We love my daughter’s OT. Thanks for the explanation of code switching and example of using an OT to help with code switching for email communication 👍🏻
14:22 This reminds me of the opinion that my Dad and I have of scented bathroom products - it doesn't cover it up, it just makes it smell like poo with syrup on it, which does not help. Yes! I hold my breath all the time if I'm focused on something. And if I try to do breathing exercises or focus on it, I just get anxious. It sucks because a lot of anti-anxiety advice deals with breath exercises, so I should really look into something else. This is really interesting about the things that occupational therapy can help with. Thank you for sharing!
I am working with an OT. Mainly for ME/CFS. Yet for me there is a strong overlap in need for energy conservation with burnout. I had to send my OT a UA-cam by an OT for ME/CFS. The OT has been the first HCP that looks at the whole person.
My twin girl (14) was just diagnosed with autism & ADHD. In getting her assessment results, I learned autism is common in twins, so that’s funny that you have twins! I was just diagnosed at 44, last month.
OT sounds like something I wish I could have for myself. Ordering my own food I can do, if I am not interrupted. Story SHARE!!! The last time I had my dad in my life, he interrupted me while I was trying to place my order. I walked out of the restaurant. Restaurant was close enough to my home to walk myself home, ordering myself some food at a fast food on the way home. Mom told me I made my dad cry, but also said I made the right choice for my autonomy is important. Thanks mom. I left because I was hella embarrassed and frustrated at my dad. I was in my 30's... I didnt need him to interrupt and tell the waiter I had mental problems. I would be able to order my food if my dad did not interrupt!
Woooww you have twins!!!! I also have boy girl twins they are 4... Thank you for all the advice in this video so helpful i am hugely afraid of therapy but this actually shlounds good.
You're the best .. 12:35 I really like the different takes!...your family story is v close to mine. Your kids are lucky you're their mum.xxlots if love from South Africa (i like Watson too)!😂
This is a fascinating and informative discussion about possible therapy services for autism. It occurred to me while you were explaining ABA therapy that even if I was diagnosed as a child, I wouldn't necessarily have received accommodation. There are better mental health resources available now, in part because those who struggled growing up with autism are leading the way as adults to find more affirming and beneficial assistance. That's really cool. Regarding occupational therapy: You summarized all this wonderfully, but what I've gotten out of your examples is that OT is effective at a high level because it focuses on skills to recognize, express, and be confident in needs rather than trying to change needs. Sometimes we don't even know what is bothering us or what is wrong, and anxiety and frustration can feel nebulous. Being able to identify the source of discomfort or difficulty is a skill that even neurotypical people can struggle with, but with autism, discomforts can be "out of the norm," so resources to deal with them are limited, especially if others tell you that what bothers or confuses you is silly or bizarre. So, just having a supportive space where you can explore what you need and problem-solve how to meet those needs sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing your experience. : )
Occupational therapy sounds like it would be great for late diagnosed adults, too. For me, I wonder about how to get insurance to cover it. I had to pay out of pocket to get my autism testing and diagnosis, because my insurance would not pay for it. So I am skeptical on how I could get OT covered under insurance. It's only been 4 months since my diagnosis, so I'm still processing everything that goes with being diagnsed so late in life (I am 60). I have struggled through my life for decades without any help or accomodations, and I'm coming to terms with how much I have had to mask in order to "fit in" and still only barely getting by in life.
If you can find a good group I think it's a great idea. But keep in mind just because someone is also Autistic, doesnt mean they'll automatically be compatible friends. But I think it's a great way to find good friends.
I have found it very useful to listen into my kids sessions (with their consent.) I don't know if there is much OT for for Autism for adults. I think it exists, but not widely, which I think is a shame.
I will NEVER use ABA. I'm autistic. No therapy is better than ABA imo. So... I have little to no support for my needs. Really sucks how unsupportive the insurance companies are.
People can do their own "Occupational Therapy" at home esp as adults. It's simply practicing skills and finding adaptations that you can implement to raise your coping skills and functional abilities. ABA is not "dog therapy for humans". It's effective for some and needs to be used on an individual basis.
I disagree completely. ABA is horrible. Occupational Therpay isn't about raising a functioning levels either. It's about finding accommodations but not changing who you are.
We love my daughter’s OT. Thanks for the explanation of code switching and example of using an OT to help with code switching for email communication 👍🏻
Putting on music when I bathe is really helpful to me.
I’m happy to hear that you found something that helps ❤
14:22 This reminds me of the opinion that my Dad and I have of scented bathroom products - it doesn't cover it up, it just makes it smell like poo with syrup on it, which does not help.
Yes! I hold my breath all the time if I'm focused on something. And if I try to do breathing exercises or focus on it, I just get anxious. It sucks because a lot of anti-anxiety advice deals with breath exercises, so I should really look into something else.
This is really interesting about the things that occupational therapy can help with. Thank you for sharing!
Yes to the scented bathroom products! Lol.
I am working with an OT. Mainly for ME/CFS.
Yet for me there is a strong overlap in need for energy conservation with burnout.
I had to send my OT a UA-cam by an OT for ME/CFS.
The OT has been the first HCP that looks at the whole person.
My twin girl (14) was just diagnosed with autism & ADHD. In getting her assessment results, I learned autism is common in twins, so that’s funny that you have twins! I was just diagnosed at 44, last month.
OT sounds like something I wish I could have for myself.
Ordering my own food I can do, if I am not interrupted.
Story SHARE!!!
The last time I had my dad in my life, he interrupted me while I was trying to place my order. I walked out of the restaurant. Restaurant was close enough to my home to walk myself home, ordering myself some food at a fast food on the way home. Mom told me I made my dad cry, but also said I made the right choice for my autonomy is important. Thanks mom. I left because I was hella embarrassed and frustrated at my dad. I was in my 30's... I didnt need him to interrupt and tell the waiter I had mental problems. I would be able to order my food if my dad did not interrupt!
Woooww you have twins!!!! I also have boy girl twins they are 4... Thank you for all the advice in this video so helpful i am hugely afraid of therapy but this actually shlounds good.
You're the best .. 12:35 I really like the different takes!...your family story is v close to mine. Your kids are lucky you're their mum.xxlots if love from South Africa (i like Watson too)!😂
❤️😊
This is a fascinating and informative discussion about possible therapy services for autism. It occurred to me while you were explaining ABA therapy that even if I was diagnosed as a child, I wouldn't necessarily have received accommodation. There are better mental health resources available now, in part because those who struggled growing up with autism are leading the way as adults to find more affirming and beneficial assistance. That's really cool.
Regarding occupational therapy: You summarized all this wonderfully, but what I've gotten out of your examples is that OT is effective at a high level because it focuses on skills to recognize, express, and be confident in needs rather than trying to change needs. Sometimes we don't even know what is bothering us or what is wrong, and anxiety and frustration can feel nebulous. Being able to identify the source of discomfort or difficulty is a skill that even neurotypical people can struggle with, but with autism, discomforts can be "out of the norm," so resources to deal with them are limited, especially if others tell you that what bothers or confuses you is silly or bizarre. So, just having a supportive space where you can explore what you need and problem-solve how to meet those needs sounds amazing.
Thank you for sharing your experience. : )
Occupational therapy sounds like it would be great for late diagnosed adults, too. For me, I wonder about how to get insurance to cover it. I had to pay out of pocket to get my autism testing and diagnosis, because my insurance would not pay for it. So I am skeptical on how I could get OT covered under insurance.
It's only been 4 months since my diagnosis, so I'm still processing everything that goes with being diagnsed so late in life (I am 60). I have struggled through my life for decades without any help or accomodations, and I'm coming to terms with how much I have had to mask in order to "fit in" and still only barely getting by in life.
Great info, thanks for sharing your family's experience with OT!
Thank you. Very interesting
I am going through OT for adults...
My friend who also has autism is getting a lot of help from OT.
what do you perhaps think of looking into getting into groups of other autistic people?
If you can find a good group I think it's a great idea. But keep in mind just because someone is also Autistic, doesnt mean they'll automatically be compatible friends. But I think it's a great way to find good friends.
Such helpful suggestions, unfortunately my kids have grown up without knowing it was autism
Is occupational therapy recommended, useful, and/or available for late diagnosed adult autistics?
I was diagnosed at age 61 and yes the OT has been very useful.
I have found it very useful to listen into my kids sessions (with their consent.) I don't know if there is much OT for for Autism for adults. I think it exists, but not widely, which I think is a shame.
My friend who is in her 40's has found it very useful.
I am going to go through some OT, I am lucky my insurance will pay for it...
That is awesome! I've heard it does exist, but not super widely as far as I can tell.
I will NEVER use ABA. I'm autistic. No therapy is better than ABA imo.
So... I have little to no support for my needs.
Really sucks how unsupportive the insurance companies are.
How do my feet feel? On fire.
How do my muscles feel? On fire.
How do I feel when I wake up? Like a truck hit me.
What toy do you have here?
People can do their own "Occupational Therapy" at home esp as adults. It's simply practicing skills and finding adaptations that you can implement to raise your coping skills and functional abilities.
ABA is not "dog therapy for humans". It's effective for some and needs to be used on an individual basis.
I disagree completely. ABA is horrible. Occupational Therpay isn't about raising a functioning levels either. It's about finding accommodations but not changing who you are.