Autism Spectrum Disorder

I help clients who identify (either via past diagnosis or self-diagnosed) as neurodiverse, including individuals on the autism spectrum, highly sensitive individuals, and those form whom their senses and processing are heightened.

My passion and specialization are in autism and neuro divergent/diverse populations tailored to support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, helping them navigate challenges related to communication, social interactions, emotional regulation, and daily life skills. my role varies based on the individual’s age, needs, and goals, but the primary focus is to enhance quality of life, promote independence, and foster meaningful connections.

I have been licensed as a behavior analyst since 2021 and have worked in the field since 2019. My approach to working with autism is not focused on totally changing behaviors, but rather helping the individual learn to cope in a world that is not made for them. Strategies that I've incorporated have included prescribing noise canceling headphones and sunglasses for sensory sensitivities and helping individuals process and better understand social situations.

Autism, like all neurodiverse conditions, is a far more complex and rich experience than is commonly appreciated. It takes a lot to figure out who you are and how to be when you feel so undervalued, struggle to get the words out just right, or feel out of place. I will work WITH you, not against you, to figure out how to use your strengths and not diminish who you are and what makes you unique.

We work with kids aged 3-18 on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their family members, guardians, and caregivers to provide top-class support and care.

I actually don't use the terminology "autism spectrum disorder." In line with best practice in the world of autism advocacy, I generally use "identity-first language" like "autistic" (unless my client prefers something different). I have experience supporting autistic folks with a wide variety of support needs.

For neurodivergent/autistic/ADHD patients, I use a neurodivergence-affirming identity development model rather than a disease/'behavior correction' model. I support people in discovering themselves as authentic neurodivergent people, deprogramming shame and internalized ableism, and developing ways of living that respect their needs, strengths, and cognitive processing style.

Neurodivergence, executive functioning, and autism are central to my approach as a therapist. I work both to keep this topic in-mind when considering identity, capacity, and other such topics, but also when working through prior trauma. Neurodivergence often means alienation, neglect, and guilt, and I work to process these feelings with clients.

I work with many neurodivergent clients to help empower them to live a life that accommodates them and helps them thrive. I have lived experience as a neurodivergent person, so I am able to easily connect and relate. Nearly all the clients I work with identify on the ND spectrum, including ASD, AuDHD, and ADHD. I am invigorated by my work with my fantastic ND clients. They appreciate the attention I pay to their language and the ways in which they conceptualize themselves.

#actuallyautistic and #autisticwhileblack, It is absolutely ridiculous how ableist the current diagnostic system is toward autistic individuals. Most of the treatment and therapy options have surrounded forcing the individual to conform to society instead of asking society to make changes. Also, allistic therapists have caught on to the hashtag so, that means there will be some preliminary questions. 1. Have you seen avatar? 2. Mass Effect? 3. Skyrim? 4. Star Trek? 5. Samefoods?

Navigating a world that often feels out of sync with your needs is exhausting. Your therapy should feel like a sanctuary, not another source of stress. We will prioritize your comfort, well-being, and autonomy every step of the way as you undertake your journey towards authenticity and fulfilling relationships. (Eye contact is not required and stimming/movement is always welcome!)

Autism doesn’t need to be fixed, but society at large hasn’t yet made space for this. The world is filled with sensory-overwhelming environments and neurotypical expectations so learning to mask is survival. But masking has a cost and can end in overload and burnout. What’s often left is the question: “Who am I?” I can help you learn to listen to your body, find what is healing to your nervous system, grieve past losses, and look toward the future of finding out who you really are.

While I work with clients of varied identities and neurotypes, I work quite often with late-discovered/diagnosed Autistic and/or ADHD adults. Whether you’re in the early days of exploring a potential neurodivergent identity, or processing a recent self or formal neurodivergent diagnosis, I’m passionate about supporting clients through this process and all of the complex emotions that can come with it.

I work with children that have been tested and diagnosed with ASD. I provide a safe and trusting environment to assist my clients with a therapeutic bond. I design each treatment plan specific to that individual.

Therapy can offer valuable support for individuals on the autism spectrum. I focus on increasing social intelligence, improving communication, and helping clients build stronger, more meaningful relationships. We also work on understanding emotions and emotional responses in a way that makes sense to you. My goal is to help you navigate the world more confidently and comfortably, while improving overall quality of life through practical skills, self-awareness, and support tailored to your needs.

Quintessential Health provides comprehensive assessment and testing service for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

With the increasing awareness of autism, it is very important to me that clients feel like they can have someone to discuss those symptoms with who won't approach it from a neurotypical lens and help those clients actually understand their experience from an autistic lens. Similarly to ADHD, it is something that needs to be adapted to not eliminated.

My practice specializes in neurodivergence, and I have worked with ADHDer's, autistic people, and Audhd identified clients. I am passionate about helping neurodivergent clients with their executive functioning and manifesting their identities in ways that feel authentic to them. I have lived experience of my own neurodivergence and learning how to show up to relationships in my life authentically. I work with autistic clients particularly on themes of unmasking in their life.

I am a board-certified general and child & adolescent psychiatrist with specialized expertise in managing behavioral challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I provide individualized, evidence-based care to children and adolescents, focusing on addressing issues such as aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and social difficulties. I use a combination of therapy, medication management, and family support to help improve functioning and quality of life for individuals with autis

I view Autism as a neuro-type, not as a disorder and have created a neuro-affirming autism assessment tool for clinicians, which is available on my website here: https://www.alydmft.com/psychotherapy-perspective/