Strategies for Adults with Autism

Services available on-site and remote

Navigating the unpredictable worlds of higher education, work and relationships is stressful for anyone. However, for adults with autism the challenges can be overwhelming, even debilitating. In some cases you may have received a diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder or Asperger Syndrome. Ongoing struggles with symptoms without neuro-affirming supports and tools can contribute to problems with anxiety and depression.

 

A life that includes fulfilling work, social and personal relationships is possible. Support, including effective real world tools and strategies can help ‒ whether you were diagnosed as a child, teen, or an adult. If you are undiagnosed, but experiencing symptoms of autism or other neurodivergent conditions that impact some aspects of your life, Dr. Adreon provides education and help that leads to positive change.

 

Have you ever experienced some of these symptoms or resulting unpleasant consequences? Have you received feedback from teachers, professors, co-workers or supervisors that includes many of the following symptoms?

• Poor social skills
• Self-centered
• Insensitive to feeling of others
• Rude and inconsiderate
• Over-react to things others consider “minor”
• Difficulty developing & maintaining friendships
• Difficulty understanding & using body language (i.e. eye gaze, gestures, and facial expression)
• Difficulty getting along with others
• Frequently have communication problems with others/misunderstandings
• Difficulty putting themselves in another’s shoes or seeing things through another lens
• Told that you “miss the point”
• Feel “different” than other people
• Having trouble making “small talk”
• Underachiever, given your intelligence and knowledge
• Strong preference for sameness
• Difficulty staying organized
• Trouble prioritizing tasks and completing them in a timely manner
• Poor problem-solving skills
• Difficulty motivating yourself to complete tasks
• Poor coping strategies (often feel overwhelmed)
• Tendency to focus on details
• Difficulty paying attention, shifting attention
• Sensory issues (sometimes invade the personal space of others, sounds/noises seem to bother you more than they do other people, difficulty tolerating the ways certain clothing feels on your body, very particular about your food preferences, seem more sensitive than others to certain smells, sunlight/lighting in a room)

 

Understanding your symptoms and how they manifest into everyday challenges is a first step toward greater mastery, acceptance and peace.

Dr. Adreon works with adults to set appropriate short-term and long-term goals and develop strategies to meet them. When needed, she recommends respected, committed professionals to provide specialized therapeutic services, and monitors progress.

She meets adults where they are, whether processing a diagnosis, navigating the challenges of education and college life or the demands of work and career. 

She also helps adults with autism learn strategies to help improve their social, work, personal and family relationships. These relationships are critical for healthy emotional development and fulfillment.

 

At the core of Spectrum Life Strategies is education and training to help individuals on the spectrum achieve more fulfilling lives, including:

• Helping individuals understand the diagnosis and the tools that work
• Evaluating current challenges and recommending individualized neuro-affirming strategies
• Coaching individuals (and if necessary, people with whom the individual interacts) as they implement strategies for success or to overcome a crisis
• Referring the individuals to respected professionals that fit the patient’s needs, with an eye toward reaching the next stage of development
• Educating the individual about the roles of professionals (communications/social skills therapists, psychiatrists and psychiatrists) the goals of therapeutic professionals and desired outcomes
• Developing effective strategies for home, school and work
• Working collaboratively with medical and therapeutic professionals to foster an effective team approach
• Monitoring progress and offering additional strategies as needed
• Providing case management services, monitoring

 

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Services for adults include:

• Consultation
• Comprehensive case management
• Strategy development
• Workplace consulting
• Self-advocacy coaching
• Classroom observation
• Assessment of school/classroom choices
• Therapeutic team management
• Expert witness