autism: a Therapist's Request for Input Around a 10-yr who needs cueing" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0</a> <figure id="figure-hk7qd5w9sqluh6kb51"><img id="hk7qd5w9sqluh6kb51" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/21Wts6XWzdZ6Pu7QvDC6IgKSJcVKHf1S4gIlMrwg9BGlgtFh7cDQYUswS1kf3mKz.png" alt="three people sitting in front of table laughing together" title="three people sitting in front of table laughing together" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 40% 40%;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="40%" data-positionY="40%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

Autism on Autism: a Therapist's Request for Input Around a 10-yr who needs cueing

<figure id="figure-mts6ow7jepltxkwgjh"><img id="mts6ow7jepltxkwgjh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19q8ZJI5vRArDswKiHi4IFo8FKsgcUWQodQa06b8qIxctT2PscwyZTcPj4q0zGyj.jpg" alt="person in white shirt lying on bed" title="person in white shirt lying on bed" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 20% 80%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="best therapies for asd" data-positionx="20%" data-positiony="80%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19q8ZJI5vRArDswKiHi4IFo8FKsgcUWQodQa06b8qIxctT2PscwyZTcPj4q0zGyj.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 20% 80%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">best therapies for asd</figcaption></figure><h3>Treatment for Autistic Adolescents &amp; Adults</h3>-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) -Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy -Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) -Internal Family Systems (IFS) -Medications from an Experienced Provider <h3>Relationship-Based Therapy for Autistic Children</h3>- DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based Model) - Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) - Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) - Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS) - Play Therapy - Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Compiled by Spark for Autism webinars:&nbsp;<a title="Free expert autism webinars" href="https://sparkforautism.org/discover/category/webinar/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://sparkforautism.org/discover/category/webinar/" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Link to all webinars by Spark for Autism</a> <figure id="figure-1p65mb0ypsltxktx1h" class=""><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2"> </figcaption></figure>

Newest Therapies Approved for Adults, Adolescents and Children on the Autism Spectrum

<h2>5 Things that Make the Airport Easier for People with ASD</h2>The airport can be overwhelming for the most calm of people. That said for those of us on the spectrum, it can be a nightmare of anxiety that leads to complete avoidance of air travel, as it has for me for the most part since TSA became a part of the process. There are just too many rules and steps for my limited capacity for executive functioning to manage under such extreme sensory input.I've been working on my challenges with overstimulation, meltdowns, and flying for the last 4 months. I don't have any issues once I get on the plane. My challenges are all based around navigating the airport, TSA, and boarding. I had my first trip last week with no meltdowns, panic attacks, or rescue (as needed) medications!! Some things have changed around the airport process that have made traveling by plane much less anxiety-provoking for me than it was before the pandemic. Maybe they can help you too? Please share your travel experiences below. Do you find it harder or easier to travel in 2024? Keep trying, Kara<figure id="figure-91ls039gwrlsdoel4h"><img id="91ls039gwrlsdoel4h" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20lwjwG9etyewuxgelLqnsFlTmIbZIq9MwEGbjueqT2n41kRAHkHFijhJeYHYxO0.png" alt="blue and silver metal tool" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 15% 95%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Made it through TSA, gate check, and onto the plane without meds or anxiety!" data-positionx="15%" data-positiony="95%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20lwjwG9etyewuxgelLqnsFlTmIbZIq9MwEGbjueqT2n41kRAHkHFijhJeYHYxO0.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 15% 95%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Made it through TSA, gate check, and onto the plane without meds or anxiety!</figcaption></figure><a title="5 Things that Can Make the Airport Easier for People with ASD" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPzK0qWFkN8" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPzK0qWFkN8" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Click here to watch the video and find out the 5 things.</a>

Navigating the Airport with Autism

<div id="title" class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata"><h2 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata">Video: Things That Make Having Autism Easier, Video 1</h2></div><div id="top-row" class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata"><div id="owner" class="item style-scope ytd-watch-metadata"></div></div>It's easy to get lost in all of the things that make living life on the spectrum challenging. That said, there are a lot of things about living in the 2020s that make life easier than at any time in the past.<figure id="figure-0qo2woa9n9lrz4jj5b"><iframe id="0qo2woa9n9lrz4jj5b" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aMvwgGMgwXs" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMvwgGMgwXs" data-corners="default" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aMvwgGMgwXs" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>

Things that Make Autism Easier #1

After much discussion about overwhelm, rumble, and meltdowns with my partner, I decided that it might be helpful to post a short video about what may be helpful for someone watching their loved one go through a state of dysregulation. (Take what serves you and leave the rest.) Also, I realized I had some theory of mind issues in the video. When I'm talking about hitting one string on a piano or guitar, I'm talking about resonance and how all the other strings of that sort will vibrate. In the same respect, someone in overwhelm will resonate with their loved one's emotions and this can potentially make the situation worse.&nbsp;Keep centered. Keep trying and keep learning.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-y4vpbyko39lrz4c7pj"><iframe id="y4vpbyko39lrz4c7pj" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zEz069ZACWA" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEz069ZACWA&t=13s" data-corners="default"></iframe></figure>

The Autistic Autism Consultant

Blogs and Vlogs

A High Masking Autistic Adult's Search for Health Care

Autism on Autism: a Therapist's Request for Input Around ...

Newest Therapies Approved for Adults, Adolescents and Chi...

Navigating the Airport with Autism

Things that Make Autism Easier #1

How to "Read" Your Autistic Loved One