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Exploring Autism Therapy: Resources, Insights, and Support
Autism therapy is a vital part of empowering individuals on the spectrum to grow, develop essential skills, overcome challenges, and thrive in their unique ways. This page provides a curated collection of autism therapy resources designed to help you explore available options, understand their benefits, and navigate the path toward personalized care. Whether you’re a loved one seeking guidance or an individual looking for support, these tools and insights are here to help you every step of the way.
Recent Articles
How to Find the Right Therapist: A Guide For Autistic Adults
Finding the right therapist can be life-changing, especially for autistic adults, who often face unique challenges that many mental health professionals aren't fully equipped to understand. The therapeutic relationship is a deeply personal one.
For neurodivergent individuals, it's essential that the therapist not only has clinical expertise but also a respectful, affirming approach to autism itself. Too often, autistic adults encounter professionals who pathologize their experiences or prioritize masking over authentic self-expression, which can lead to harm rather than healing.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to find a therapist who truly sees and supports you on your terms, so that you can be partners on your journey toward better mental health.
How to Regulate Your Nervous System: A Guide for Autistic Adults
For me, nervous system dysregulation begins at the center of my body: a quaking, liquid feeling that leaves me unsettled. I have episodes of verbal shutdown, and may engage more in stimming: rocking back and forth, humming to myself, and bouts of anger that have no outlet. It’s in times like these that I try and re-center myself through deep breathing, reducing sensory input, and leaning on my support systems.
Autistic people often experience heightened nervous system responses, which can lead to dysregulation, especially in overwhelming environments. This can lead to chronic stress, shutdowns, meltdowns, and sensory overwhelm. Addressing dysregulation can improve quality of life, positively impacting physical health, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and mental health over all.
In this article, we’ll discuss tools to help autistic adults shift out of dysregulation and offer strategy suggestions to become more regulated and maintain equilibrium. However, as always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new therapeutic techniques.
Mastering DBT Skill DEAR MAN: A Guide for Autistic Adults
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based therapeutic approach originally developed to support individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Over time, it’s been adapted to help people manage anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and more.
DBT focuses on four key skill areas: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. These tools offer practical strategies to manage emotions, reduce stress and foster healthier relationships.
For autistic adults, DBT is especially helpful for managing sensory overload, intense emotions, difficulty with self-advocacy and challenges in social communication. One of DBT’s strengths is its use of practical step-by-step tools that break complex experiences into manageable parts.
This article focuses on one of DBT’s core skills: DEAR MAN––a technique that supports assertive communication and self-advocacy. DEAR MAN can help autistic adults express their needs clearly, reduce anxiety in difficult conversations and build healthier personal and professional relationships.
