Category: Disabilities

Autism & Empathy: Understanding Emotional Experience on the Spectrum

Posted on by Gregory Wood

By Sean Inderbitzen, LCSW

I can relate to this article because at times people felt I was cold. – Greg

“What’s Wrong With Me?”

The question of emotional experience in the Autistic mind is one which really struggles to be put to words easily. So let’s visit heartbreaking moment from one of my autistic clients:

The young woman, 30, brown hair, looked at him, lips quivering and said, ”I’m sorry I hurt you and the boys so badly. I’m sorry that all of my shit was taken out of you. I’m sorry for all of it. But I’m not sorry for the good we did have. Because there was a lot of good.” The man, looked away from her eyes, for what was the last time, and replied, “Trauma doesn’t give you an excuse to be a shitty human being. And to me and those boys you were. This wasn’t an accident or a trigger. It was something I suspect you had thought through for some time, and a choice you made at my expense not with Me.” (an untold love story) read more

The Interdependence Mindset

Posted on by Gregory Wood

by Brenda Dater, MSW, MPH

Independence and Interdependence can co-exist.

This month we are discussing autism and interdependence. Although our society pushes the idea of independence, very few people (no matter their neurology) are completely independent. We all need help at times for a variety of reasons. Maybe a person asks for help from someone else who has an expertise or skill in a particular area, or a special circumstance means that person can’t do something they usually do. Having the right kind of help at the right time can lower anyone’s anxiety and stress. Relying on others, and having others rely on you, creates meaningful connections, and this interdependence needs to be valued as much as independence. read more