Updating Your Autism Lens

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Kory Andreas, LCSW-C Related seminars and products

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Kory Andreas, LCSW-C is a clinical social worker and Autism specialist with a deep passion for understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals. As an "identity-based practitioner", her late-diagnosed neurodivergence is a cornerstone of both her therapy practice and her role as a neurodiversity educator. Kory works in private practice to provide Autism assessments and therapeutic services to neurodivergent individuals and couples. Renowned for her humorous and insightful approach, Kory is a sought-after speaker, delivering neurodiversity awareness and affirming strategies to mental health practitioners, treatment facilities, and the corporate world.

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Kory Andreas maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

Non-financial: Kory Andreas has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

 

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Objectives

1. Utilize updated language, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic frameworks to better serve misdiagnosed and marginalized Autistic clients. 
2. Identify overlooked internalized markers of neurodivergence in high-masking adults 
3. Integrate sensory-based and trauma-informed strategies for nervous system regulation for co-occurring conditions, including eating disorders and substance use disorders.  
4. Facilitate identity-based therapy by supporting newly identified clients through discovery, grief, and the process of unmasking. 
5. Critique outdated generalist therapy models previously used with Autistic clients

Outline

Modern Clinical Presentations of Autism 

• The evolution of Autism care and language  
• Limitations of available research and potential risks   
• Autistic masking, camouflaging and compensating 
• Clinical challenges in “high masking” clients  
• “Atypical presentations of Autism” 
• Autism in the media   
• Self-diagnosis and social media inspired assessment 
• The intersections of marginalization and its impact 
• Commonly encountered clinical presentations/differential diagnoses 
• Misunderstood markers of Autism 
• Identification and treatment of diagnostic grief, and the implications of late diagnosis on relationships, career, mental and physical health. 
• Limitations of research and potential risks of operating without evidenced-based practices designed for Neurodivergent adults. 
• Comorbid mental health conditions that may mimic and stem from Autistic burnout.  

 
Therapeutic Techniques  

• Defining Neurodiversity-affirming therapy 
• The dangers of applying generalist techniques 
• “Green flags” of Autism  
• Autistic communication patterns  
• Common Autistic traits that can assist with identification and treatment planning  
• Examining the role of practiced-based evidence in the absence of evidence-based strategies. 
• Sensory-based therapeutic techniques to manage Nervous system regulation and trauma responses 
• The role of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in the therapeutic relationship 

 
Trusting the client to dictate their Neurodivergent experience

• The role of perspective between client and the world – including the therapist 
• The role of accommodations in long-term management of social settings, educational  settings, the workplace, home, and relationships 
• Differentiating depression and burnout 
• Unique interventions to assist clients in recovery from burnout 
• The shortcomings of the DSM-V and how pathologizing Autism prevents us from creating a strengths-based therapeutic relationship 
• Nervous system involvement in the daily Autistic experience 
• An overview of the 6 types of Autistic trauma 

  
Collaborative Care 

• Therapeutic Techniques for Neuro-affirming therapy 
• Common challenges with Neurotypical-based therapy practices 
• The importance of flexibility  
• “Grelief:” the grief/relief combo following diagnosis 
• Identifying accommodations: community, sensory, educational, and occupational 
• Barriers to communication: Double and triple empathy  
• Defining collaborative care 
• Common barriers that impact identification, treatment, and collaboration 
• The importance of supportive community networks, both in person and virtually 
• Resources that can empower clients to seek specialized care 
• Your role in assisting with advocacy and healthcare navigation 
   

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Therapists
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Addiction Counselors
• Case Managers
• Physicians
• Nurses
• Other Mental Health Professionals

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