Neuroscience education and support for parents and helping professionals. Educational graphics, embodiment workshops, neurodiversity consulting.
My autistic social engagement system is not dysfunctional.
I do not struggle to access social engagement.
My autistic nervous system has never struggled to access social engagement in safe settings.
I struggle to access SAFETY.
Types of Evidence or Ways of Knowing
The nature of scientific theory is that we build functional models to explain observable phenomenon and many small elements of the concept may be proven false while the overall theory is still true and useful.
A Neurodiversity Paradigm Breakdown of the DSM-5 Criteria for Autism
All of these apparent “deficits” are either stress responses or perfectly functional neurodivergent communication differences. When an autistic person is overwhelmed by a sensory or social aspect of their environment, their body starts to shut down and the communication parts of the brain go offline.
Discovering a Trauma-Informed Positive Autistic Identity
Because I understand being autistic to be a cultural identity and not a medical disorder, I recognize #actuallyautistic people as experts on their own culture, and I view neurotypical researchers as outsiders attempting to understand a culture they are not part of.
Vagal Tone: A Measurable Indicator of Nervous System Health
Vagal tone is measured by tracking heart-rate and breathing rate at the same time. The heart-rate speeds up a little when we breathe in, and slows down a little when we breathe out. The bigger the difference between inhalation heart-rate and exhalation heart-rate, the higher our vagal tone is.
If Your Brain is Different, Your Path to Healing Will Be Different
“If you work hard enough to heal your trauma, you will eventually function like an ordinary neurotypical.”
That’s the lie many “trauma-informed” experts are peddling.
