AutisticPsychologist

Musings of an autistic psychologist. Information, support, dispelling myths. We do exist, often undisclosed. Disability affirming.

[Michelle Dawson @autismcrisis]

"Autistic and non-autistic adolescents report similar overall empathy levels" but "parents of autistic adolescents perceived them as having overall lower levels of empathy" https://t.co/UIKxz5xls3 "findings do not support previous views of autistic people as having less empathy"

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@Kautorette @WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox Dignity is an issue in hospital environments as a whole, sadly.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@Kautorette @WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox Of course, and meds can be leaned on where there is understaffing and poor resourcing. Talking and patient-doctor relationships are absolutely critical for progress and recovery. The example I gave related to a crisis situation (an episode of severe psychosis).

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@AzulsGaming @PaulMinotMD Sorry to hear that. Giving children psychoactive meds before their brains have developed is risky and long-term consequences are still not well documented. Prescribing doc should have been reviewing and monitoring side effects.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@PaulMinotMD And I completely agree with this, as said, stress as a driver of symptoms. I also observe that personality has a role to play, because some ADHD folks operate best under pressure (without it, they cannot manage - I would put myself in that category).

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@PaulMinotMD Stress is a very well documented exacerbator of ADHD symptoms. Additional complexity increases stress for many, but the supportive technology + other aids, better ID in women + current understanding of ADHD does make things on balance better for people with ADHD right now.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@SarahMarieOB Nabbing all of this great info

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox That's the point, it's a spectrum of experience. I wish psychologists would follow NICE guidelines too. Something I regularly have to highlight. I feel that this is a pervasive issue and weakness across the healthcare sector.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@PaulWhiteleyPhD Daily Mail - automatic recoil 😅

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox I also need to add - if you think that psychological interventions are better than bio or have a better success rate for mod-severe MH conditions, that is demonstrably untrue. We have a long way to go on all fronts.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox That's your experience within your circle. Other have personal and professional experience also. I work with psychiatrists, have had clients and family cared for in the MH system, and am under the care of a psychiatrist, who is one of the most compassionate people I've ever met.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox People have been badly hurt and demeaned in hospitals. We still have a legacy left from the asylum era. Absolutely. This doesn't mean that people haven't also had positive experiences of psychiatric care and biological interventions.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox There are very few if any professionals committed exclusively to the biological model - that's a total myth and not the reality on the ground. The biopsychosocial model is the most recognised model that most would subscribe to.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@WeCareAboutMH @awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox Important to address the original point. How would an anti-psychiatrist psychologist deal with a situation like this? They claim that other methods are superior to medication in crisis situations, such as conversation.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@PaulMinotMD What's the scientific basis of the 'psyche'? Tell me about effect sizes for non-medical interventions in mental health?

[Richard Kramer OBE 🇺🇦 @richardkramer_]

People will be shocked to hear that 40% of parent carers have thought about killing themselves.

This is a result of battling constantly with a system that has little interest in supporting them or their disabled children.

https://t.co/iaKzPHIw1X via @unibirmingham

[sarah o'brien @SarahMarieOB]

I think we might be running out of names for neurodivergent books

So, You're Autistic
So, I'm Autistic
It all makes sense now
Now it all makes sense

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@ChelleHall23 @2tubies I would have reported that to the principal, this is deeply harmful

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@2tubies And a leaflet should be handed to parents at birth. Parents' expectations of kids brain abilities at very young ages are totally wild.

[AutisticPsychologist @AutisticPsychs]

@awaisaftab @DrAnnieHickox Ask them to work with the psychiatrist on call over a single weekend at a busy London hospital. I'm sure their pet theories will come in very handy in crisis situations. Maybe they can have a little chat with someone experiencing a major psychotic episode.