A man diagnosed with autism, Paul Isaacs asked me: How big do you think the Autism Spectrum is? So far there seems to be many subgroups such as Classic Autism, Mid-Functioning Autism, High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Atypical Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Broader Autism Phenotype. Do you think there is room for more? Read the rest of this entry »
I am diagnosed with both autism and a dissociative disorder called DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). I have met others with both diagnosed conditions so the two can certainly co-exist. Read the rest of this entry »
To answer this we really need to ask several questions. Read the rest of this entry »
Interestingly, the majority of those with Asperger’s Syndrome have Alexithymia, an inability to read their own emotional states or even know if they are having any.
My Core Self though well dented and fragmented had taken a backseat in the body around age 2-4. As an adult it is finally able to begin to present in and through the body. But my question is whether Alexithymia could be the product of living as a split off self which became like a satellite, doing social interface on behalf of the Core Self and that once the Core Self was ‘replaced’ by this ‘meta self’, the meta self went on to experience itself as Alexithymic? Read the rest of this entry »
Being diagnosed with autism and with Dissociative Identity Disorder I reflected on the hundreds of children and adults I’ve worked with as an autism consultant since 1996. Given dissociation is such a natural process in young children that DID cannot reliably be diagnosed in early childhood, was dissociation something only non-autistic children did? If autistic children also farted, yawned, ate, toileted, slept, breathed, did they also have this natural ability to dissociate? Could their autism be complicated by issues of dissociation, depersonalisation, derealisation? And what might these look like in someone with autism? Read the rest of this entry »
Do you have a child self, selves? How old are they? Did they get stuck and why? Are they integrated parts of you or hidden in shame? Do they try and communicate with you and how? Or have they given up? If you have them, how do you try and help them have experiences so they can ultimately get past developmental blocks and ultimately integrate? What could/would you do for them? Read the rest of this entry »
I HAVE DID and I HAVE autism, and I HAVE tourette’s and I HAVE OCD and I HAVE immune deficiencies and I HAVE agnosias, but I AM Donna. Read the rest of this entry »
I heard from Sarah Smith (et al), a woman diagnosed with Dissociative Identity disorder. Having a diagnosis of both autism and DID myself, I invited her to interview me on the topic. Here’s our interview: Read the rest of this entry »
A friend on the autism spectrum who deals with mental health issues asked me if I’ve ever suffered the Mental Health system myself. It was a great question and really the answer depends on what the contrast is.
I was diagnosed in a 3 day hospital observation at the age of 2 as psychotic. In 1965 that would have been a social death knell. The abuse, degredation, being hidden, paraded etc, the sense I was only temporary and ultimately pegged for an institution… was that suffering due to the mental health system?
7 yrs of the primary school having me observed by Psych and Guidance, studied, evading, being labeled disturbed for my inability to comply, participate, communicate with all the associated 2nd class citizenship that entails in a mainstream. The teachers going through the motions at best, mostly left alone or stood out in the corridor, later stood in the rubbish bin by the teacher who threw chalk at me to the amusement of the students… is that due to the mental health system? Read the rest of this entry »
Greens candidate for Brand, Dawn Jecks and Greens health spokesperson, Rachel Siewert have urged the Government to reconsider a decision to cut funding for social workers and occupational therapists from a major mental health program. Senator Siewert said the removal of more than one thousand social workers from the Better Access program was an example of government’s “inadequate†response to growing demands on mental health services.
“Front line mental health social workers are absolutely critical to an effective approach to mental health care. Many people will be unable to receive Medicare-funded assistance from mental health social workers if these cuts go ahead.†The Better Access program will lose the funding for 1100 social workers in April next year if the funding cuts go ahead. The Greens opposed these changes when they were announced and we continue to oppose the Federal Government’s plan.
“If social workers and occupation therapists are removed from the Better Access program – the consequences for people who need mental health care will be dramatic,†said Senator Siewert. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing is currently reviewing the program but, despite the review not being finalised, the Government has already made the decision to axe social workers from the program.
Ms Jecks said she was “deeply troubled†by the decision. “Social workers and occupational therapists are essential to a comprehensive approach to mental health,†she said. “Mental health is a matter of national importance requiring the creation of a new position in cabinet – a dedicated Minister for Mental Healthâ€. Read the rest of this entry »
Donna Williams is an Australian born adult with autism who was assessed as psychotic at the age of 2 in 1965, labelled disturbed in the 1970s and diagnosed as autistic in her 20s in 1991.
She acquired functional speech in late childhood and went on to become a qualified teacher with an honors degree in Sociology and a degree in Linguistics. She is the author of two international bestselling autobiographies and has 10 published books including 4 text books widely used in autism education and two books of poetry and prose.
As a screenwriter, she wrote the screenplay to “Nobody Nowhere”, the first book in her 4 book autobiographical series. That screenplay is currently under option to become a Hollywood film. She is an professional artist, singer-songwriter and published poet as well as a world renowned public speaker on autism now living with her husband in Australia. In her presentations she draws not only on her own experiences but on international experience as a professional autism consultant since 1996.
Donna’s is a speaker in demand around the world due to her unique perspective and ability to share her feelings and experiences on a very personal level. More information about her and her life’s work can be found on her website at http://www.donnawilliams.net .