Psychology Meets Neurodiversity

Autism

Nina: A Nonspeaker Who Found Her Voice

Debra Brause Psy.D. on March 28, 2024

Nina Meehan, an autistic nonspeaker, was locked in silence for her first 16 years until she learned a method called spelling to communicate.

Nina Meehan, an autistic nonspeaker, was locked in silence for her first 16 years until she learned a method called spelling to communicate.

Neurodiversity

When Therapy Harms Neurodivergent Clients

Debra Brause Psy.D. on March 1, 2024

Neurodivergent clients are often misdiagnosed and mistreated due to a lack of therapeutic training. Create a neurodiverse-affirming practice by letting go of ableist practices.

Neurodivergent clients are often misdiagnosed and mistreated due to a lack of therapeutic training. Create a neurodiverse-affirming practice by letting go of ableist practices.

Parenting

When a Child’s Diagnosis Is an Injury to the Self

Debra Brause Psy.D. on January 25, 2024

Sometimes, parents have to look inside when it's hard to accept their child's disability.

Sometimes, parents have to look inside when it's hard to accept their child's disability.

Autism

The Independence Myth: Have We Pathologized Dependency?

Debra Brause Psy.D. on January 3, 2024

A Personal Perspective: When we devalue disabled people for their support needs, we reinforce the myth that any one of us is truly independent.

A Personal Perspective: When we devalue disabled people for their support needs, we reinforce the myth that any one of us is truly independent.

Autism

Dismantling Ableism at Home

Debra Brause Psy.D. on November 26, 2023

Raising a neurodivergent child requires shedding the burden of conventional ideology around what it means to be a parent and who our children are "supposed" to be.

Raising a neurodivergent child requires shedding the burden of conventional ideology around what it means to be a parent and who our children are "supposed" to be.

Autism

Can Autistic Children Be Securely Attached?

Debra Brause Psy.D. on November 1, 2023

About half of autistic children are securely attached to their caregivers. It may look different, but that's why it's important to learn how to read your unique child's cues.

About half of autistic children are securely attached to their caregivers. It may look different, but that's why it's important to learn how to read your unique child's cues.

Autism

Is it Autism or OCD?

Debra Brause Psy.D. on October 2, 2023

Perseverative thinking in autism and OCD have considerable overlap. But there are some key differences that may help differentiate the two.

Perseverative thinking in autism and OCD have considerable overlap. But there are some key differences that may help differentiate the two.

Autism

Should Autistic Children Be 'Trained' to Socialize?

Debra Brause Psy.D. on August 31, 2023

Autistic children are often referred for social skills training. But what kind of skills are helpful, and which are just ableist?

Autistic children are often referred for social skills training. But what kind of skills are helpful, and which are just ableist?

Neurodiversity

Raising a Neurodivergent Child

Debra Brause Psy.D. on August 9, 2023

When it comes to a new autism diagnosis, there is a familiar narrative of suffering parents on their search for a "cure." There is another path of transformation and hope.

When it comes to a new autism diagnosis, there is a familiar narrative of suffering parents on their search for a "cure." There is another path of transformation and hope.

Attachment

Preemies Are People, Too

Debra Brause Psy.D. on July 18, 2023

Personal Perspective: Advances in medical care have been critical in saving the lives of premature infants in the NICU. But is their mental health taken seriously?

Personal Perspective: Advances in medical care have been critical in saving the lives of premature infants in the NICU. But is their mental health taken seriously?

Stimming

It's Just Stimming

Debra Brause Psy.D. on June 19, 2023

Stimming is a natural outlet for neurodivergent people to self-soothe and express emotion. No need for alarm.

Stimming is a natural outlet for neurodivergent people to self-soothe and express emotion. No need for alarm.