Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly that you ended up not doing it at all?

Dr. Greg Chasson is a leading authority on transforming compulsive and impulsive behaviors and the author of "Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.” While it is true that many characteristics of perfectionism are often present in autistic populations, Dr. Chasson joins us to share more broadly the ways that perfectionism shows up to some degree in all of us, and how families, social media and culture reinforce these tendencies. We discuss concepts like process paralysis, avoidance, and ritualistic behaviors associated with perfectionism and explore valuable tools such as exposure therapy to help interrupt self sabotaging patterns and Dr. Chasson’s “emphasis framework” to help you finally break free of the burden of having to do everything perfectly.

LINKS:

Connect with Dr. Greg Chasson

Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management by Greg Chasson, PhD

Join the Flawed:Live workshop

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Aspiritech - Chicago based company helping autistic professionals

As the conversation around autism gets mainstreamed, some people become more understanding when they recognize stereotypical behaviors in public, but what happens when autism is not as noticeable from the outside?

Dr. Dena Gassner shares what many families experience, simultaneously navigating school systems for her autistic child (who presented in a more classic way and diagnosed early) while also integrating her own diagnosis (which came much later due to the internalizing nature of her autism). Dena shares the three stages a person goes through when they receive a late diagnosis, the importance of learning how to advocate for your sensory needs, and the disappointment of having your behaviors misunderstood just because you don’t present as expected externally. Dena shares valuable insights on the IACC and what is most important to focus on when forging the road ahead for autism research, services, policy, and support.

LINKS:

Connect with Dr. Dena Gassner

Join the Center for Understanding Facebook group

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AJ Drexel Autism Institute’s Social Connections and Treatment Lab

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

Jordan Zimmerman’s CommunicationFIRST

We often hear how a diagnosis of autism can be a relief, especially for those diagnosed later in life, but what happens when the treatment plan that follows the diagnosis actually makes you worse?

Dr. Angela Kingdon shares with us the winding journey following her diagnosis at age 39, including how traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy created new challenges, her experience with autistic burnout, and what finally helped her regain control of her life. Angela provides incredible insights for newly diagnosed individuals on how to navigate the “Autism Wars” and how to find the right healthcare provider. Angela highlights the importance of community and co-regulation for autistic individuals and discusses how her organization, Autistic Culture Podcast Network, is addressing some of autism’s “marketing problem.”

LINKS:

Connect with Dr. Angela Kingdon

Am I Actually Autistic? By Angela Kingdon

Join the community at The Autistic Culture Podcast

Learn More:

Autscape

AuRetreats

Neuroclastic

Dr. Mary Doherty’s Autistic Doctors International

Ehlers-Danlos Society Healthcare Provider Directory

Other Book Recommendations:

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman