Autism Psychologist Melbourne: Support with Neurodiversity Affirming Psychologists

Is it a Disorder?

When Autism is diagnosed in a health setting, it’s official term (in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, DMS-IV) is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This term has felt very pathologising to the Autistic community as it implies deficit and illness, as opposed to difference and diversity. Therefore, the term Autism is used by many as a more affirming name.

However, Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD (and the associated severity levels which refer to the level of support an Autistic individual requires) will still be seen and used in reports and on funding documentation. Psychologists (as well as other health professionals) can play a role in providing assessment and diagnosis (as well as therapeutic support) for individuals with autism.

Can Autism be “cured”?

No. Autism is a natural variation in human neurodevelopment. It is not a disease or an illness that needs to be cured. Instead, it represents a different way of experiencing the world, and the idea of “curing” autism is widely regarded as inappropriate and harmful within the Autistic community and among many professionals. Autism is considered part of a person’s identity.

Rather than seeking a cure, the focus should be on providing support, accommodations, and inclusive environments to help autistic individuals thrive. This includes tailored education, therapies that respect autistic differences, and societal changes to reduce stigma and promote acceptance. It is now clear that attempts to cure or heavily modify autistic behaviours have been linked to significant psychological distress and mental health issues for autistic people. Individuals can access subsidised counselling sessions through a mental health care plan to support their well-being.

Why does Autism develop in some individuals and not others?

That is a complicated question without a simple answer. Autism develops in individuals due to a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors.

• Evidence for Genetic Factors include:
  
  
• Genetic Mutations and Variations: Research indicates that multiple genes are involved in the development of autism. Some of these genes are inherited, while others may result from de novo mutations which are gene changes that occur spontaneously, and are not present in other genetic relations.
  
  
• Family Studies: Autism tends to run in families, which indicates a strong genetic component. For instance, siblings of autistic individuals are more likely to develop autism compared to the general population.
  
  
• Evidence for Neurological Factors include:
  
  
• Brain Structure and Function: Differences in brain structure and connectivity are frequently observed in autistic individuals. For example, studies have shown variations in the size and function of certain brain regions involved in social behaviour, communication, and sensory processing. Autistic brains often exhibit hyper-connectivity (more connections) in certain regions, leading to heightened sensitivity and detail-oriented processing. Conversely, hypoconnectivity (less connections) in other regions has also been identified in autistic brains and can affect social cognition and communication.
  
  
• Evidence for Environmental Factors include:
  
  
• Prenatal Environment: Various factors during pregnancy can influence the development of autism. These include maternal health (for instance conditions such as diabetes, infections, and autoimmune diseases in the mother) and exposure to certain environmental toxins and chemicals during pregnancy.
  
  
• Birth Environment: Research suggests that complications during birth may also be relevant.
  
  

And of course, it is no single factor but the interplay of these factors which is most crucial. For example, an individual with a genetic predisposition to autism may develop the condition when exposed to specific environmental triggers.

Do autistic people have emotions? Can they experience empathy? Can they build meaningful relationships?

There are many stereotypes and misconceptions about autism. Yes, autistic people have emotions, experience empathy, and build relationships. These aspects of human experience are often misunderstood though, due to differences in expression and communication styles among autistic individuals.

Emotions and Autism

Autistic individuals experience a full range of emotions just like non-autistic individuals. They can feel happiness, sadness, anger, love, and all other emotions. The way these emotions are expressed by autistic people might differ and might not always align with typical social norms, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Creating a safe therapeutic space is crucial for helping autistic individuals express and manage their emotions. Some autistic individuals may have alexithymia, a condition where a person has difficulty identifying and describing their emotions. This does not mean they lack emotions; it simply means they struggle to articulate them.

Empathy

The myth that autistic individuals lack empathy is incorrect. They do experience empathy, but again it can manifest in different ways:

• Cognitive vs. Affective Empathy: Research shows that while autistic people might struggle with cognitive empathy (understanding another person’s perspective), they often have intact or even heightened affective empathy (feeling another person’s emotions).

• Empathic Distress: Some autistic individuals may feel others’ emotions so intensely that it becomes overwhelming, leading them to withdraw as a coping mechanism. This withdrawal can be misinterpreted as a lack of empathy.
  
  

Autism and Relationships

Autistic people can and do build strong and significant bonds with others, and more importantly, they want to do this. Autistic people though may connect in ways that differ from non-autistic norms:

• Social Communication: Autistic individuals might have challenges with typical social communication, such as understanding social cues or engaging in small talk. However, they often form deep, meaningful connections with those who understand and respect their communication style.

• Intense Interests: Shared interests can be a strong foundation for relationships. Autistic people often connect deeply with others who share their passions and hobbies.

• Authenticity: Relationships with autistic individuals are often characterized by a high degree of honesty and authenticity, as they may be less inclined to engage in social pretence.

• Psychologists have a particular interest in providing specialised support for neurodivergent populations, including autistic individuals.

• Relationship counselling is also an option to help autistic individuals and their partners navigate their unique communication styles.