Autism in the Adult

Neuropsychologist Dr. Theresa Regan explains theory of mind—our ability to recognize that others have different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives—how it develops, and how it varies across neurotypes, including autism. Using examples from childhood, adolescence, and adult life, she shows how perspective-taking influences communication and relationships, and encourages curiosity to bridge misunderstandings and improve connection. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan returns from sabbatical to introduce her new book, "Understanding Communication and Relationships and Autism," and shares how her clinical and personal experiences shaped it. She explains that many relational conflicts come from different nervous systems interpreting the same moment differently, offers real-life examples, and invites listeners to shift from blame to curiosity, revelation, and practical strategies for stronger relationships. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Join Dr. Regan in an episode about the power of small talk as a social welcome mat and a way of testing the waters before creating longer social connections. Neurodiverse Love Conference 2025 Use checkout code Theresa50 for $50 off _______ Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for this episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic adult during the seasons of retirement and the empty nest. Calendar example: Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for this episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic parent in a household with teens and young adults. Dr. Regan discusses the child's quest for identity and separation and the parent's changing role. She reviews coping strategies for the parent during this time of transition and uncertainty. Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for the sixth episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic parent in a household with preteen children. Dr. Regan discusses the parent's shifting role across the child's developmental seasons, develops images to help parents relate to the shift, and provides practical input about succeeding in these changes in the parenting role. The Holidays and Autism: Holding Fast and Letting Go Planning a Merry Holiday on the Autism Spectrum How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for the fifth episode of the Lifespan of a Household series. Today's episode focuses on topics important to autistic individuals who are parenting young children. Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for the 4th episode in the Lifespan of a Household series. Today's episode focuses on topics important to the autistic individual who is preparing for parenting. Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses

Join Dr. Regan for this third episode in the "Lifespan of a Household" series. This episode highlights topics important to living in shared space, including the sensory environment, alone time, and control over objects. Also, check out links to resources on her website and a transcript of the episode below. Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining me for this third episode in our series on autism and the lifespan of a household. My name is Dr. Theresa Regan, and I'm your host. I'm a neuropsychologist, a certified autism specialist, and mom to a young adult on the spectrum. This series is the result of listener requests about living as a couple or as a family within a shared household. And as we've touched on, one of the challenges of tackling the topic is that households can take so many different forms. And I know that I can't do them all justice in just one series, but I wanted to touch on some important life seasons within a household. So our first episode was about dating, and the second covered the topic of physical intimacy and relationships. And today we're going to talk about sharing physical space with other people. So joining households, living in the same space. I'll also let you know that a lot of my website renovations have been completed. There are still some things I'm tweaking and trying to make work better, but lots of the pages are active and working. And I also now have the new service of video visits for people to consult me about the topic of autism or how that impacts you in your household. There are some geographic limitations and there are some specifics about payment and if you are interested in that type of service head on over to my website at adultandgeriatricautism.com and look under video visits. So there are many different instances where physical space might be shared in a type of household. So we may be talking about a traditional couple or a family household or even other situations like having roommates or renting a portion of someone else's home. And sharing living space can be complex for lots of reasons, but for the autistic, there may be a few specific challenges that we could cover in the episode today that would help people navigate those things. So in particular, we're going to cover the sensory environment, alone time, and having control over objects. So let's tackle the sensory environment first. First, because the autistic individual may have sensory sensitivities, living in the household with other people may be overwhelming because people bump into each other or reach over each other or they brush against each other to navigate the physical space. Noise can be another sensory input that's elevated in a household, and the noise could include voices, babies crying, arguments, even just surround noise like television or music. How things smell can be important to someone on the spectrum. The scent of food cooking or aftershave, candles, cigarettes, cleaning products, taste and texture can come into play if we're talking about shared groceries or family meals, does everyone have to eat the same thing? Let's not forget about visual inputs. So not only does this include lighting, but a very common issue that I hear about is concern for the visual space or having visual chaos. So for some on the spectrum, the sight of a visual messiness or overcrowdedness or chaos can be overwhelming. And this could include things like decorations, messy work areas, things on the floor, clothes, garbage, food, strewn about various surfaces. And this visual chaos can feel overwhelming. Now, before you start laughing because you've seen someone's space and you know that they're not concerned about visual chaos, that's true. Not everyone on the spectrum will have the same sensory processing feature. And neither will everyone who is neurotypical. So people in the household will have different preferences. Many people on the spectrum may have very little care for the visual cleanliness or organization of their space except for a few specific things. So maybe they have very significant care about where their favorite objects are placed or how things are lined up, but other things are strewn over the floor and there's not much care at all. The more people there are in the household, the more mix there will be of habits and preferences and clash with the habits and preferences of others. Another complicating factor is that as people age across life seasons, their sensory processing and preferences can also change. So you have not only complexity, but you have this multifaceted, always changing sensory sensory environment, and sensory preferences across multiple people within the same shared living space. So that is a moving, dynamic, complex kind of issue. Now, one of the best ways to start addressing this is what we've talked about in multiple other episodes, And that is self-awareness. So that's that ability to say,

Dr. Regan continues the series about the lifespan of a relationship and/or household. The first episode focused on dating relationships, and this second episode focuses on sexual intimacy in relationships with an autistic partner. Dr. Regan's Resources: Empowered Parenting Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Dr. Regan begins a new series about the lifespan of a relationship and/or household. This first episode focuses on dating relationships. The episode provides practical insights and strategies to help you make informed and intentional choices in your relationships, ensuring they are fulfilling and sustainable for both partners. Dr. Regan's Resources: Empowered Parenting Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode of the Powerful Self-Care Series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies for self-care. This episode focuses on how to increase resilience in active and effective ways. Empowered Parenting Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for this second episode of the Powerful Self-Care Series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies to become effective with self-care. This episode focuses on how to reduce draining inputs in order to budget your resilience. Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the specific course page for "Empowered Parenting." Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for this first episode of a new self-care series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies to become powerful at self-care. The first step is self-awareness which can begin by noticing your fight, flight, freeze, and physical reactions to events and experiences. Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the specific course page for "Empowered Parenting." Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for the third and final episode of the Communication Series. This episode highlights ways to communicate while talking about challenging topics. Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the specific course page for "Empowered Parenting." Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for the second episode in the Communication Series. This episode highlights ways to use communication to protect and grow relationships. Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

Join Dr. Regan for the first episode of the new Communication Series. This first episode highlights moments of connection, such as talking in the car, going out on date night, and catching up with a friend. Tune in to hear what to avoid and what to focus on to enhance connection. Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

In this third episode of the executive function series, Dr. Regan discusses sticking, releasing, and switching gears in everyday life. Related resources: Podcast Episode: Autism and "Just Right" Podcast Episode: Gaining Momentum for Activities Amazon: Time Timer (I don't receive any income from your purchase) Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians

The Holidays and Autism: Holding Fast and Letting Go Planning a Merry Holiday on the Autism Spectrum

In this second episode of the executive function series, Dr. Regan breaks down how speed, working memory, and sequencing impact daily life. I Love Lucy chocolate factory TV clip Executive Function Book Series by Dawson and Guare: Smart But Scattered (children's version) Smart But Scattered (Teen version) Smart But Scattered (adult version) Dr. Regan's Master Class for Clinicians (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec 2023) Zur Institute: Master Class Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:05,570 --> 00:00:06,059 Hello, 2 00:00:06,070 --> 00:00:06,820 everyone. 3 00:00:06,829 --> 00:00:08,659 This is Doctor Regan. 4 00:00:08,670 --> 00:00:13,670 I'm joining you for an episode of Autism in the adult podcast. 5 00:00:14,020 --> 00:00:14,880 For those of you. 6 00:00:14,890 --> 00:00:16,260 New to the podcast. 7 00:00:16,270 --> 00:00:18,020 I'm a neuropsychologist, 8 00:00:18,030 --> 00:00:20,190 a certified autism specialist, 9 00:00:20,420 --> 00:00:25,180 and the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 10 00:00:25,190 --> 00:00:28,940 adults and aging adults in Central Illinois. 11 00:00:29,549 --> 00:00:35,240 And today you are listening to the second episode in a series on executive function. 12 00:00:35,750 --> 00:00:47,139 And this is a topic we're covering because many of the strengths and challenges that go along with the autistic neurology fall within the realm of executive function. 13 00:00:48,849 --> 00:00:51,619 Before we dive into that topic for today, 14 00:00:51,759 --> 00:00:58,540 I'd like to thank Amanda who pointed out that my diagnostic terms in the first episode were imprecise. 15 00:00:58,830 --> 00:01:03,279 I use terms that are common in my day to day interactions with patients, 16 00:01:03,290 --> 00:01:04,819 families and physicians, 17 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:07,900 which are the terms ADD and ADHD. 18 00:01:08,089 --> 00:01:09,099 However, 19 00:01:09,110 --> 00:01:16,800 the most precise and current terminology is ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation. 20 00:01:17,379 --> 00:01:21,389 ADHD predominantly hyperactive - 21 00:01:21,470 --> 00:01:26,199 impulsive presentation, or ADHD combined presentation. 22 00:01:27,379 --> 00:01:29,589 And I guess in reviewing that in my mind, 23 00:01:29,599 --> 00:01:32,720 I think it's similar with the term dementia, 24 00:01:32,730 --> 00:01:37,550 which is often still used in day to day language in clinical settings, 25 00:01:37,559 --> 00:01:42,690 even though the most recent and precise term is major neurocognitive disorder. 26 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:43,650 So, 27 00:01:43,660 --> 00:01:44,410 thanks Amanda, 28 00:01:44,419 --> 00:01:51,279 I'll stick to being precise and specific in podcasts about the topic of ADHD 29 00:01:51,839 --> 00:01:55,230 And instead of using each of the subtypes, 30 00:01:55,239 --> 00:02:07,379 I will just use the term ADHD unless I'm speaking about specific features of one subtype. As we discussed in the first episode, 31 00:02:07,389 --> 00:02:16,580 executive function is really a broad term and it's includes multiple subfunctions or subcategories. 32 00:02:17,179 --> 00:02:33,800 And this is a series that I really encourage you to listen to the first episode before listening to subsequent episodes because it really went through a lot of layers of explaining executive function, ADHD, and autism ... 33 00:02:34,350 --> 00:02:37,160 how those relate or don't relate to each other. 34 00:02:38,539 --> 00:02:43,720 So the subcategories of executive function include things like attention, 35 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:45,919 goal directed persistence, 36 00:02:45,929 --> 00:02:47,949 organization, response 37 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,020 inhibition and several more. 38 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:50,990 In fact, 39 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,229 depending on what source you're using, 40 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:57,669 there can be about 12 or so sub functions identified, 41 00:02:57,679 --> 00:03:06,410 even though there's really no complete agreement on how to list out the sub functions within executive function. 42 00:03:08,110 --> 00:03:17,000 There are two main developmental diagnoses with large executive function components and these include ADHD and autism, 43 00:03:18,710 --> 00:03:23,160 the ADHD criteria, as we talked about in the previous episode, 44 00:03:23,339 --> 00:03:28,899 only describe symptoms falling within about four of the subcategories. 45 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:35,460 I would label these subcategories in the ADHD as organization, 46 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:41,690 attention, response inhibition, and goal directed persistence. For example, 47 00:03:41,699 --> 00

Do you understand what Executive Function (EF) refers to and why it is important? If you have EF difficulties, have you been diagnosed with ADHD? Do you wonder if you have a diagnosis of autism or if you should have a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD? Dr. Regan breaks down the concepts and shares about the relationship between EF, ADHD, and autism. Executive Function Book Series by Dawson and Guare: Smart But Scattered (children's version) Smart But Scattered (Teen version) Smart But Scattered (adult version) Dr. Regan's Master Class for Clinicians: Zur Institute: Master Class Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:07,670 --> 00:00:08,560 Hi there. 2 00:00:08,569 --> 00:00:13,960 This is Doctor Regan joining you for an episode of Autism in the Adult podcast. 3 00:00:14,850 --> 00:00:16,670 I'm a neuropsychologist, 4 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:24,350 the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic in Central Illinois and the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 5 00:00:25,180 --> 00:00:25,899 Today, 6 00:00:25,909 --> 00:00:31,610 you are joining me for the first episode in a new series about executive function. 7 00:00:31,989 --> 00:00:36,509 And I'm really excited for the series since announcing the topic. 8 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,509 At the end of our last episode, 9 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:45,709 I've received lots of emails from interested listeners before we dive into today's episode. 10 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:45,990 Though, 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:50,490 I wanna give a shout out to the clinicians and professionals who may be listening. 12 00:00:50,799 --> 00:01:00,610 I'm currently developing a master class with the continuing education platform called Zur Institute. 13 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:04,010 This offering is unique for several reasons. 14 00:01:04,019 --> 00:01:05,449 One is the format, 15 00:01:06,050 --> 00:01:09,550 there will be four 2-hour webinars, 16 00:01:09,559 --> 00:01:11,949 one in each of September, 17 00:01:12,209 --> 00:01:13,099 October, 18 00:01:13,110 --> 00:01:16,180 November and December of 2023. 19 00:01:16,809 --> 00:01:23,629 And the first hour will be education while the second full hour will be reserved for discussion, 20 00:01:23,639 --> 00:01:32,519 question and answer and interaction with you about clinical questions and practice issues related to the topic for that day. 21 00:01:32,889 --> 00:01:44,419 Another unique feature of this offering will be the focus on advanced topics. So click on the link in the show notes to read more about the topics and how to sign up. 22 00:01:45,330 --> 00:01:49,569 If you are a clinician wanting beginner or intermediate courses, 23 00:01:49,599 --> 00:01:54,440 check out my other offerings on Zur or at my website, 24 00:01:54,449 --> 00:01:57,819 which is also linked through the show notes. 25 00:01:58,440 --> 00:01:59,040 All right, 26 00:01:59,050 --> 00:02:01,580 let's talk about executive function. 27 00:02:02,449 --> 00:02:07,800 I'll warn you that today's episode will require some executive function to get through. 28 00:02:08,350 --> 00:02:14,740 And I've spent a lot of time trying to make sure that I'm linking all of the themes together. 29 00:02:15,179 --> 00:02:16,649 So with that in mind, 30 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:22,440 I want to start off with just a general definition of executive function. 31 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,500 Later in our talks, 32 00:02:26,509 --> 00:02:34,229 we will cover a more precise and descriptive definition including sub elements and what we might call those. 33 00:02:35,020 --> 00:02:45,990 So executive function refers to a set of brain based abilities related to the functioning of the pathways connecting the center and the front of the brain. 34 00:02:46,679 --> 00:02:48,710 And the reason for the name, 35 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:59,850 executive functioning is that executive is defined as having the power to put plans and actions into effect. 36 00:03:00,860 --> 00:03:04,710 So a CEO for example, 37 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:14,669 is the chief executive officer of a business company and is in charge of directing the tiers of the company, 38 00:03:14,679 --> 00:03:16,250 the regional officers, 39 00:03:16,259 --> 00:03:17,059 managers, 40 00:03:17,070 --> 00:03:18,270 direct workers, 41 00:03:18,490 --> 00:03:24,440 directing all the pieces to work together toward the same goal. 42 00:03:24,970 --> 00:03:33,339 So these pathways of the brain help the parts of the brain work together to achieve a goal. 43 00:03:34,259 --> 00:03:38,360 Another image that I like is the symphony conductor, 44 00:03:38,899 --> 00:03:42,190 directing all the instruments in the orchestra, 45 00:

Have you ever struggled over whether to accept an invitation or opportunity? Should I say yes, or no? Join Dr. Regan as she discusses the importance of identifying goals and asking "what might that look like" before making a final decision. Previous podcast episodes mentioned: Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism: Similarities and Differences Dr. Regan's Master Class for Clinicians: Zur Institute: Master Class Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:07,670 --> 00:00:08,520 Hi there. 2 00:00:08,529 --> 00:00:13,520 This is Doctor Regan joining you for an episode of Autism in the Adult podcast. 3 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:15,029 I'm your host. 4 00:00:15,039 --> 00:00:18,739 I'm also a neuropsychologist, author and speaker, 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:24,719 a certified autism specialist and the parent of a teen on the autism spectrum. 6 00:00:25,850 --> 00:00:29,040 You are joining me today for an episode entitled, 7 00:00:29,049 --> 00:00:30,620 "what might that look like?" 8 00:00:30,909 --> 00:00:35,240 One of the things that clients and families often ask me is, 9 00:00:35,250 --> 00:00:39,909 "should we plan on this" or "should I say yes to this?" 10 00:00:40,189 --> 00:00:40,669 Now, 11 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:48,659 this could mean being the best man at a family wedding or taking a family vacation to a cabin in the woods. 12 00:00:49,419 --> 00:00:53,509 It could mean accepting a full time job in an office setting. 13 00:00:54,299 --> 00:00:55,029 Now, 14 00:00:55,529 --> 00:00:58,509 my response is rarely yes or no, 15 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,270 but rather "what might that look like?" 16 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:05,519 So before we jump into the topic for today, 17 00:01:05,529 --> 00:01:09,559 we are coming up to the third anniversary of this podcast, 18 00:01:09,879 --> 00:01:19,639 the first episode launched on August 7th 2020 it highlighted similarities and differences between autism and ADD or ADHD. 19 00:01:20,050 --> 00:01:20,379 Now, 20 00:01:20,389 --> 00:01:33,279 this premiere episode is one of the most popular of the podcast and I plan to expand this topic into a series after today's episode which will further define executive function, 21 00:01:33,550 --> 00:01:41,050 its presentation in autism and ADD, and resources for harnessing the power of executive function. 22 00:01:42,199 --> 00:01:43,089 Secondly, 23 00:01:43,099 --> 00:01:46,930 I want to inform clinicians about an upcoming master class. 24 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:52,069 I'm offering through Zur Institute about autism across the lifespan. 25 00:01:53,190 --> 00:02:04,459 I received so many emails and messages through my website about people seeking autism informed clinicians to provide them with diagnostic input information, 26 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:08,919 education and solutions for roadblocks they may have encountered. 27 00:02:09,649 --> 00:02:17,270 So the bottom line is that more clinicians are needed to serve individuals who are searching for this specialization. 28 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:28,779 And my response has been to offer multiple courses through Zur Institute. It's a continuing education site for clinicians. 29 00:02:29,330 --> 00:02:36,809 My goal is to equip clinicians across various regions to assist individuals in their communities. 30 00:02:36,860 --> 00:02:39,320 When this type of service is needed, 31 00:02:39,979 --> 00:02:51,729 the master class offering will focus on advanced topics and it starts in September space is limited and I'll have the link in the show notes. 32 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,449 So let's jump into our topic for today. 33 00:02:56,380 --> 00:03:10,369 The autistic individual may have opportunities to accept or decline invitations and the invitation may be to enter an advanced academic program rather than the basic program. 34 00:03:10,789 --> 00:03:13,770 Perhaps the invitation is to travel. 35 00:03:14,429 --> 00:03:24,199 The invitation may be to lead a group such as being the best man at a family wedding or presenting research to professionals. 36 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:33,619 My experience is that there's value in viewing the invitation not so much as a yes or no question. 37 00:03:33,889 --> 00:03:35,369 Do I accept this? 38 00:03:35,380 --> 00:03:36,580 Do I say no. 39 00:03:36,759 --> 00:03:38,880 But by asking ourselves, 40 00:03:38,889 --> 00:03:40,410 what might that look like? 41 00:03:41,149 --> 00:03:41,710 A yes, 42 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:47,160 no view would be to see the invitation as a formed and complete package. 43 00:03:47,289 --> 00:03:51,080 So if I say yes to being the best man, 44 00:03:51,089 --> 00:03:53,080 I will plan the bachelor party, 45 00:

Do you want to live with more intention to achieve your goals? In this 6th episode in a series on Intentional Living, Dr. Regan discusses ways to grow in areas of interest by expanding skills and using free or low cost methods of networking and introducing products or services to others. Previous podcast episodes mentioned: Shifting Autistic Characteristics Across the Lifespan Autism in Women Coursera (online courses) Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:06,019 --> 00:00:06,829 Hello, 2 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:16,920 this is Doctor Regan joining you for the sixth episode of Our Living With Intention series on the Autism in the Adult podcast. 3 00:00:17,290 --> 00:00:20,159 I am the mom of a teen on the spectrum. 4 00:00:20,459 --> 00:00:26,180 I have a doctorate in the field of brain behavior relationships called neuropsychology. 5 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,549 I'm also an author and speaker, 6 00:00:28,559 --> 00:00:36,279 a certified autism specialist and the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic in Central Illinois, 7 00:00:36,290 --> 00:00:38,000 serving adolescents, 8 00:00:38,009 --> 00:00:40,060 adults and aging adults. 9 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:45,069 Before we jump into our topic for today, 10 00:00:45,090 --> 00:00:48,250 let's take a throwback to past episodes. 11 00:00:48,619 --> 00:00:51,790 Looking back to two years ago at this time, 12 00:00:51,869 --> 00:00:54,779 I published an episode about autism in women. 13 00:00:55,299 --> 00:00:59,330 It's been one of the most listened to episodes of the podcast. 14 00:00:59,779 --> 00:01:02,270 And one year ago at this time, 15 00:01:02,279 --> 00:01:13,699 we were in the midst of a series about how autism characteristics may shift somewhat across the lifespan during puberty across life, 16 00:01:13,709 --> 00:01:17,879 seasons in women and throughout the aging years, 17 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:23,569 I'll go ahead and link these episodes in the show notes in case you miss them. 18 00:01:24,989 --> 00:01:25,199 Now, 19 00:01:25,209 --> 00:01:30,139 let's talk about our current episode in The Living With Intention series. 20 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:37,309 I've named the series Living With Intention because sometimes as humans, 21 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:53,690 we just kind of get swept up in the demands of daily life or we get stuck in some areas and it can help to pause and consider where we would like to be in various areas of our lives. 22 00:01:54,370 --> 00:02:02,739 And then to think about how to take small achievable steps on a path toward our intention. 23 00:02:03,839 --> 00:02:04,629 And so far, 24 00:02:04,639 --> 00:02:13,050 we've spoken about three areas of life that someone may have goals for such as improving regulation, 25 00:02:13,539 --> 00:02:15,539 that means feeling centered, 26 00:02:15,550 --> 00:02:18,619 calm and psychologically present. 27 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:27,210 We talked about communicating and connecting and also about addressing issues of household culture. 28 00:02:28,750 --> 00:02:29,449 Today, 29 00:02:29,460 --> 00:02:32,679 we will look at the area of interests. 30 00:02:32,690 --> 00:02:44,070 Many people that I work with share that they're so captivated by a certain topic or activity that they would love to expand this in their life. 31 00:02:44,100 --> 00:02:45,500 For example, 32 00:02:45,509 --> 00:02:47,470 if someone is an artist, 33 00:02:47,710 --> 00:02:52,380 they may share that they think they would like to sell designs on Etsy, 34 00:02:54,000 --> 00:03:01,710 another person may share that they are immersed in sewing and this is so interesting and calming to them. 35 00:03:02,210 --> 00:03:09,970 They've developed quite a skill in this area and they're wondering if they could expand by doing some things in their community. 36 00:03:11,270 --> 00:03:21,240 Another may have an amazing brain for sports statistics and wish that they could get into sports casting as a niche in life. 37 00:03:23,399 --> 00:03:23,929 Again, 38 00:03:23,940 --> 00:03:29,149 it's important to emphasize that these are goals that the individual presents with. 39 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,800 This is not an episode about what someone's goals should be, 40 00:03:33,949 --> 00:03:37,210 but rather to address the thought of gosh, 41 00:03:37,220 --> 00:03:48,089 I love this stuff and I would love to do more or use it in a way that reaches a wider area or a wider audience. 42 00:03:49,759 --> 00:03:58,970 So how does one start a path toward getting more involved in the area of an intense interest? 43 00:04:00,710 --> 00:04:07,130 So how to get started as we talked about in the second episode on this series, 44 00:04:07,399 --> 00:04:14,979 it is recommended that we take small defined achievable steps in the direction we would lik

Do you want to live with more intention to achieve your goals? In this 5th episode in a series on Intentional Living, Dr. Regan identifies ways to improve household interactions by attending to the needs of the group and establishing traditions and structured activities. Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:06,139 --> 00:00:06,480 Hi, 2 00:00:06,489 --> 00:00:07,110 everyone. 3 00:00:07,119 --> 00:00:12,170 This is Doctor Regan joining you for an episode of Autism in the Adult podcast. 4 00:00:12,489 --> 00:00:14,970 I'm the mom of a teen on the spectrum. 5 00:00:14,979 --> 00:00:17,500 I have a doctorate in neuropsychology. 6 00:00:17,700 --> 00:00:20,790 It's the field of brain behavior relationships. 7 00:00:20,909 --> 00:00:25,649 And I'm the director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 8 00:00:25,659 --> 00:00:29,149 adults and aging adults in Central Illinois. 9 00:00:30,010 --> 00:00:30,459 Today, 10 00:00:30,469 --> 00:00:38,180 you're joining me for the fifth episode in a series about living with intention making goals, 11 00:00:38,189 --> 00:00:43,500 shifting in areas of life to get you closer to where you would like to be. 12 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:55,540 So there were two episodes about how to choose an area of life to target and how to approach change with some specific goals and strategies. 13 00:00:56,009 --> 00:01:02,369 We had episodes about improving regulation and about communicating and connecting. 14 00:01:02,979 --> 00:01:09,629 So today we have an episode focused on household living and the culture of the household. 15 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:10,690 Now, 16 00:01:10,699 --> 00:01:13,250 before we dive into the topic for today, 17 00:01:13,260 --> 00:01:20,519 I want to invite you to check out the resources on my website at adult in geriatric autism dot com. 18 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:28,410 There are posts and videos for many different types of listeners and learners including clinicians. 19 00:01:29,019 --> 00:01:29,529 Also, 20 00:01:29,540 --> 00:01:31,610 you may find one of my books helpful, 21 00:01:31,620 --> 00:01:32,580 many of you know, 22 00:01:32,589 --> 00:01:39,069 that my first book called Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults is in the second edition. 23 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:40,589 And if you don't know, 24 00:01:40,599 --> 00:01:44,550 I have a second book called Understanding Autistic Behaviors, 25 00:01:44,559 --> 00:01:47,250 which is more of a workbook format. 26 00:01:47,540 --> 00:01:55,809 So it explains the neurology ... kind of the neurologic-why of some of the behavioral patterns. 27 00:01:55,819 --> 00:02:02,110 And it outlines ways to work toward increased well-being if someone's in a season of struggle. 28 00:02:04,419 --> 00:02:07,430 So let's focus on household living. 29 00:02:07,470 --> 00:02:16,449 So I want to highlight this topic because many people talk to me about the complexities of living in a household with other people. 30 00:02:16,949 --> 00:02:22,330 Most often this has to do with spouses or partners or with couples who have Children. 31 00:02:22,690 --> 00:02:27,350 Not only is the individual trying to increase their own self awareness. 32 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:27,559 You know, 33 00:02:27,570 --> 00:02:29,050 this is how I'm wired, 34 00:02:29,059 --> 00:02:30,529 this is what makes me tick, 35 00:02:30,539 --> 00:02:31,770 this is what I need. 36 00:02:32,059 --> 00:02:33,830 But in a household, 37 00:02:33,860 --> 00:02:41,160 this is really next level awareness because there's now this demand to be aware of yourself, 38 00:02:41,169 --> 00:02:46,289 multiple other people and the interplay between all of the people. 39 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:47,630 And on top of that, 40 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:52,100 the needs and interplay change from day to day and from life, 41 00:02:52,110 --> 00:02:53,770 season to life season. 42 00:02:54,789 --> 00:03:00,240 It's so so easy to default to this kind of household interaction. 43 00:03:00,449 --> 00:03:02,039 Stop doing that. 44 00:03:02,050 --> 00:03:03,440 Why are you doing that? 45 00:03:03,449 --> 00:03:08,440 I've told you 100 times to X Y Z. 46 00:03:08,860 --> 00:03:09,800 Oh my gosh, 47 00:03:09,809 --> 00:03:12,440 you are so loud, 48 00:03:12,449 --> 00:03:21,630 messy clingy and guess what this focus on telling people to be different every day is just not that effective. 49 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:27,679 And that's why we find ourselves saying the same things every day over and over. 50 00:03:27,690 --> 00:03:28,770 And not only that, 51 00:03:28,910 --> 00:03:35,339 but these repetitive interactions cause a strain on the relationships in the household. 52 00:03:35,369 --> 00:03:40,940 And they create this kind of adversarial connection rather than a partnering connectio

Do you want to live with more intention to achieve your goals? In this 4th episode in a series on Intentional Living, Dr. Regan identifies ways to use communication to create connection and help you achieve the life goals you aim for. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Talking About Autism podcast series The Science of Making Friends: book Better Small Talk: book Crucial Conversations: book Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:03,809 --> 00:00:04,659 Hi there. 2 00:00:04,670 --> 00:00:06,679 This is Doctor Theresa Regan. 3 00:00:06,969 --> 00:00:11,510 I'm joining you for an episode of autism in the Adult podcast. 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:13,619 I'm a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:13,859 --> 00:00:19,120 the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic in Central Illinois. 6 00:00:19,290 --> 00:00:21,959 And I'm the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 7 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:27,440 Did you know that I did a podcast series on talking about autism? 8 00:00:27,659 --> 00:00:30,420 This was in February of 2022. 9 00:00:30,559 --> 00:00:43,909 It had three episodes where I covered things like how to talk to other people about your journey to seek a diagnostic evaluation or how to tell people that you've received a new diagnosis of autism. 10 00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:53,270 We cover topics about how to process and navigate the emotions of other people during conversations about autism. 11 00:00:53,909 --> 00:01:01,279 And we also reviewed how to talk to someone that you are familiar with --someone in your family, 12 00:01:01,290 --> 00:01:05,739 someone that you know -- about the possibility that they are on the spectrum. 13 00:01:06,089 --> 00:01:08,930 Maybe they haven't thought about it that way, 14 00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:12,319 but you recognize some characteristics in them. 15 00:01:13,010 --> 00:01:18,069 I'm going to put a link to this series talking about autism in the show notes. 16 00:01:18,599 --> 00:01:26,940 But today you are joining me for episode number four in a series about intentional living on the autism spectrum, 17 00:01:28,309 --> 00:01:33,629 we all get into rhythms and routines that have a life of their own. 18 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:36,000 Sometimes our schedules, 19 00:01:36,010 --> 00:01:37,540 what we typically do, 20 00:01:37,550 --> 00:01:41,440 what we don't do... things that crop up in our lives. 21 00:01:41,449 --> 00:01:56,860 They catch us up in their momentum and sometimes it's just nice to pause and to step back and really see if the life that we're living lines up with where we'd like to be in the future. 22 00:01:57,389 --> 00:02:01,150 Are we choosing this life? 23 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:07,860 Are we being swept away without really pausing to make some choices and decisions? 24 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:14,639 And certainly we can't have the final say in everything that our life entails. 25 00:02:14,649 --> 00:02:22,020 But we really will be able to capture more of our dreams and visions for the future 26 00:02:22,029 --> 00:02:27,259 if we pause and make choices that line up with those... 27 00:02:27,690 --> 00:02:29,339 those goals that we have. 28 00:02:31,770 --> 00:02:38,740 This need to pause and reevaluate our intentions and choices is a universal human need. 29 00:02:39,470 --> 00:02:49,300 But we're spending some time talking about this in the context of autism because sometimes the individual on the spectrum will struggle more with this, 30 00:02:49,750 --> 00:03:03,759 possibly because they have difficulty switching gears from the typical routine or maybe this individual has problems finding the energy or the momentum to get going with something new. 31 00:03:04,820 --> 00:03:12,910 This person may feel like it's challenging to get out of the hyper focus of the moment and to try to think long term. 32 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,889 So in the first episode for this series, 33 00:03:16,899 --> 00:03:25,009 we talked about how to get to the point where you can actually choose a goal that is difficult in itself. 34 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:35,020 We outlined several life categories that you could analyze to see if you would like to think of a goal in these categories. 35 00:03:35,940 --> 00:03:36,190 Now, 36 00:03:36,199 --> 00:03:41,110 the second episode was about how to make specific goals within a category. 37 00:03:41,990 --> 00:03:50,080 So we want the goal to help us shift from our current place and leave the boundaries of our comfort zone. 38 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:58,820 But we don't want it to be overwhelming or self defeating because we picked a goal that's just too difficult, 39 00:03:58,830 --> 00:03:59,720 too big... 41 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:02,059 feels insurmountable. 42 00:04:03,929 --> 00:04:16,660 The third episode in this series about living with intent

Want to live with more intention in order to achieve your goals? You may wish to start with steps to improve your core resilience so you can challenge yourself in other life areas. In this third episode in a series on intentional living, Dr. Regan identifies ways to improve resilience by using physical inputs to calm and center the nervous system. As referenced in the current episode: Dr. Regan's Zur Institute courses for clinicians Autism in the Adult regulation series- episode one The Alert Program The Alert Program: Your Best Self Online Course Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:05,710 --> 00:00:06,119 Hi, 2 00:00:06,130 --> 00:00:06,800 everyone. 3 00:00:06,809 --> 00:00:11,319 This is Dr Regan, host of the podcast Autism in the Adult. 4 00:00:11,539 --> 00:00:13,239 I'm a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:13,250 --> 00:00:17,729 a certified autism specialist and mom to a teen on the spectrum. 6 00:00:18,149 --> 00:00:25,360 It's my great pleasure to direct an autism diagnostic clinic in Central Illinois for adolescents, 7 00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:27,360 adults and aging adults. 8 00:00:27,790 --> 00:00:32,139 If you are a clinician wanting to increase your knowledge of autism, 9 00:00:32,150 --> 00:00:34,259 in order to better serve your clients, 10 00:00:34,490 --> 00:00:38,250 you may want to check out my courses at Zur Institute, 11 00:00:38,349 --> 00:00:40,409 Z U R Institute. 12 00:00:40,759 --> 00:00:44,880 The links will be in the show notes for this podcast episode. 13 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,130 If you're a regular follower of the podcast, 14 00:00:48,139 --> 00:00:54,569 you will know that we are in the third episode in a series about living with intention on the spectrum. 15 00:00:55,400 --> 00:01:00,009 I would encourage you to listen to the first two episodes to get the most information. 16 00:01:00,139 --> 00:01:03,849 Although this episode can be stand alone as well. 17 00:01:04,300 --> 00:01:04,750 Today, 18 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:10,569 we'll be talking about a goal within the area of health and wellness and specifically, 19 00:01:10,580 --> 00:01:16,230 we're going to focus on improving regulation using sensory inputs. 20 00:01:16,389 --> 00:01:16,699 Now, 21 00:01:16,709 --> 00:01:21,449 I have several other episodes about regulation and I'll link them in the show notes, 22 00:01:21,900 --> 00:01:33,330 but in short regulation refers to the ability to stay centered balanced to get that just right state to be both calm and attentive. 23 00:01:33,339 --> 00:01:34,349 At the same time, 24 00:01:35,419 --> 00:01:38,050 this regulation can look like a meltdown, 25 00:01:38,059 --> 00:01:39,209 a panic attack, 26 00:01:39,220 --> 00:01:44,309 an outburst or it could look like withdrawal from a place or activity. 27 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:45,230 For example, 28 00:01:45,239 --> 00:01:50,510 I need to quit this conversation or I need to go to my room off by myself. 29 00:01:50,519 --> 00:01:52,180 I can't attend work today. 30 00:01:52,190 --> 00:01:53,519 I can't go to school. 31 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:56,809 It can also look like freeze, 32 00:01:57,209 --> 00:02:01,470 like shutting down feeling offline or dissociating. 33 00:02:02,309 --> 00:02:03,080 And finally, 34 00:02:03,089 --> 00:02:13,020 disregulation can look like the experience of physical symptoms that are not rooted or at least not completely caused by a physical condition, 35 00:02:13,250 --> 00:02:15,520 injury or disease process. 36 00:02:16,020 --> 00:02:21,479 Individuals on the spectrum are more likely to struggle with dysregulation in some form. 37 00:02:21,789 --> 00:02:30,639 Although what the dysregulation looks like can be different from one person to the next and can also change over the lifespan of the individual. 38 00:02:30,649 --> 00:02:52,699 So we can see how important the wellness topic of regulation is and why we're talking about regulation as a goal first because for some people on the spectrum regulation needs to improve before they can experience enough resiliency to get out of their comfort zone in other areas of life, 39 00:02:52,710 --> 00:02:58,130 like relationships or working or other areas that we've discussed in the series. 40 00:02:58,139 --> 00:02:58,860 So far, 41 00:02:59,470 --> 00:03:08,910 the tricky thing is that there are often more limitations to the success of regulation strategies on the spectrum than for the neurotypical. 42 00:03:09,089 --> 00:03:17,360 And the go to strategies are often some combination of counseling or talking through the difficulty, 43 00:03:17,369 --> 00:03:20,089 maybe reasoning through problems, 44 00:03:20,339 --> 00:03:27,479 we might add medication for the support of regulation or use punishment and reward programs. 45 00:03:28,350 --> 00:03:38,270 It's not that

You may feel dissatisfaction or discomfort in some realm of life that you want to shift. But where to start and how to succeed? In this second episode in a series on intentional living, Dr. Regan identifies ways to create steps toward a goal, identify strategies, and monitor success. As referenced in the current episode: First Episode in Momentum for Behavior series Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript below: 1 00:00:01,830 --> 00:00:02,250 Hi, 2 00:00:02,259 --> 00:00:02,960 everyone. 3 00:00:02,970 --> 00:00:04,380 This is your host, 4 00:00:04,389 --> 00:00:04,829 Dr. 5 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:05,980 Theresa Regan, 6 00:00:06,250 --> 00:00:11,579 introducing this next episode of autism in the adult podcast. 7 00:00:11,939 --> 00:00:13,779 I'm a neuropsychologist. 8 00:00:13,789 --> 00:00:20,729 So I specialize in understanding how the health of the brain and the connections of the brain impact, 9 00:00:20,739 --> 00:00:21,370 thinking, 10 00:00:21,379 --> 00:00:22,020 skills, 11 00:00:22,030 --> 00:00:22,700 emotions, 12 00:00:22,709 --> 00:00:23,319 behavior, 13 00:00:23,329 --> 00:00:24,569 and personality. 14 00:00:24,790 --> 00:00:30,540 I've worked in hospitals for over 30 years and I'm the mother of a teen on the spectrum. 15 00:00:31,649 --> 00:00:39,250 And did you know that I have a series of three podcast episodes about momentum for activity. 16 00:00:39,619 --> 00:00:43,869 One is about exhaustion and finding balance in momentum. 17 00:00:44,189 --> 00:00:53,000 One of the episodes is about how to gain momentum for activity and the third is how to keep momentum for activity. 18 00:00:53,430 --> 00:00:59,430 You can find these three episodes as episodes number 21, 19 00:00:59,650 --> 00:01:04,489 and 23 In September and October of 2021. 20 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,410 I'll put the link in the show notes. 21 00:01:09,010 --> 00:01:09,449 Today, 22 00:01:09,459 --> 00:01:23,959 we have our second episode of a series about finding some intentionality in um areas of our life where we'd like to grow and maybe challenge ourselves. 23 00:01:23,970 --> 00:01:42,660 Sometimes life is so fast and furious and we get in survival mode or we just get used to living a certain way that we realize we're not really making choices in all the areas of where we put our attention, 24 00:01:42,989 --> 00:01:46,269 uh whether we wanna grow or shift gears. 25 00:01:46,650 --> 00:01:56,300 So the previous episode was this introduction of thinking about where are we in our life right now? 26 00:01:56,650 --> 00:02:02,059 And if you can identify areas where you would like to find more meaning, 27 00:02:02,449 --> 00:02:04,260 uh a bit more challenge. 28 00:02:04,269 --> 00:02:06,160 If you'd like to change direction, 29 00:02:06,370 --> 00:02:10,770 then we're going to focus together on living intentionally. 30 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:23,789 The first episode covered a few things and one is that I think the first step toward being intentional is having this increased self-awareness. 31 00:02:24,149 --> 00:02:37,429 And I feel like that's one of the greatest blessings of understanding our neurology and going through the diagnostic process about autism to see what, 32 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,460 how am I wired and what does my system need? 33 00:02:41,779 --> 00:02:43,649 How do I interact with people? 34 00:02:43,660 --> 00:02:46,210 What do I find uh joy in, 35 00:02:46,220 --> 00:02:46,770 in life? 36 00:02:46,779 --> 00:02:54,289 What drains me and we have this elevated understanding of ourselves. 37 00:02:54,300 --> 00:02:57,289 Um That is part of that process. 38 00:02:58,300 --> 00:03:02,229 So I think after that process of self awareness, 39 00:03:02,699 --> 00:03:09,410 if we do identify areas where we would like to grow or expand in some way, 40 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:11,309 one way to do that. 41 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:17,339 And we covered this in the initial episode is to think of categories in our life. 42 00:03:17,380 --> 00:03:24,490 And I invited you to do this um to see where you might want to shift. 43 00:03:26,479 --> 00:03:32,490 One of the categories we talked about was within the area of a special interest. 44 00:03:33,270 --> 00:03:37,470 The second was within the area of health and wellness. 45 00:03:38,250 --> 00:03:40,559 The third was regulation, 46 00:03:40,889 --> 00:03:46,699 that means the ability to stay centered with things like alertness, 47 00:03:46,889 --> 00:03:49,880 attention and emotions. 48 00:03:50,809 --> 00:03:53,380 We also talked about 1/4 category, 49 00:03:53,389 --> 00:03:54,729 relationships.

You may feel dissatisfaction or discomfort in some realm of life that you want to shift. But where to start and how to succeed? In this first episode in a series on intentional living, Dr. Regan identifies ways to plan the foundation of change so that you experience growth without becoming overwhelmed. As referenced in the current episode: adultandgeriatricautism.com Autism and Regulation podcast episode #1 Dr. Regan's online presentations with Zur Institute March, 2023: Is my Client on the Spectrum? Dispelling Myths About Autism Diagnoses Autism Assessment: The Seven Diagnostic Criteria Brought to Life Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:08,590 Hello and welcome to the podcast, 2 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:10,190 autism in the adult. 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:11,540 I am your host, 4 00:00:11,550 --> 00:00:13,160 Dr Theresa Regan. 5 00:00:13,170 --> 00:00:15,630 I am a neuropsychologist, 6 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:25,930 the mom of a teen on the spectrum and I'm a certified autism specialist. For more information about my offerings and background, 7 00:00:25,940 --> 00:00:31,020 please see my website at adultandgeriatricautism.com. 8 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:32,830 You can see the link below in the show notes. 9 00:00:33,450 --> 00:00:33,920 Today, 10 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:41,420 we are starting a new series that I am calling autism and intentional living. 11 00:00:41,430 --> 00:00:54,410 So living with intention rather than feeling that were just plodding along day to day or that there's a tidal wave of things happening and we are along for the ride. 12 00:00:55,700 --> 00:01:03,000 I think every human has seasons of life where we just try to recenter... regroup, 13 00:01:03,010 --> 00:01:16,430 figure out if we're really living with intention and meaning. We're going to focus on the intersection of that kind of season with autistic neurology. 14 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:35,810 Today we're going to have just a foundational and introductory session on this topic and we're going to start with the question of why would someone on the spectrum really need to consider living with intention. 15 00:01:35,820 --> 00:01:48,350 A lot of living in this with this mindset has to do with setting goals and thinking about shifts in your life if you want to change direction, 16 00:01:48,350 --> 00:01:51,460 if you want to grow in any particular area. 17 00:01:51,470 --> 00:01:53,570 And some might feel like, 18 00:01:53,570 --> 00:01:54,230 well, 19 00:01:55,320 --> 00:02:08,380 a really nonjudgmental approach is just to support people where they are at and I completely agree... if the person is doing well, 20 00:02:08,390 --> 00:02:15,000 if they're happy and healthy and they don't have goals to shift gears or adjust. 21 00:02:15,010 --> 00:02:16,970 That is completely fine. 22 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:26,160 But many of us really do best when we have some type of momentum toward a goal, 23 00:02:26,170 --> 00:02:31,680 a momentum toward growing in a particular area... 24 00:02:31,690 --> 00:02:40,360 but sometimes it's hard to figure out ...what should these goals be and how do I make a goal that's going to stick? 25 00:02:40,370 --> 00:02:44,500 How do I make a goal that is challenging and I can grow, 26 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:46,190 but it's not overwhelming... 27 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,810 I'm not going to be in this kind of never ending, 28 00:02:49,820 --> 00:02:57,030 trying to crawl out of this huge weight on my shoulders that I've taken on with this goal. 29 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:14,710 So this series is for people who would like to be mindful of ways in which they might like to stretch themselves or go out of their comfort zone and would like to have a topic about how to do that, 30 00:03:14,710 --> 00:03:16,000 how to think through it, 31 00:03:16,190 --> 00:03:20,400 and some of the plans and supports that might help along the way. 32 00:03:21,230 --> 00:03:36,380 Let's talk about a first step to thinking with this intentionality and to be to become more aware of ways in which you might like to grow. 33 00:03:36,390 --> 00:03:37,400 Um, 34 00:03:37,410 --> 00:03:50,430 one of the best things I think about a correct diagnosis of autism is the increased self awareness that ... should come from this diagnosis. 35 00:03:50,430 --> 00:03:50,620 So, 36 00:03:50,620 --> 00:03:53,900 if you've ever had that aha moment, 37 00:03:53,910 --> 00:03:55,710 that's what I'm talking about, 38 00:03:55,710 --> 00:04:00,460 because things fall into place and you say, 39 00:04:00,470 --> 00:04:02,780 oh my goodness, 40 00:04:02,7

Join Dr. Regan for this episode on the neurodiversity movement, autism affirming services, and the importance of allowing for complexity in our understanding of autism. Dr. Regan's online presentations with Zur Institute March, 2023: Is my Client on the Spectrum? Dispelling Myths About Autism Diagnoses Autism Assessment: The Seven Diagnostic Criteria Brought to Life Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:07,050 --> 00:00:10,400 Welcome to the podcast Autism in the Adult. 2 00:00:10,540 --> 00:00:12,310 I'm Dr Theresa Regan, 3 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,060 a neuropsychologist, 4 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:16,150 the mother of a teen on the spectrum, 5 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:22,680 and the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic in Central Illinois for adolescents, 6 00:00:22,690 --> 00:00:24,720 adults and aging adults. 7 00:00:26,490 --> 00:00:32,300 Sometimes I get emails from people asking if I perform autism assessments for adults. 8 00:00:32,310 --> 00:00:33,080 And indeed, 9 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:35,030 that's my full time job. 10 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:36,850 So I go to work every day. 11 00:00:36,850 --> 00:00:42,730 I see patients and clients in a medical setting for evaluations and recommendations. 12 00:00:44,260 --> 00:00:58,920 Then I also have other things that I've chosen to do in the topic area of autism because I'm passionate about the people impacted and the positive things that can happen when we understand more about the autistic neurology. 13 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:12,240 I do have a few online presentations coming up through Zur Institute which is a continuing education program for professionals. 14 00:01:12,250 --> 00:01:20,970 I'll include a link in the podcast show notes to these programs so you can look at the descriptions and registration links. 15 00:01:21,340 --> 00:01:26,440 And the first one is Tuesday March 7th 2023. 16 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:27,740 For one hour. 17 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:34,100 The presentation covers information about the basic foundational rules of the autism. 18 00:01:34,100 --> 00:01:45,750 Diagnostic criteria Will be dispelling myths about the foundations and requirements that may prevent people from being referred for assessment appropriately. 19 00:01:45,870 --> 00:01:48,740 And the second presentation is on Saturday, 20 00:01:48,750 --> 00:01:50,210 March 25, 21 00:01:50,220 --> 00:02:02,410 that's for two hours and this presentation will highlight the seven diagnostic criteria what they mean and also what they look like in a clinical case of a young adult female, 22 00:02:02,410 --> 00:02:05,580 just to illustrate some of the concepts. 23 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:08,860 So if you are a clinician or you know, 24 00:02:08,870 --> 00:02:13,420 of professionals in your area who are wanting to learn more about autism, 25 00:02:13,430 --> 00:02:16,420 this may be a good resource opportunity. 26 00:02:16,940 --> 00:02:22,020 The topic of the podcast today is actually not the topic that I had been working on. 27 00:02:22,030 --> 00:02:23,860 Uh to record, 28 00:02:23,870 --> 00:02:29,120 I've had multiple interactions about a different topic over the last few weeks. 29 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:35,460 And it really struck me as perhaps something that would be timely to talk about or helpful to process. 30 00:02:35,470 --> 00:02:37,090 And so in this episode, 31 00:02:37,090 --> 00:02:47,760 I wanted to talk about neurodiversity and autism affirming approaches to serving those on the spectrum. 32 00:02:47,770 --> 00:02:54,790 I'm gonna talk about three things within the context of this episode. 33 00:02:54,790 --> 00:02:57,480 One is just what are we talking about? 34 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,050 What's the definition when we talk about neuro diversity? 35 00:03:01,060 --> 00:03:11,630 The second is what kinds of conditions or characteristics might we want to include under the umbrella of neuro diversity? 36 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:30,220 And the third has to do with a viewpoint that some put forward that says that only individuals who have diagnoses of neuro divergence should be offering services to those on the spectrum. 37 00:03:30,230 --> 00:03:32,820 When we talk about neuro diversity, 38 00:03:32,830 --> 00:03:40,800 we're basically talking about the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. 39 00:03:40,810 --> 00:03:44,570 And this concept of course, 40 00:03:44,570 --> 00:03:47,450 neuro being neurology and diversity, 41 00:03:47,460 --> 00:03:48,760 meaning diversity. 42 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:58,080 So we

Join Dr. Regan for this episode on the quest for balance on the autism spectrum. Whether it's emotional regulation, attention, sleep, social interactions, task initiation, finances and more, finding the "just right" state is difficult for many on the spectrum. Book: The Science of Making Friends Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the Transcript Here: 1 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,610 Hello and welcome back to the podcast Autism in the Adult. 2 00:00:11,620 --> 00:00:12,730 I am your host, 3 00:00:12,730 --> 00:00:14,390 Dr Theresa Regan, 4 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,120 a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:16,130 --> 00:00:18,470 a certified autism specialist. 6 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:23,930 The director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 7 00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:29,590 adults and aging adults in central Illinois and the mother of a teen on the spectrum. 8 00:00:30,660 --> 00:00:48,140 I'm glad you're joining me today for this episode that I'm going to call autism and "just right." This is actually a great topic that was suggested by a listener from Finland and I hope that I am pronouncing the name correctly. 9 00:00:48,140 --> 00:01:07,680 I think it's Maya ... Maya wrote about questions and struggles within the topic of balance in life when you have that autistic neurology, 10 00:01:07,690 --> 00:01:09,270 Maya wrote this. 11 00:01:09,670 --> 00:01:23,030 I would so much love to hear what you have to say about autistic people and the struggle we have with striking a balance in situations where we have to create an appropriate view on or understanding of things? 12 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:29,350 I am convinced that this is the major autistic difficulty that I personally struggle with. 13 00:01:30,110 --> 00:01:34,570 It shows up in different forms for me and on many levels. 14 00:01:35,700 --> 00:01:39,890 I could take a few examples so that you understand what I mean? 15 00:01:39,900 --> 00:01:44,520 Because most often this is not linked to intelligence, 16 00:01:44,530 --> 00:01:46,350 for example, 17 00:01:46,350 --> 00:01:47,490 is this person, 18 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:50,100 a friend who respects me or not, 19 00:01:50,740 --> 00:01:53,230 am I too skinny or even to fat? 20 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:58,050 Should I contact a doctor because of this thing that I'm feeling right now. 21 00:01:58,570 --> 00:02:01,470 How far should I stand by this person's side? 22 00:02:01,660 --> 00:02:04,500 How much should I help him or her? 23 00:02:05,210 --> 00:02:10,820 Exactly how well should I perform in this university course in order to pass. 24 00:02:11,910 --> 00:02:15,030 I want to thank Maya for writing about that. 25 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:29,300 Um this is something I've thought about as well and I think it's one of those really great ways to conceptualize autism aside from specific details. 26 00:02:29,310 --> 00:02:34,510 So sometimes to get the most meaning out of what you're feeling, 27 00:02:34,510 --> 00:02:47,890 it can help to step back and say how is it that all these little pieces of the autistic experience hang together in some ways it can feel so granular, 28 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:51,500 like so many things are impacted. 29 00:02:51,510 --> 00:02:59,120 Why do these things happen at the same time and when we have ways of conceptualizing it? 30 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,450 Um I think it brings meaning. 31 00:03:02,460 --> 00:03:10,290 It helps these little pieces come together as why do I have trouble with these 12 things? 32 00:03:10,300 --> 00:03:11,380 Well, 33 00:03:11,390 --> 00:03:19,090 these 12 things have a thread that go through and when we can step back and see that thread that joins things, 34 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:23,020 I think it really makes things more meaningful. 35 00:03:23,030 --> 00:03:26,210 Um and so that's what I want to do with this topic. 36 00:03:26,210 --> 00:03:32,870 Today I call this the just right state. 37 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:35,570 So she was talking about balance. 38 00:03:35,570 --> 00:03:38,230 That's another great way to term it. 39 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:43,950 Um A lot of times with the neurology that we're talking about, 40 00:03:43,950 --> 00:03:55,770 somebody will have difficulty finding that just right spot of balance where whatever they're attempting is not too much or too little. 41 00:03:56,130 --> 00:04:24,560 And ideally our neurology should help us flow in these areas that we can flow and adjust and we have this innate sense of where we should land to be just right for this context for this person for this topic and we can shift because just right will look different in o

Join Dr. Regan for this episode on neurodiversity and holiday celebrations. Sometimes the most memorable moments come from holding tightly to our foundations and releasing other things that don't fit our season of life or individual needs. Planning a Merry Holiday on the Autism Spectrum, podcast episode 2020 Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:03,870 --> 00:00:09,800 Hello and I'm glad you're joining me today for this episode of Autism in the Adult podcast. 2 00:00:09,810 --> 00:00:12,790 I am your podcast host, 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:14,430 Dr Theresa Regan, 4 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,530 a neuropsychologist. 5 00:00:16,540 --> 00:00:25,010 I am the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic in central Illinois for adolescents, 6 00:00:25,020 --> 00:00:27,830 adults and geriatric patients. 7 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:32,780 I'm a certified autism specialist and the mother of a teen on the spectrum. 8 00:00:33,790 --> 00:00:37,770 Today we are going to talk about the holiday season. 9 00:00:37,780 --> 00:00:41,460 If you are listening to this shortly after its release, 10 00:00:41,470 --> 00:00:45,980 you may be within a holiday season as well. 11 00:00:45,990 --> 00:01:01,120 There are many different meaningful celebrations going on at this time of year across the world and those look different across families and countries and backgrounds and faith experiences. 12 00:01:01,470 --> 00:01:07,150 But many of us are celebrating a yearly, 13 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,310 meaningful 14 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:12,910 moment in our lives and that can get hectic. 15 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:24,980 It can get exciting ... and we're going to talk about how to do that with intention and meaning and hopefully a bit more peace, 16 00:01:24,990 --> 00:01:33,490 particularly in light of the neuro diversity that may be within your home or your extended family. 17 00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:49,930 I published one other holiday episode two years ago and re ran that last year. I will link that in the show notes in case you're wanting even more ideas or information about holiday seasons. 18 00:01:51,580 --> 00:02:00,770 What I wanted to talk to you about today is really something that impacts everyone regardless of generation, 19 00:02:00,770 --> 00:02:06,720 regardless of region that you're from or what you're celebrating. 20 00:02:07,260 --> 00:02:26,270 It impacts those on the autism spectrum and impacts neurotypicals... it's something that also is not specific to holidays that really these are concepts I want to talk about related to anything that we celebrate and re celebrate, 21 00:02:26,270 --> 00:02:33,050 that we have some kind of tradition for ... this meaningful moment or life season. 22 00:02:33,510 --> 00:02:40,420 And this could pertain to how we celebrate birthdays or the birth of a child, 23 00:02:40,430 --> 00:02:42,290 the death of a family member, 24 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:43,320 a wedding, 25 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:44,570 a graduation. 26 00:02:44,580 --> 00:02:47,570 You know that in addition to holidays, 27 00:02:47,570 --> 00:02:52,450 these are events that often have some tradition to them. 28 00:02:52,450 --> 00:02:55,880 Like this is how we 29 00:02:55,890 --> 00:02:57,510 remember this person. 30 00:02:57,510 --> 00:02:59,590 This is how we celebrate this event. 31 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,190 This is this is our tradition. 32 00:03:02,190 --> 00:03:10,420 And what happens in these moments is that we have reproducible 33 00:03:10,430 --> 00:03:13,290 items to how we approach this season. 34 00:03:13,290 --> 00:03:17,340 So we reproduce the birthday celebration. 35 00:03:17,340 --> 00:03:22,740 We reproduce the holiday celebration... that this is what we do every year. 36 00:03:22,740 --> 00:03:24,050 This is our tradition. 37 00:03:24,050 --> 00:03:35,950 This is our expression of joy or meaning or sorrow in the celebration in addition to having a lot of reproduced elements. 38 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:47,990 These are also times with heightened emotion and intensity and whether those emotions are joyous or sorrowful or complicated, 39 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:53,010 they are there and particularly for the holiday season, 40 00:03:53,020 --> 00:03:57,700 I think a lot of times there's this feeling of "This year, 41 00:03:57,700 --> 00:03:59,920 we're going to heighten that excitement. 42 00:03:59,930 --> 00:04:05,240 We're going to heighten the anticipation and it will be the best holiday ever!" 43 00:04:05,250 --> 00:04:14,580 And whether we're doing that for ourselves or for kiddos in our household or wh

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode in this series on autism misdiagnosis. This episode focuses on anxiety-related conditions and when their diagnosis may mean that autism is never considered. Wrapping up this series, Dr. Regan also discusses that after all assessments are concluded, there will be instances when no diagnosis of autism can or should be made. Previous episode -- Abuse, Neglect, and Relational Pain on the Autism Spectrum Dr. Regan's Resources Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:06,730 --> 00:00:07,190 Hello, 2 00:00:07,190 --> 00:00:09,130 this is Dr Theresa Regan. 3 00:00:09,140 --> 00:00:11,790 I am the host of this podcast, 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:13,320 autism in the adult. 5 00:00:13,330 --> 00:00:15,480 I'm a neuropsychologist, 6 00:00:15,490 --> 00:00:23,650 the director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois and a certified autism specialist. 7 00:00:24,330 --> 00:00:32,480 You are joining me for the 4th and final episode of a series on autism and misdiagnosis. 8 00:00:32,490 --> 00:00:36,480 The first episode covered foundational information. 9 00:00:36,490 --> 00:00:39,320 Why does misdiagnosis occur? 10 00:00:40,390 --> 00:00:47,110 That is, why is autism missed while other conditions may be diagnosed Instead. 11 00:00:48,040 --> 00:01:02,860 The next episode focused on personality disorders and we specifically reviewed information about borderline personality and narcissistic personality as potential misdiagnoses for autism. 12 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:12,730 The 3rd episode covered information about bipolar disorder and depression and today's episode will focus on anxiety. 13 00:01:14,620 --> 00:01:25,760 I should say that we could continue this misdiagnosis series for quite some time and cover other really common areas of misdiagnosis ... like schizophrenia, 14 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:27,390 psychotic conditions, 15 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:34,810 dementia and those involving behavioral dysregulation things like oppositional defiant disorder. 16 00:01:35,930 --> 00:01:52,250 I'm not going to dive into all the possible categories because I feel like we've covered several common misdiagnoses and also because the main goal of the series has been to just introduce the concept that misdiagnosis does occur. 17 00:01:52,260 --> 00:02:08,990 And also to illustrate why ... essentially to point out what kinds of elements in the neurology of autism may lead to diagnoses describing these single points but missing the big picture diagnosis of autism. 18 00:02:12,090 --> 00:02:32,480 So we covered the possible misdiagnosis of depression last episode and we're going to talk about anxiety today ... and so I'll share with you my own thoughts based on my personal experiences that anxiety seems to stem at least in part from the neurobiology of autism. 19 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:39,560 Whereas depressed mood as I would define it with this component of emotional struggle, 20 00:02:39,570 --> 00:02:40,790 hopelessness, 21 00:02:40,790 --> 00:02:41,520 helplessness, 22 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:42,540 worthlessness, 23 00:02:42,550 --> 00:02:44,950 loss of pleasure in activities. 24 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:51,540 This seems to be more reactive in the autistic individual to difficult life circumstances. 25 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:59,000 It seems to me that most individuals on the spectrum do experience difficulty with anxiety, 26 00:02:59,010 --> 00:03:07,470 although the strength of this anxiety and how much it impacts their daily life can vary across life seasons. 27 00:03:10,860 --> 00:03:34,090 There is research that has attempted to capture information on the prevalence of anxiety disorders and autism and there are such wide ranging findings that it is a little difficult to really come to a conclusion about the percentage of autistic individuals who do experience noticeable anxiety. 28 00:03:34,970 --> 00:03:43,560 One thing about the research is that many studies focus on individuals who meet full criteria for a certain anxiety disorder. 29 00:03:43,570 --> 00:03:54,510 So, many individuals who experience anxiety and are impacted by this may not meet full criteria and may not be counted in the studies. Also, 30 00:03:54,510 --> 00:03:59,620 I find that it's really common for some individuals to have significant anxiety, 31 00:03:59,630 --> 00:04:01,920 but it looks like something else. 32 00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:03,160 For example, 33 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:08,990 meltdowns and outbursts are often triggered by anxiety in the autistic, 34 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:13,460 but they're interpreted as opposition or conduct d

Join Dr. Regan for the third in this series on autism misdiagnosis. This episode focuses on the misdiagnosis of mood conditions for the autistic individual. Specifically bipolar disorder and depression are reviewed. Exhaustion in Autism: Balancing Momentum for Daily Activities Recognizing Dysregulation on the Autism Spectrum: Fight, Flight, Freeze Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:07,470 Hello, 2 00:00:07,470 --> 00:00:09,420 this is Dr Theresa Regan. 3 00:00:09,430 --> 00:00:15,040 I'm glad you're joining us for today's episode of autism in the adult podcast. 4 00:00:15,050 --> 00:00:25,570 I am a neuropsychologist and the director and founder of a diagnostic autism clinic for adolescents through aging adults in central Illinois. 5 00:00:25,580 --> 00:00:26,940 I am an author, 6 00:00:26,940 --> 00:00:30,600 your podcast host, and the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 7 00:00:31,550 --> 00:00:41,780 You are joining us for the third episode in our series on misdiagnosis for those on the spectrum, and, at a very basic level, 8 00:00:41,790 --> 00:01:02,980 the diagnosis of autism is something that helps us distinguish whether the core emotions and behavioral patterns we see for an individual are the result of their neurology or the result of learning, life experiences, or willful behavior... 9 00:01:02,990 --> 00:01:07,290 that "this is a decision for me to respond this way." 10 00:01:08,530 --> 00:01:15,470 This is a really important starting point to understand the basis for the patterns that we experience or express. 11 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:24,730 And this distinction helps us make good goals and use strategies that are most likely to help us reach the best outcomes for well being. 12 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:25,820 Now, 13 00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:35,170 of course it would be too simplistic to say that a behavioral pattern could be the result entirely of neurology or experience. 14 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:39,780 But because we often miss that neurology piece, 15 00:01:39,790 --> 00:01:42,280 I am highlighting it in this episode. 16 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:44,390 Now, 17 00:01:44,390 --> 00:02:02,060 one of the things that happens for individuals who receive mental health diagnoses is that there's never even a starting point in the diagnostic process where neurology is invited into consideration into the differential. 18 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:04,980 So the differential process is when we say, 19 00:02:04,990 --> 00:02:05,440 okay, 20 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:10,040 these features could be present and these five diagnoses. 21 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:18,090 Now we're going to do our detective work to figure out which diagnosis really matches this individual. 22 00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:21,170 If neurology is not in that process, 23 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:22,010 of course, 24 00:02:22,010 --> 00:02:23,420 we're not going to find it, 25 00:02:23,430 --> 00:02:24,710 we're not looking for it, 26 00:02:24,710 --> 00:02:26,140 we're not looking at it. 27 00:02:28,140 --> 00:02:35,880 The assumption is that the experience of the individual stems from their life experience from their choices. 28 00:02:35,890 --> 00:02:43,440 Uh and that putting diagnoses into two categories of neurologic versus experiential. 29 00:02:43,450 --> 00:02:46,660 Um although it's not that simple, 30 00:02:46,670 --> 00:02:50,470 it is a starting point for the beginning framework. 31 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:50,840 So, 32 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:58,750 I want to raise this idea of neurology being considered in the diagnostic process as really an important place to start, 33 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:06,830 because autism often is not considered as a possibility and the initial diagnostic process. 34 00:03:06,830 --> 00:03:09,640 Many autistic individuals on the spectrum, 35 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:10,250 really, 36 00:03:10,260 --> 00:03:18,750 particularly adults, are given mental health diagnoses that may capture pieces of the picture. 37 00:03:19,140 --> 00:03:26,570 Um but that are not the best description of the person's overall pattern of experience and behavior, 38 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:31,920 and also really missing the point of describing the neurology. 39 00:03:32,780 --> 00:03:33,180 Now, 40 00:03:33,180 --> 00:03:38,500 if you have not listened to the first episode in this series on misdiagnosis, 41 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:40,070 please do that. 42 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:59,860 The foundation for understanding each of these subsequent episodes is really in that first offering. The second episode covered misdiagnosis of

Join Dr. Regan for the second in this series on autism misdiagnosis. This episode focuses on how often and why autism may be misdiagnosed as a personality disorder. Although there are 10 personality disorders outlined in the DSM-5, Dr. Regan focuses on two in this episode: borderline personality and narcissistic personality. Netherlands study of over 1000 autistic individuals Italian study: misdiagnosis Norway case study Borderline Personality Disorder misdiagnosis Recognizing dysregulation on the autism spectrum: podcast episode Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the episode transcript -- 1 00:00:07,070 --> 00:00:08,390 Hello everyone. 2 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:12,770 This is Dr Theresa Regan joining you for the podcast, 3 00:00:12,780 --> 00:00:14,560 autism in the adult. 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,180 I am a neuropsychologist. 5 00:00:18,190 --> 00:00:24,480 I specialize in understanding how the brain impacts personality emotions, 6 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,720 behavior and thinking skills. 7 00:00:26,730 --> 00:00:38,440 I'm a certified autism specialist and the director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois and I'm the parent of a child on the spectrum. 8 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:49,180 You are joining us for the second episode of a series we're doing on misdiagnosis for those who are on the autism spectrum. 9 00:00:50,210 --> 00:00:53,070 If you did not listen to the first episode, 10 00:00:53,070 --> 00:00:54,890 I really encourage you to do that. 12 00:00:55,670 --> 00:01:04,100 There are foundational things that I think will really be illuminating and that I'm not going to be repeating in this episode. 13 00:01:05,230 --> 00:01:06,550 For today's episode, 14 00:01:06,550 --> 00:01:15,940 we're going to focus about when the misdiagnosis has to do with the category of personality disorders. 15 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:17,340 Now, 16 00:01:17,340 --> 00:01:34,990 personality disorders originally really focused on the impact of the environment and early life experiences and parenting and the development of the personality structure. 17 00:01:35,650 --> 00:01:55,910 And when I was in graduate school back in the 90s there was a focus on the fact that there were some studies coming out suggesting that some of the personality disorder categories actually had some influence in genetics. 18 00:01:55,910 --> 00:02:06,170 So this was through adoptive studies and looking at the personality traits of adopted Children as compared to their biological parents. 19 00:02:07,020 --> 00:02:31,810 So that at the time was actually news because the personality theories that dominated the literature had a lot to do with parenting and that personality was a learned experientially based um long term way of interacting with the world. 20 00:02:32,890 --> 00:02:42,420 Now today a lot of the literature explaining that personality disorders are likely caused by multifactorial issues. 21 00:02:42,430 --> 00:02:49,460 So issues of biochemistry and genetics and experience are more prominent. 22 00:02:49,470 --> 00:03:10,390 So the original foundations of personality disorders being in that theory about early life experiences and of course autism being in the category of physically based in the neurology of the individual and really impacted by the genetic code. 23 00:03:11,350 --> 00:03:15,850 There are three clusters of personality disorders, 24 00:03:15,850 --> 00:03:17,060 cluster a, b, and c. 25 00:03:17,670 --> 00:03:25,220 And there are a total of 10 conditions listed in the current diagnostic manual. 26 00:03:25,230 --> 00:03:35,380 So what will the scope of our discussion today be about as regards personality disorders and autism? 27 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:47,230 What will not happen in this episode is that you will not be able to distinguish autism from personality disorders at the end of the episode, 28 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,990 that's really not in the scope of what we can focus on. 29 00:03:51,260 --> 00:03:58,390 And it takes an expert clinician with many years of training and study to do that well. 30 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:05,400 But what we are going to focus on is why this happens and how often it seems to happen. 31 00:04:05,410 --> 00:04:09,950 So why does this misdiagnosis occur? 32 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:14,180 And and how many people does that impact? 33 00:04:15,910 --> 00:04:17,270 As you probably know, 34 00:04:17,270 --> 00:04:22,200 a lot of the literature about autism focuses on early childhood and development. 35 00:04:23,230 --> 00:04:29,790 And more of the literature is beginning to focus on autism across t

Join Dr. Regan for the first in a series on autism misdiagnosis. This episode focuses on why autism is misdiagnosed and how we can do better. Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the episode transcript below: 1 00:00:01,890 --> 00:00:04,590 Hello and welcome to autism. 2 00:00:04,590 --> 00:00:06,170 In the adult podcast. 3 00:00:06,180 --> 00:00:07,450 I am your host, 4 00:00:07,450 --> 00:00:08,890 Dr Theresa Regan. 5 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:10,830 I'm a neuropsychologist. 6 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:19,210 The director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois and the parent of an autistic teen. 7 00:00:19,220 --> 00:00:27,060 I am going to be starting a new series today and that's going to focus on misdiagnosis... 8 00:00:27,060 --> 00:00:27,360 So... 9 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:35,630 people who are on the autism spectrum, who have that autistic neurology, but are diagnosed with something else... 10 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:42,180 typically a mental health diagnosis and oftentimes several diagnoses. 11 00:00:42,950 --> 00:00:50,480 We're going to talk about why that happens and how to understand how we can do better. 12 00:00:51,620 --> 00:00:53,560 As we're starting off, 13 00:00:53,570 --> 00:01:02,030 I am going to tell you a story and the story is called The Parable of the Elephant. 14 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:04,890 And this is a very ancient parable. 15 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:08,320 It has a few variations across cultures. 16 00:01:08,330 --> 00:01:09,370 But it really, 17 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:15,260 I think. speaks to this dilemma that we have about misdiagnosis. 18 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:23,610 There was an ancient village and they had never seen an elephant before. 19 00:01:23,620 --> 00:01:30,450 And you can imagine that when someone brought an elephant into their village it was a big deal. 20 00:01:30,460 --> 00:01:36,070 People wanted to know "what does a creature called an elephant look like?" 21 00:01:36,540 --> 00:01:46,990 And there was also this group of villagers there who were blind and they thought well we aren't going to be able to see the elephant, 22 00:01:46,990 --> 00:01:56,670 but we could put out our hands and we could perceive the elephant through touch and this will let us know what the elephant is like. 23 00:01:58,350 --> 00:02:02,660 So indeed the villagers went to the center of town. 24 00:02:02,670 --> 00:02:06,250 They stood around this creature called an elephant. 25 00:02:06,260 --> 00:02:12,830 In each person put out their hand and they were able to experience the elephant. 26 00:02:14,020 --> 00:02:17,690 So what happened is that the first person said, 27 00:02:17,700 --> 00:02:19,650 oh I get it. 28 00:02:19,660 --> 00:02:22,470 An elephant is like a fan, 29 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:28,900 I've put out my hand and I can feel that it's broad and wavy and thin. 30 00:02:28,910 --> 00:02:31,150 An elephant is like a fan. 31 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:37,980 And here the person had felt the ear of the elephant. 32 00:02:37,990 --> 00:02:40,510 Well the next person said, 33 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:52,780 I do not know what you're talking about because I am right here feeling the elephant and I can tell you that the elephant is broad and tall and wide. 34 00:02:52,790 --> 00:02:55,130 I can't even put my arms out, 35 00:02:55,130 --> 00:03:00,660 but I can just say that that an elephant is like a wall, 36 00:03:00,670 --> 00:03:04,400 it's so big and massive and strong. 37 00:03:05,390 --> 00:03:07,820 The next person disagreed as well, 38 00:03:08,750 --> 00:03:10,290 this person said no, 39 00:03:10,290 --> 00:03:10,480 no, 40 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:11,150 no, 41 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,660 it's... I can put my arms around it, 42 00:03:14,670 --> 00:03:24,490 it's thick and tall but there is an end to it and and it's kind of like a tree trunk or a pillar. 43 00:03:24,500 --> 00:03:30,010 And this person was experiencing the leg ... touching the leg of the elephant. 44 00:03:30,410 --> 00:03:32,740 The next person was at the tail. 45 00:03:32,750 --> 00:03:34,100 They said no, 46 00:03:34,100 --> 00:03:34,890 no, 47 00:03:34,900 --> 00:03:36,850 not like that at all. 48 00:03:36,860 --> 00:03:38,400 This is thin, 49 00:03:38,410 --> 00:03:41,370 it's really... an elephant is like a rope, 50 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:44,200 it's corded and thin and long. 51 00:03:44,210 --> 00:03:46,900 No said the next person, 52 00:03:47,220 --> 00:03:58,960 the elephant is like a snake and they were there at the trunk and they said it's thick and curvy and I can just feel all the textures of the skin, 53 00:03:5

Join Dr. Regan for an episode about what "spectrum" means and why the pattern of neurologic characteristics in each individual is so important to understand. Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the episode transcript: 1 00:00:05,930 --> 00:00:07,750 Hello and welcome. 2 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:09,690 This is Dr Theresa Regan, 3 00:00:09,690 --> 00:00:11,610 your host for this podcast, 4 00:00:11,620 --> 00:00:13,310 autism in the adult. 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:15,600 I am a neuropsychologist, 6 00:00:15,610 --> 00:00:18,080 a certified autism specialist, 7 00:00:18,090 --> 00:00:27,620 the parent of an autistic teenager and the director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois. 8 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:33,720 I am happy that you're joining me today for our episode about spectrum. 9 00:00:33,730 --> 00:00:35,590 What does that mean? 10 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,010 And Why is pattern important? 11 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:47,540 So let me explain a little bit of background as far as where I'm coming from with spectrum and pattern. 12 00:00:48,380 --> 00:00:50,720 So as a neuropsychologist, 13 00:00:50,730 --> 00:00:58,270 I specialize in understanding how brain pathways and brain health impact things like thinking, 14 00:00:58,270 --> 00:01:01,080 skills but also emotions, 15 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:11,420 personality and behavior by looking at how someone's brain is able to process verbal information or learn new information, 16 00:01:11,430 --> 00:01:16,910 pay attention how they're able to balance emotions or plan for the future. 17 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:29,250 The neuropsychologist can make conclusions about the health of the brain or specific ways that the brain has connected informed pathways across different locations. 18 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:42,550 So we know that the brain is divided up into various areas and the locations can have specific functions specific jobs. 19 00:01:42,550 --> 00:01:48,990 So the left hemisphere versus the right hemisphere or the center of the brain versus the outside. 20 00:01:49,090 --> 00:01:56,820 There are also specific nuclei in the center of the brain and there are lobes that we talk about the frontal lobe, 21 00:01:56,820 --> 00:01:57,430 the parietal lobe, 22 00:01:57,430 --> 00:01:58,570 etcetera. 23 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:08,790 So the brain is really special in that the neurology is patterned and localized and there's a function to it. 24 00:02:10,010 --> 00:02:22,300 So one of the ways that a neuropsychologist makes conclusions about those patterns and what's going on in the brain is by looking at the way that the brain behaves. 25 00:02:22,310 --> 00:02:24,780 So how does it do with reading? 26 00:02:24,780 --> 00:02:28,660 How does it do with um staying calm and centered? 27 00:02:28,660 --> 00:02:35,240 And that gives um revelation about the connections, 28 00:02:35,250 --> 00:02:36,230 the anatomy, 29 00:02:36,230 --> 00:02:37,760 how the brain is wired. 30 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:43,220 So a huge focus of what neuropsychologist analyze is. 31 00:02:43,220 --> 00:02:46,370 Not any one score. 32 00:02:46,380 --> 00:02:53,070 Like let's say we give a memory task and a reading task and we look at something called praxis, 33 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,900 we're not gonna look at any one score. 34 00:02:56,900 --> 00:02:58,530 What did this person get correct? 35 00:02:58,530 --> 00:02:59,960 What did they get wrong? 36 00:02:59,970 --> 00:03:01,050 Um No, 37 00:03:01,050 --> 00:03:05,470 we're looking for this data to fall into a pattern. 38 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:10,020 It's the pattern that is really where the revelation is. 39 00:03:10,140 --> 00:03:15,940 And once we get a significant amount of data from a checkup, 40 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:21,290 we look for how these pieces of data hang together. 41 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:27,400 So the pattern should be consistent with the way that the brain is organized anatomically. 42 00:03:27,410 --> 00:03:38,490 So in the same way that a neurologist would check your vision or reflexes your walking patterns to make conclusions about the health and functioning of the brain. 43 00:03:38,670 --> 00:03:45,400 A neuropsychologist also uses information um about patterns. 44 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,620 So we look at cognitive scores, 45 00:03:47,630 --> 00:03:55,560 we make behavioral observations and we uh make conclusions about how the brain is functioning. 46 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:08,640 Different types of situations will have different patterns because various pathways might be impacted uh in a sequence that's really kind of unique

Join Dr. Regan for the second Q and A episode in which she answers listener questions related to CBT therapy, parenting, autism in the workplace, non epileptic seizures, and exercise goals Topics covered in this episode -- askjan.org Workplace Accommodations Time Timers. Link to physical timer here or you can search app stores for Time Timers Regan blog post on non-epileptic seizures Virtual Fitness Challenges Dysregulation podcast series, episode 1 Momentum for Activities podcast series, episode 1 Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the episode transcript here: 2 00:00:02,540 --> 00:00:05,950 Hello and welcome. 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,180 This is Dr Theresa Regan. 4 00:00:08,190 --> 00:00:10,560 I'm a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:10,570 --> 00:00:18,350 a certified autism specialist and the director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois. 6 00:00:18,940 --> 00:00:20,810 I am the author of books, 7 00:00:20,820 --> 00:00:25,260 a speaker and your host for autism in the adult podcast. 8 00:00:26,430 --> 00:00:32,120 Today we're going to continue our question and answer series. 9 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:33,750 It's kind of a mini series. 10 00:00:33,750 --> 00:00:41,480 This is number two and will be our final part of the question and answer episodes for a bit of time. 11 00:00:41,480 --> 00:00:44,720 We're going to pause on those and in the future. 12 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,260 We will bring back some more episodes. 13 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:56,260 Today's questions that I'm going to be answering from listeners across the world 15 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,070 are a little eclectic. 16 00:00:59,070 --> 00:01:03,760 So we're just gonna go through various topics and respond to those. 18 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:11,950 the first question I'm going to tackle is about CBT therapy for those on the spectrum. 19 00:01:11,950 --> 00:01:16,340 And this stands for cognitive behavioral therapy. 20 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:17,310 Um, 21 00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:33,160 what this refers to is a talk therapy where the individual in the sessions works with a therapist to identify their inner state and their outer state. 22 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:38,050 So what are my thoughts and feelings and what are my behaviors? 23 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:43,850 And those three things are linked sometimes they'll add kind of 1/4 category, 24 00:01:43,850 --> 00:01:48,350 which is what am I feeling physically in the moment. 25 00:01:48,940 --> 00:01:49,560 Um, 26 00:01:50,340 --> 00:01:59,600 so the basis of this therapy is to realize that when we feel angry or afraid, 27 00:01:59,610 --> 00:02:00,570 um, 28 00:02:00,580 --> 00:02:09,860 that a lot of times there are thoughts that we have our beliefs that we have that kind of trigger or feed into. 29 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:11,050 Um, 30 00:02:11,740 --> 00:02:16,260 this outcome of having an emotion that feels difficult. 31 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:17,580 So, 32 00:02:17,590 --> 00:02:27,910 if I am really believing and thinking in my head that nothing ever goes right for me. 33 00:02:28,180 --> 00:02:31,350 And let's say I have a flat tire on the way to work. 34 00:02:31,740 --> 00:02:33,220 And um, 35 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:45,370 I just feel so discouraged and hopeless and I'm not really sure why it hit me that much that a flat tire would do that Well. 36 00:02:45,370 --> 00:02:47,060 In this type of therapy, 37 00:02:47,070 --> 00:02:49,270 the therapist would help the person say, 38 00:02:49,270 --> 00:02:49,510 well, 39 00:02:49,510 --> 00:02:54,580 what kinds of things were you thinking related to that emotion? 40 00:02:54,590 --> 00:03:03,520 So the person is trying to train themselves to become more aware of the thoughts that were linked with that emotion of hopelessness. 41 00:03:04,450 --> 00:03:05,930 And you know, 42 00:03:05,930 --> 00:03:10,530 maybe they realize that they are saying to themselves, 43 00:03:10,530 --> 00:03:14,780 this internal mantra of things are never going to get better. 44 00:03:14,790 --> 00:03:17,370 Nothing happens. 45 00:03:17,380 --> 00:03:18,300 Um, 46 00:03:18,310 --> 00:03:19,900 to give me a break, 47 00:03:19,910 --> 00:03:21,450 nothing goes right for me. 48 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:22,960 So then, 49 00:03:22,970 --> 00:03:23,370 you know, 50 00:03:23,370 --> 00:03:28,280 the person can then challenge those thoughts and they can say, 51 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:28,870 well, 52 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:33,460 is it 100% true that nothing ever goes right for you? 53 00:03:33,940 --> 00:03:41,040 And it's not really that the therapy teaches you to replace negative

Join Dr. Regan for an episode in which she answers listener questions related to autism and the physical body. Topics include genetics, brain pathways and neurology, nature versus nurture, medications, and nutrition/diet. Genetics and Autism article Neurogenetics: Smith-Magenis Syndrome Autism and Medication review Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the Transcript: 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:14,410 Hello and thanks for joining me. 3 00:00:14,420 --> 00:00:18,220 This is Dr Theresa Regan welcoming you to the podcast, 4 00:00:18,230 --> 00:00:19,960 autism in the adult. 5 00:00:19,970 --> 00:00:22,170 I am a neuropsychologist, 6 00:00:22,180 --> 00:00:24,880 a certified autism specialist. 7 00:00:24,890 --> 00:00:30,150 The director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 8 00:00:30,340 --> 00:00:32,100 adults and aging. 9 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:36,760 Adults in Illinois and the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:47,950 Last episode I invited listeners to write in questions they would like me to field in a question and answer podcast. 11 00:00:48,640 --> 00:01:01,940 So what I've done is that I have gone through and tried to group some of the questions into related categories and I won't get to all of the questions in this episode. 12 00:01:01,940 --> 00:01:09,560 But I am going to focus on several questions today that have to do with autism and the physical body. 13 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,150 So we're going to review things like genetics, 14 00:01:14,460 --> 00:01:18,850 neuro anatomy and the physical brain in autism. 15 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:26,060 We're also going to talk about things like nutrition and diet and other physical aspects, 16 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,160 things that may impact the individual on the spectrum. 17 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:33,450 Let's take the topic of genetics First. 18 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:57,660 A recent article about the genetics of autism found that at least 80 percent of the likelihood that someone will have autism neurology is driven by the genetic code and it's the code that impacts the development of the neurology within that individual. 19 00:01:58,040 --> 00:01:58,390 So, 20 00:01:58,390 --> 00:02:04,960 the neurology includes of course the brain and its nuclei and its pathways, 21 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,850 genetics includes code, 22 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:11,650 parts that are inherited that is, 23 00:02:11,650 --> 00:02:20,340 there are some families with autism characteristics across multiple family members. 24 00:02:20,430 --> 00:02:24,460 Some members may not have any characteristics, 25 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,960 some may have a clustering of autistic characteristics, 26 00:02:28,970 --> 00:02:31,420 but not a formal diagnosis. 27 00:02:31,420 --> 00:02:37,650 They don't meet full threshold for the diagnosis and others will meet full threshold. 28 00:02:38,140 --> 00:02:42,230 So for some people who are diagnosed with autism, 29 00:02:42,230 --> 00:02:44,760 they can see characteristics, 30 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:49,450 qualities of this neurology and various family members, 31 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:57,230 genetics also includes possible alterations in the code during development. 32 00:02:57,230 --> 00:03:02,210 So it can also mean that the genetics were not inherited, 33 00:03:02,220 --> 00:03:10,950 but that there were some unexpected alterations of the code as the brain and the nervous system were developing. 34 00:03:11,540 --> 00:03:22,250 That brings forth this autistic neurology and it is not as simple as saying that someone has the gene and someone does not. 35 00:03:22,260 --> 00:03:34,660 This is a hugely complex Condition that is a reflection of at least 200 likely many more genetic contributions. 36 00:03:35,140 --> 00:03:46,850 So that can be part of why we see autism on a spectrum that a certain clustering of genetics may produce certain characteristics, 37 00:03:46,850 --> 00:03:49,800 while another clustering may produce others, 38 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:51,010 we just don't know, 39 00:03:51,020 --> 00:03:54,410 we're not at the point where we have all of that nailed down, 40 00:03:54,410 --> 00:04:06,960 but what we do know is that genetics plays a role in the development of the nervous system and specifically in the development of the neurology associated with autism. 41 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:10,670 Also, 42 00:04:10,670 --> 00:04:18,460 autism may co occur with other physical conditions that are related to genetics. 43 00:04:19,140 --> 00:04:21,750 They're related to development. 44 00:04:22,140 --> 00:04:22,680 Um, 45 00:04:

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode in this series about how autistic characteristics may shift across the lifespan. This episode focuses on the life season of aging, including year 50 and beyond. Recognizing Dysregulation on the Autism Spectrum Gaining Momentum for Daily Activities Email questions for Q and A podcast episode with Dr. Regan to [email protected] Executive function book series (choose the book with the age range you are interested in): Smart But Scattered Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:02,540 --> 00:00:05,010 Hi everyone, 2 00:00:05,020 --> 00:00:19,460 this is dr Regan joining you again for our final episode here on autism in the adult in our series about shifts in the characteristics of autism across the lifespan. 3 00:00:20,330 --> 00:00:21,530 Many of you know, 4 00:00:21,530 --> 00:00:24,160 already that I am a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:24,540 --> 00:00:27,360 I'm a certified autism specialist, 6 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:38,850 an author podcast host here at autism in the adult and the founder and director of a diagnostic autism clinic for adolescents, 7 00:00:38,850 --> 00:00:41,960 adults and aging adults in central Illinois. 8 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:46,760 We're going to get into this final episode of our series. 9 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:48,560 But before we do that, 10 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,850 I want to talk to you about our next episode. 11 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:59,760 I do have some ideas for topics for more episodes and another series, 12 00:01:00,140 --> 00:01:06,040 but I'm thinking that what I'd really like to do is to make space for an episode, 13 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:18,220 answering your questions or talking about um maybe a particular statement or question or term that you would like some feedback about. 14 00:01:18,230 --> 00:01:24,160 So I'm either going to do that for the next episode or sometime soon. 15 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:30,400 If you do have a question you would like me to cover or something to comment on. 16 00:01:30,940 --> 00:01:42,060 You can email that to me at my professional email which is [email protected]. 17 00:01:42,740 --> 00:01:47,260 [email protected]. 18 00:01:48,340 --> 00:01:53,480 And I cannot comment on any particular personal issue. 19 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:56,080 Like I can't give you personal advice. 20 00:01:56,090 --> 00:02:06,290 But if you have a general question about what something looks like in autism or an approach people take for a certain situation, 21 00:02:06,300 --> 00:02:09,760 you can certainly email those questions in. 22 00:02:10,340 --> 00:02:17,700 I will try to get as many as I can and respond to those in an episode. 23 00:02:17,710 --> 00:02:20,930 I may not get to all of the questions, 24 00:02:20,940 --> 00:02:24,860 but I can save them for future episodes. 25 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:30,480 If there are questions that really should be a whole episode or series, 26 00:02:30,490 --> 00:02:32,850 I'll go ahead and save those as well. 27 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:41,660 But I hope you will participate and will have kind of a question and answer session for those things that are on your mind. 28 00:02:43,640 --> 00:02:47,960 So as we round out the final episode in our series, 29 00:02:49,140 --> 00:02:53,610 those of you who have followed the other episodes, 30 00:02:53,620 --> 00:03:10,760 you'll know that the way that I've structured my thoughts is that I'm going to present first on issues related to the physical body and changes in the development um or aging of the body and also the biochemistry. 31 00:03:11,340 --> 00:03:20,540 And then I talk about things related to changing life circumstances that as we live life across seasons, 32 00:03:20,630 --> 00:03:27,460 the things that we are in charge of doing or striving to do these kinds of things shift. 33 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:38,660 And we also just talk about the interchange of both the physical shifting and the changes in life circumstances. 34 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:41,800 So during adolescence, 35 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,560 we talked about how we have a lot going on in the physical body. 36 00:03:45,940 --> 00:03:58,320 We have development of the body as a whole and of the brain and we have hormone shifts and also a lot of increased demand on the individual with things like academics, 37 00:03:58,330 --> 00:04:04,760 independence and the social environment during pregnancy or menopause for example, 38 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:18,710 there are lots of physical and biochemical changes and these intersect with th

Join Dr. Regan for the third episode in this series about how autistic characteristics may shift across the lifespan. This episode focuses on the life seasons of women, including monthly cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Tune in next time for the final episode in the series which will focus on autism and aging. You may also enjoy the episode: Autism in Women Published Articles for Additional Reading: “Life is Much More Difficult to Manage During Periods”: Autistic Experiences of Menstruation Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in autism: a prospective observer-rated study Sensory challenges experienced by autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth: a systematic review Exploratory Study of Childbearing Experiences of Women with Asperger Syndrome ‘When my autism broke’: A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the episode content: 1 00:00:04,740 --> 00:00:06,280 Hi and welcome back. 2 00:00:06,290 --> 00:00:08,130 This is Dr Theresa Regan, 3 00:00:08,140 --> 00:00:10,070 a neuropsychologist, 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,210 mother of a teen on the spectrum author, 5 00:00:13,210 --> 00:00:17,250 speaker and your podcast host for autism in the adult. 6 00:00:17,740 --> 00:00:27,800 You are joining us for the 3rd episode in a four part series on variations in the characteristics of autism across the lifespan. 7 00:00:29,140 --> 00:00:46,260 Our first episode focused on just foundational knowledge about neurology and why we can expect neurologic characteristics to feel and be expressed with some variation across time and also across context. 8 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:56,760 The second episode focused on adolescents as a season of the lifespan during which some of these variations can become really noticeable. 9 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,470 There's chemical changes going on, 10 00:00:59,470 --> 00:01:00,730 physical development. 11 00:01:00,740 --> 00:01:09,260 A lot of increase in independence is requested of the person and also just the demands of social interaction, 12 00:01:09,270 --> 00:01:11,010 academic demands, 13 00:01:11,020 --> 00:01:15,560 all these things converging to sometimes make that perfect storm. 14 00:01:17,140 --> 00:01:32,790 This third episode is going to focus on women because there are really some pretty market hormone shifts that females experience across their lifespan and these can be accompanied by shifts in the experience of autism. 15 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:37,000 So we want to focus specifically on that topic today. 16 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:38,450 For the episode, 17 00:01:40,740 --> 00:01:49,760 we're going to review issues related to a woman's monthly cycle to pregnancy and post pregnancy issues and also to menopause. 18 00:01:50,940 --> 00:02:04,160 I'm going to include links to some articles in the show notes for those who want to read more and I'll let you know that many of the articles really focus on solely identifying that this area needs more study. 19 00:02:04,170 --> 00:02:08,570 So you may start to read thinking that it's going to tell you something. 20 00:02:08,570 --> 00:02:10,420 We don't know when really, 21 00:02:10,420 --> 00:02:11,260 it's just saying, 22 00:02:11,260 --> 00:02:11,580 gosh, 23 00:02:11,580 --> 00:02:13,110 there's not much out there. 24 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:27,920 We really should be looking at this more in particular and then other studies focus on gathering comments and taking surveys of women on the spectrum and really listening to the experiences of autistic women, 25 00:02:27,930 --> 00:02:30,830 which I think is really informative and helpful. 26 00:02:30,830 --> 00:02:37,310 So we are going to kind of focus on that side of things for the majority of this episode. 27 00:02:39,540 --> 00:02:42,960 So we focused on adolescents in the second episode. 28 00:02:43,340 --> 00:02:52,270 But here we're going to focus specifically on the seasons and a female's lifespan beyond adolescence. 29 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:57,050 So we are going to start with the topic of monthly cycles in particular. 30 00:02:57,740 --> 00:02:59,850 So these begin during adolescence, 31 00:02:59,850 --> 00:03:06,690 but they continue across much of the female's lifespan and they can impact individuals differently. 32 00:03:06,700 --> 00:03:07,280 So, 33 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,560 across all human females, 34 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:18,830 there is a lot of variation on how that cycle impacts them how much um consistency they experience in that area, 35 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,500 what kinds of changes in their physical state, 36 00:0

Join Dr. Regan for the second episode in this series about how autistic characteristics may shift across the lifespan. This episode focuses on the life season of adolescence. Stay tuned for the next episodes in the series to hear about hormonal shifts in women and autism in the aging adult (50's and beyond). Recognizing Dysregulation on the Autism Spectrum: Fight, Flight, Freeze Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the Transcript: 1 00:00:03,340 --> 00:00:08,560 Hello and welcome to this episode of Autism in the Adult podcast, 2 00:00:08,940 --> 00:00:10,030 I am your host, 3 00:00:10,040 --> 00:00:11,550 Dr Theresa Regan. 4 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:13,980 I am a neuropsychologist. 5 00:00:13,990 --> 00:00:23,750 The director of an adult diagnostic autism clinic in central Illinois, and I'm the mother of a teen on the autism spectrum. 6 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:45,660 We are starting the second episode of a four part series today and the series is about characteristics of autism that fluctuate or shift across the lifespan according to different seasons in life of the individual or changes in the environment. 7 00:00:46,340 --> 00:00:53,960 And our first episode in this series was that foundational information about shifting characteristics, 8 00:00:53,970 --> 00:01:06,460 shifts in how the individual experiences the characteristics and how those around them experience or are impacted by these autistic characteristics. 9 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:08,500 Today, 10 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:09,700 in the second episode, 11 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:26,360 we're going to focus on the time period of adolescence in the lifespan and talk about why that can be such a huge shift and why there can be so many changes for the individual at that time. 12 00:01:27,540 --> 00:01:47,860 one of the things we covered last time is that the changes in how we experience ourselves and express ourselves are often impacted by characteristics of the person that would include their physical development, 13 00:01:47,860 --> 00:01:49,540 the development of the brain, 14 00:01:49,550 --> 00:01:56,220 the biochemistry of the body and the brain also... things like the environment. 15 00:01:56,230 --> 00:01:59,770 So what kinds of demands are in the environment, 16 00:01:59,770 --> 00:02:05,860 what kind of assistance and structure are within that environment at the time. 17 00:02:07,340 --> 00:02:18,860 Things that may shift may also include coping strategies that we've learned certain things we've learned to mask something or to cope with something and regulate ourselves better. 18 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:24,360 Let's start with the physical person during adolescence. 19 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:37,980 So one thing that happens of course is that the physical body has been developing and changing and during adolescence there's just a lot of acceleration in that we've got a lot more muscle mass, 20 00:02:37,980 --> 00:02:39,510 you've got a lot of height, 21 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,560 the voice changes etcetera. 22 00:02:42,140 --> 00:02:48,110 And the person at the end of that whole cycle has a different body in many respects. 23 00:02:48,740 --> 00:03:09,660 And one of the things that clients on the spectrum have discussed with me is that for people who like consistency and predictability and who they are and what's happening sometimes this season of having a different body can really be frustrating and upsetting. 24 00:03:10,140 --> 00:03:13,100 And I've had clients say, 25 00:03:13,110 --> 00:03:14,240 you know, 26 00:03:14,250 --> 00:03:16,420 this is not my body. 27 00:03:16,430 --> 00:03:20,920 I really want my 10 year old body back because that was me. 28 00:03:20,930 --> 00:03:37,320 It felt like my internal person was connected to that physical person and to have so many things change without my permission so that I'm a different height and weight and I just don't feel like this is my body anymore. 29 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,430 I just don't like it. 30 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:44,090 I want to go back in time and to have my original body, 31 00:03:44,090 --> 00:03:46,650 the body that fits my personhood. 32 00:03:50,140 --> 00:03:55,270 Sometimes this will come out where people say I as an adult, 33 00:03:55,280 --> 00:04:04,660 focused a lot on staying at the weight of 118 because that's what my weight was when I stopped getting taller. 34 00:04:04,660 --> 00:04:07,190 So when I graduated from high school, 35 00:04:07,190 --> 00:04:13,440 I was 118 And I really can't tolerate being 120. 36 00:04:13,450 --> 00:04:16,770 I can't tolerate being 100 and 10. 37 00:04:16,7

Join Dr. Regan for the first episode in her new series about how autistic characteristics may shift across the lifespan. This episode focuses on why this happens (i.e., changes in the individual and the environment). Stay tuned for the next episodes in the series to hear about changes during adolescence, hormonal shifts in women, and aging (50's and beyond). Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the Episode Transcript: 1 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:07,080 Hi everyone, 2 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:14,860 this is Dr Theresa Regan and thank you for joining me for a new episode of autism in the adult podcast. 3 00:00:14,870 --> 00:00:29,450 We are starting a new series today and it is going to focus on how the characteristics of autism may shift in their expression or in the experience of the individual across the lifespan. 4 00:00:30,340 --> 00:00:35,610 I'm happy to share my experiences about this as a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:41,260 a certified autism specialist and the mother of a teen on the spectrum. 6 00:00:42,940 --> 00:00:59,850 We are starting this new series and I plan to have four episodes that are outlining some of these shifts that we can see in what autism feels like and what it looks like across the lifespan of the individual. 7 00:01:00,940 --> 00:01:14,180 The reason that I want to focus on this topic is that it does feel confusing to many people as to why would there be shifts? if I'm seeing something that changes over time, 8 00:01:14,180 --> 00:01:26,360 doesn't it mean that something new has happened or that it's not related to an underlying kind of neurologic framework that is part of the foundation of the brain itself. 9 00:01:27,740 --> 00:01:28,970 And indeed, 10 00:01:28,980 --> 00:01:30,890 in the diagnostic manual, 11 00:01:30,890 --> 00:02:01,470 many clinicians really focused on an important part of the criteria which is that the characteristics have to be present across multiple contexts in order to make this diagnosis -- and that is to safeguard from having a diagnosis established when in fact there's just something about the environment or the combination of the environment and the person that triggers similar characteristics. 12 00:02:01,470 --> 00:02:01,980 So, 13 00:02:01,990 --> 00:02:03,710 for example, 14 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:12,950 if somebody is really triggered and has flashbacks in a certain environment related to trauma, 15 00:02:13,740 --> 00:02:21,760 we don't want to call that autism and perhaps we can tell the difference because in other setting, 16 00:02:21,770 --> 00:02:29,360 they really seem to feel centered and to interact easily with others and not show the same pattern. 17 00:02:29,370 --> 00:02:38,350 Or perhaps someone just has a real struggle connecting with a certain person because of past experiences. 18 00:02:38,350 --> 00:02:46,160 But their ability to connect across environments with a large range of people is where we would expect it to be. 19 00:02:47,740 --> 00:02:48,430 So, 20 00:02:48,430 --> 00:02:50,470 there is a reason that, 21 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:51,200 you know, 22 00:02:51,210 --> 00:03:00,360 the emphasis is placed on the fact that this is something seen across time and across context. 23 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,030 But at the same time, 24 00:03:03,340 --> 00:03:14,460 I think we need to understand that there can be shifts in what the characteristics feel like and how they are expressed or what they look like to other people. 25 00:03:15,740 --> 00:03:21,990 So this first episode is going to be about some foundational things, 26 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,260 how the brain works. 27 00:03:23,260 --> 00:03:28,360 We're going to talk about the criteria and what the text actually says. 28 00:03:28,740 --> 00:03:36,660 and we're going to talk about the trajectory of some of the changes that we can see within autism across the lifespan. 29 00:03:37,340 --> 00:03:49,400 The second episode I'm planning will have to do with that age range of adolescence through young adulthood and changes that we may see during that period of time. 30 00:03:50,240 --> 00:04:01,960 The third episode will have to do with hormonal shifts and the impact of shifting biochemistry on those autistic characteristics. 31 00:04:02,540 --> 00:04:15,550 A good part of this discussion will center around autism and women as we'll be talking about various hormone shifts in adulthood that will include monthly cycles, 32 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:16,670 pregnancy, 33 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:18,960 breast feeding and menopause. 34 00:04:18,970 --> 00:04:24,970 And the fourth and final episode w

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode of the series "Talking About Autism." This episode focuses on how talk to others when you see autistic characteristics in them. New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 00:00:02,540 --> 00:00:06,380 Hello everyone. 3 00:00:06,390 --> 00:00:13,200 This is Dr Theresa Regan and you are joining me for this episode of autism in the adult podcast. 4 00:00:13,210 --> 00:00:15,620 I am a neuropsychologist, 5 00:00:15,630 --> 00:00:23,730 the parent of a teen on the spectrum and I'm the director of a diagnostic autism clinic for adolescents, 6 00:00:23,730 --> 00:00:26,960 adults and aging adults in central Illinois. 7 00:00:27,540 --> 00:00:33,220 And we are in the third uh segment here of the series that we're calling, 8 00:00:33,220 --> 00:00:34,890 talking about autism, 9 00:00:34,900 --> 00:00:43,350 which has been a listener requested series and a really great topic to review together and discuss. 10 00:00:43,930 --> 00:00:54,260 The first episode was about personal journeys towards getting a diagnosis or receiving a diagnosis and how to communicate with others about that. 11 00:00:54,740 --> 00:01:01,570 The second episode was about navigating emotional atmospheres when talking about autism. 12 00:01:01,570 --> 00:01:02,950 For some reason, 13 00:01:02,970 --> 00:01:21,150 the topic can be very emotionally charged and it can be unexpected at times and intense and thinking about how to navigate all those emotions can help if you're wanting to talk more about the topic with other people. 14 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:30,930 Uh and this episode is about talking about autism to others when its characteristics in them that you identify, 15 00:01:30,930 --> 00:01:41,060 that you wonder if they might be on the spectrum and you're wanting to bring up the topic and just kind of um suggest that to them or see if they've thought about it. 16 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:55,060 What I'm going to do first is a segment where I'm going to lay the foundation for how I explain autism to other people. 17 00:01:55,540 --> 00:02:02,610 I think this Foundation may at times be something that you need a way of verbalizing. 18 00:02:02,610 --> 00:02:04,960 If you're going to bring up the topic to others. 19 00:02:05,250 --> 00:02:06,650 This may help some of you. 20 00:02:06,650 --> 00:02:09,100 It may be old hat for some of you. 21 00:02:09,540 --> 00:02:16,530 Um But it'll be after we review that foundational kind of information that I talk about. 22 00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:24,360 Some ways to approach people and ways to talk about the topic or introduced the topic. 23 00:02:26,640 --> 00:02:30,060 So when we talk about autism, 24 00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:53,660 you may be talking to someone who has less knowledge than you do about what it is and at some point in the conversation you may be wanting to clarify what it is so that they can consider the information um in a really accurate way. 25 00:02:55,840 --> 00:03:03,850 What autism is is a neuro behavioral developmental condition that's neurologic. 26 00:03:04,340 --> 00:03:09,800 Uh So what it means is that the brain, 27 00:03:09,810 --> 00:03:17,060 because it's in charge of our thinking skills are academic skills are motor coordination, 28 00:03:17,070 --> 00:03:18,980 our emotions, 29 00:03:18,980 --> 00:03:21,110 our personality structure, 30 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:22,950 our behavioral patterns. 31 00:03:23,340 --> 00:03:40,450 Um Sometimes the brain has kind of an atypical wiring from birth that whereas one individual may be born with some atypical bone structure or an atypical heart valve. 32 00:03:40,460 --> 00:03:48,150 Um Others are born with an unusual pattern of neurological wiring and that's what this is. 33 00:03:48,430 --> 00:03:57,710 So it's a physical state and research at this point shows us that it's largely driven by the genetic code, 34 00:03:57,710 --> 00:04:20,750 which is not surprising in the sense that we now know it's not the result of poor parenting or um other things that decades ago people were talking about but that it's really um kind of this condition of how the code was revealed during development and how the body developed. 35 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:27,360 Sometimes for the individuals with developmental differences, 36 00:04:27,370 --> 00:04:32,280 They have a few um atypical areas in their body. 37 00:04:32,280 --> 00:04:37,530 So one person might have a heart valve problem from birth. 38 00:04:37,530 --> 00:04:41,610 That's a congenital difference and may have autism. 39 00:04:41,610 --> 00:04:54,890 And in fact That is um true in the research that

Join Dr. Regan for the second episode of the series "Talking About Autism." This episode focuses on how the thoughtful navigation of emotions during conversations about autism can create space and freedom for more discussions. New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 00:00:05,740 --> 00:00:06,480 Hello, 3 00:00:06,490 --> 00:00:12,460 This is Dr Theresa Regan. Thank you for joining me for this episode of Autism in the Adult. 4 00:00:13,140 --> 00:00:19,260 I am happy that you're joining us for this series called Talking about Autism. 5 00:00:19,270 --> 00:00:37,150 This is the second episode, and I had originally predicted it was going to be about talking to others when you see autistic characteristics in them and you wonder if a diagnostic evaluation would be helpful for them? 6 00:00:38,740 --> 00:00:44,170 What happened is that, as I'm mulling around the topics for the series, 7 00:00:44,180 --> 00:00:49,560 I really couldn't get my mind off what was going to be the 3rd episode -- 8 00:00:50,140 --> 00:00:56,260 which I'm going to call "navigating emotional atmospheres"... when we're talking about autism. 9 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:13,790 And I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to cover that topic here in the second episode because I feel like it's really important to consider before we talk to other people about autistic characteristics. 10 00:01:13,790 --> 00:01:20,860 How would we navigate the emotions that are sometimes present around the topic itself? 11 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:39,160 Last episode we talked about Talking About Autism when you are on a journey toward evaluation yourself ... when you're considering that, or when you have a new diagnosis and you might want to talk to people about your diagnosis and about autism. 12 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:40,960 So, 13 00:01:40,960 --> 00:01:50,260 this episode is going to be focused a little bit more on navigating the complexity of people's emotional responses. 14 00:01:50,740 --> 00:01:54,850 And as we talked about in the first episode, 15 00:01:54,850 --> 00:02:03,690 it really is an emotionally charged topic and in some ways that's a bit mystifying to me. 16 00:02:03,700 --> 00:02:12,650 ... the amount of emotion people have about a topic that sometimes they're not even really impacted by on a personal level, 18 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:22,160 but talking about autism often does involve navigating emotional atmospheres. 19 00:02:22,780 --> 00:02:23,000 Um, 20 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:27,760 and it's hard to predict what the atmosphere is going to look like or how complex it is. 21 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:38,010 Sometimes the atmosphere may be charged because we would like to talk to someone about the topic and how it impacts, 22 00:02:38,010 --> 00:02:38,690 let's say, 23 00:02:38,690 --> 00:02:40,110 our own family, 24 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,600 or how it impacts someone in the family or how it impacts you. 25 00:02:44,610 --> 00:02:51,730 And there can just be this unusual response of 26 00:02:51,740 --> 00:02:53,630 a lot of emotional charge. 27 00:02:53,640 --> 00:03:04,360 I spoke with a young woman recently who was saying that she was shocked at how angry people in her family were when she brought the topic up. 28 00:03:04,940 --> 00:03:10,160 And that is not an unusual thing for someone to share, that 29 00:03:10,170 --> 00:03:12,310 it can really charge people up. 30 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:13,660 And um, 31 00:03:14,350 --> 00:03:17,440 sometimes you're not just bringing up a topic, 32 00:03:17,450 --> 00:03:22,560 you're bringing up all this emotional processing and content. 33 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:25,270 Other times, 34 00:03:25,270 --> 00:03:30,560 people on this journey toward an autism diagnosis or self awareness, 35 00:03:30,940 --> 00:03:33,150 they may feel other emotions too. 36 00:03:33,150 --> 00:03:39,460 They might feel relief that they finally understand how they're wired. 37 00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:40,330 Um, 38 00:03:40,330 --> 00:03:51,550 they might share that this is such a meaningful and important thing to them that they really have a lot of emotion about the value of the diagnosis. 39 00:03:52,140 --> 00:03:55,130 Other people may really be in a different spot. 40 00:03:55,130 --> 00:03:59,150 They might be in this spot where they're processing. 41 00:03:59,160 --> 00:03:59,740 Um, 42 00:03:59,750 --> 00:04:01,040 just surprise. 43 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:05,950 Like they were not expecting it, processing maybe grief or fear. 44 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:06,730 Um, 45 00:04:06,740 --> 00:04:24,830 a lot of emotions can come with this diagnosis or this di

Join Dr. Regan for this first episode of the new series "Talking About Autism." This episode focuses on talking about autism when you are on a journey toward diagnosis and after you have received a diagnosis. New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:03,540 --> 00:00:07,840 Hello and welcome to this episode of Autism in the Adult. 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:09,020 I am your host, 3 00:00:09,020 --> 00:00:10,510 Dr Theresa Regan. 4 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:12,600 I'm a neuropsychologist. 5 00:00:12,620 --> 00:00:15,060 I am a certified autism specialist, 6 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:23,750 the director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adults in central Illinois, and the mother of a teen and the spectrum. 7 00:00:24,550 --> 00:00:27,630 I am starting a new series of episodes today. 8 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:33,040 I think this may end up being a 3-4 part series. 9 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:34,330 We'll see how it goes. 10 00:00:34,340 --> 00:00:40,060 Um and basically the series is going to be called "Talking About Autism." 11 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:50,490 And this was a listener request... from multiple listeners that have emailed about "How do I talk about this to other people, 12 00:00:50,490 --> 00:00:52,570 whether that's my own diagnosis, 13 00:00:52,570 --> 00:00:56,720 whether that's talking to people that I think may be on the spectrum, 14 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:07,320 but they haven't been thinking in that direction... and how do I navigate all the emotion that sometimes comes with these kinds of discussions?" 15 00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:12,460 So we're going to take some time to sort through some of those topics. 16 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:22,680 I believe that this topic is really important, and that's why I have set aside to do a series of episodes about the topic. 17 00:01:22,690 --> 00:01:31,780 I also feel like this is probably one of the most challenging episodes that I've put my mind to here. 18 00:01:31,790 --> 00:01:59,210 And that is because in some ways it's a lot easier to present some research and a list of facts and definitions of terms than to talk about these concepts and experiences and to wrap words around things that are perhaps more personal or experiential is a little more challenging, but worth it I think... 19 00:01:59,210 --> 00:02:00,260 but challenging. 20 00:02:00,270 --> 00:02:05,960 And one of the challenges is probably to make some organization of it. 22 00:02:06,750 --> 00:02:11,650 ... So there's some cohesion in what we're talking about in each episode. 23 00:02:12,140 --> 00:02:13,810 So in this first episode, 24 00:02:13,810 --> 00:02:22,700 I'm going to cover the topic of talking about your own autism diagnosis to other people, 25 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:25,060 and I'm going to cover two things. 26 00:02:25,060 --> 00:02:37,560 One is if you're an individual who's thinking about starting a journey toward evaluation, and you're talking to people about your desire to do this, 27 00:02:37,940 --> 00:02:38,340 um, 28 00:02:38,340 --> 00:02:45,270 some of what we review will have to do with this kind of process ... this starting of that journey. 29 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:46,590 And also, 30 00:02:46,590 --> 00:02:50,800 then we'll finish by talking about once you have a diagnosis, 31 00:02:50,810 --> 00:02:51,930 um, 32 00:02:51,940 --> 00:02:54,270 who do you talk to about it? 33 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:55,960 How do you bring it up? 34 00:02:56,340 --> 00:02:56,890 Um, 35 00:02:56,900 --> 00:03:00,750 how does that go after you have a diagnosis? 36 00:03:01,140 --> 00:03:01,660 Um, 37 00:03:01,660 --> 00:03:13,960 so we're going to jump in first with that process that perhaps you're someone who's been thinking about yourself or been thinking about, 38 00:03:13,970 --> 00:03:14,870 um, 39 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:16,890 perhaps your loved one, 40 00:03:16,890 --> 00:03:28,020 Maybe your partner has been thinking about this and wants you to join them in this journey or you have a child or adolescent that you think may be on the spectrum. 41 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:28,360 And, 42 00:03:28,370 --> 00:03:35,550 and this is just the beginning of a quest to figure out more information. 43 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:43,910 One of the really unusual things I think about autism as a diagnosis is that for some reason, 44 00:03:43,910 --> 00:04:00,060 and I don't really understand why, everyone really seems to have an opinion about this topic as far as whether you actually are or are not on the spectrum. 45 00:04:01,140 --> 00:04:03,120 And it's, 46 00:04:03,130 --> 00:04:03,780 again, 47 00:04:03,780 --> 00:04:09,280 mystif

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode of a four part series on regulation and dysregulation on the autism spectrum. This episode focuses on recognizing when an individual is attempting to regulate and using this information to partner toward the best outcome. New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website Resources for Clinicians Transcript of Episode 1 00:00:00,340 --> 00:00:03,370 This is Dr Theresa Regan. 2 00:00:03,380 --> 00:00:10,830 I'm a neuropsychologist and I specialize in understanding the way that the brain is related to emotions, 3 00:00:10,830 --> 00:00:13,000 behavior, cognition -- 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,430 thinking skills -- and also personality. 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,910 I'm a certified autism specialist. 6 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:24,060 I'm the director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adults in Illinois. 7 00:00:24,070 --> 00:00:26,650 And I'm the mother of a teen on the spectrum. 8 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:35,960 This is our final episode of a four point series on regulation and dysegulation on the autism spectrum. 9 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:37,640 In the first episode, 10 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:39,800 we talked about what those words mean. 11 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:49,130 So regulation has to do with the nervous system's ability to help us stay centered with alertness... 12 00:00:49,140 --> 00:01:02,480 whether we are able to wake up quickly and efficiently in the morning and are able to wind down to sleep in the evening ... that has to do with regulation of our alertness, 13 00:01:02,490 --> 00:01:04,900 Also regulation of attention... 14 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:14,000 so sometimes we may feel spacey and inattentive and other times we may have too much hyper focus, 15 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:19,350 too attentive to details that aren't really helping our situation. 16 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:21,530 And also third, 17 00:01:21,530 --> 00:01:24,370 the regulation of emotions and behavior. 18 00:01:24,370 --> 00:01:35,970 And so this would be what we typically call fight, flight, or freeze modes when someone's overwhelmed and they may revert to an outburst or a meltdown, 19 00:01:35,980 --> 00:01:39,230 they may be an individual who has quieter struggle... 20 00:01:39,230 --> 00:01:41,930 So they may have flight reactions -- 21 00:01:41,930 --> 00:01:43,590 like I'm leaving school, 22 00:01:43,590 --> 00:01:46,580 I can't come out of my room, 23 00:01:46,580 --> 00:01:48,340 I'm withdrawing. 24 00:01:48,350 --> 00:01:52,880 I'm hiding ... psychologically or physically. 25 00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:57,440 And some people have freeze reactions that ... I'm physically present, 26 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,430 but I'm really shut down. 27 00:01:59,430 --> 00:02:07,660 I'm not psychologically present ... and it may even take the form of a dissociative episode like this person is shut down... 28 00:02:07,670 --> 00:02:10,520 They don't remember this conversation later. 29 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:14,360 They're really just not able to be fully present. 30 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,590 Another form of freeze reaction 31 00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:25,130 could be this expression of psychological stress through the physical body. 32 00:02:25,140 --> 00:02:29,330 So a person who's having what we call nonepileptic seizures. 33 00:02:29,340 --> 00:02:39,150 Those are seizures that are expressions of psychological struggle rather than based in electrical changes in the brain. 34 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,420 That would be in this category. 35 00:02:42,420 --> 00:02:49,150 People who have feelings of physical pain in the context of emotional pain. 36 00:02:49,540 --> 00:02:52,750 People who have headaches or stomachaches etcetera. 37 00:02:55,540 --> 00:03:02,510 So we talked about ways to prevent dysregulation in the second episode. 38 00:03:02,510 --> 00:03:06,960 How to reduce those episodes of feeling uncentered. 39 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:09,490 In the third episode, 40 00:03:09,490 --> 00:03:26,260 we talked about how to recover once dysregulation occurs, because it will ... it does for every human and there are just times in our life when we have more difficulties slipping into these dysregulated states. 41 00:03:26,270 --> 00:03:27,850 And then once that happens, 42 00:03:27,850 --> 00:03:30,760 we need to have strategies to recover. 43 00:03:30,770 --> 00:03:33,360 And that was our third topic. 44 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:52,950 This is our fourth and final topic, and it's about how to recognize when the person you are with ... or how to recognize in yourself ... when you are attempting to regulate, because a lot of what we do as humans is say to ourselves, 45 00:03:52,950 --> 00:03:5