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Biography
Hello! I am Dr. Whaling, but you can call me Kelly. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Utah and will soon be licensed in additional states. Additionally, I hold a valid PsyPact license which allows me to provide services to clients in 40+ states. I received my doctorate in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and completed a post-doctoral fellowship specializing in providing trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming psychological evaluations. Through my work in inpatient, outpatient, residential, and juvenile justice facilities, I have found a deep passion for working with autistic folks! I am excited to meet you and hear your story.
Education
PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara; Masters in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Northridge
Certifications
Area of Expertise
Since 2013, I have been a clinician working with marginalized groups experiencing the aftermath of trauma, namely suicidality and self-harm. Because of the high rates of adversity that autistic people experience, this naturally led to me working with many autistic folks. Through this work, I realized my favorite experiences were bonding with those on the autism spectrum and supporting them in their self-advocacy journey.
My goal as a psychologist is to help people build a rich, meaningful, and beautiful life that is in line with their values. Authenticity and vulnerability are critical to this goal, and I believe that these traits are contagious. Aiding you in your own strengths-based self-discovery, my hope is that you are able to affirm and celebrate your unique self and empower others around you to do the same.
Modalities
Affiliations
Research and Publications
Echolalia in Adults: Repetition, Meaning, and Misunderstanding
Jonathan, a 37-year-old autistic adult, has experienced echolalia for as long as he can remember. “Sometimes, it’s a sudden flash and I’ll blurt out a random quote or say something in a funny voice,” he says of his own experience.
Echolalia in adults is the act of repeating another person’s words, phrases, or vocalizations, either immediately or later on. It “is most commonly associated with autism, where it often serves as a meaningful way to process language or regulate,” explains Dr. Hannah Jones, a licensed clinical psychologist with Prosper Health.
With that said, echolalia in adults is expressed in many ways. In this article, we’ll explore what echolalia looks like, why it happens, and when it may be cause for concern. We’ll also discuss how it relates to autism and other forms of neurodiversity.
PDD-NOS Explained: What the Diagnosis Was and How It Relates to Autism Today
Information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has evolved significantly over the past couple of decades. With those changes comes the realization for some people that they may have received diagnoses that are not only confusing but are now considered outdated.
PDD-NOS, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, is one of those diagnoses. If you’re someone who may have encountered this term in your records or research, it’s perfectly reasonable to scratch your head over this diagnosis—and to want a better understanding of what it means.
The PDD-NOS diagnosis was eliminated in 2013, when it was reclassified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under the ASD umbrella. While officially an outdated term, PDD-NOS is still meaningful, especially to those who may have received this diagnosis before 2013.
This article will explain what exactly PDD-NOS is, why the diagnosis no longer exists (and is now part of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis), and how autistic adults can think about the term in a more affirming way.
Is Autism Genetic? What Science Actually Shows
Autism diagnoses have increased by about 300% over the past 20 years, along with a rise in more widespread understanding about this neurological condition. While the phrase “knowledge is power” comes to mind, the more we understand autism, the more questions about its origins and causes inevitably arise.
When I received my daughter’s autism diagnosis, part of me was relieved. My suspicions had been confirmed, and we could now obtain much-needed accommodations. At the same time, countless questions were spilling out of my brain as quickly as I could form them.
- “Did I do something unhealthy in my pregnancy?” (Answer: No)
- “Is there a connection between my neurodivergent brother and my husband’s autistic nephew? (Answer: Probably)
- “How did our genetics play a role in my daughter’s diagnosis?” (Answer: It’s complicated; more importantly, no one is to blame, and no one gene is responsible)
- “Is there an autism cure?” (Answer: No, because autism is not a disease and doesn’t need to be “fixed”)
The truth is, there remains a lot of confusion around the causes of autism—specifically on the subject of genetics—even though we know so much more about this condition now than we did only a decade or two ago.
Still, everyone deserves to understand why they are the way they are, without fear, guilt, or shame. Our goal with this article is to help you understand the relationship between autism and genetics, as well as to clarify common misconceptions about genetic inheritance, the process by which DNA is passed down from parents to children.
But above all, we’re here to remind you that humans, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent, are so much more than their genetic makeup.
