Autism: Understanding the Internal Experience of the Individual

Five Class Objectives

• Understand the importance of shifting from the “deficit” model of autism to the “difference” model and the application of the social model of disability

• Be able to understand the “why” behind the DSM-5-TR criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (shifting perspective from what people see on the outside to the individual’s experience of the symptoms)

• Learn common flags in adults that would prompt a screen for the presence of autism

• Develop increased ability to distinguish between panic/anxiety attacks and meltdowns

• Understand the important regulatory function of stims, special interests, meltdowns and shutdowns in autistic individuals in order to reduce shame around these behaviors