We are flipping the understanding of autism and the approach to interaction with individuals with ASD completely upside down.

Here is why: whilst the autistic brain functions differently from ours, we don’t necessarily think that their brain falls short of anything in terms of its potential performance, development or capacity - on the contrary, we believe, that an autistic brain can do a lot more than ours, the neurotypical brain. We believe that an autistic brain is far, far more sensitive to external stimuli than ours - far more than what our brains can pick up on and therefore comprehend. With a brain so highly sensitive, you can imagine the sensory overload it experiences from the very moment of its exposure to our physical world. And with the vast majority of us, who don’t get to experience the same brain processes, how can we relate or help these individuals cope with their reality and perception of it? We can’t and we don’t (or at least not until fairly recently). We developed harsh strategies through which we try to make these individuals fit into our forms: ABA, speech therapies, occupational therapies, all trying to ‘bring them up’ to our level. To meet our standards. Which often causes far more harm than good. 

We look at ASD not through a lens of how far down the spectrum the person is, which typically implies that farther down the spectrum, the lower the capacity and functionality of the brain is. Instead, we see the scale as an indicator and measure of how ‘stuck’ their brain is. In fact, we try not to see any labels.

Our brains get bombarded by external stimuli all the time. But we have developed tools to help us regulate it. Now imagine your brain feeling bombarded with external stimuli - but not the ‘usual’ stimuli. Extra amount of stimuli and kind of stimuli that our brains somehow cannot perceive (for better or worse). And imagine that you have no tools to regulate this constant input? To temporarily shut it off and turn it on at will? To take a break from it. To allow your brain to recharge and process everything it gathers. What is our natural reaction to what we perceive as harmful and hurtful? What is our response to extremely high levels of stress? Self-protection. Self-preservation. Avoidance. Withdrawal. Distraction. Stress related health complications. Well, so is theirs. If we sometimes can’t cope with ‘too much’ on our level, even with all the tools that are known and available to us, how can they cope with their ‘too much’ without any coping tools?

Here is how: Instead of using us, the ‘neurotypicals’, as template and standard, we use their potentials as template and standard. Instead of us trying to make a person with ASD act, feel and communicate like us, at our will, when and how we seem appropriate, we try to open our mind up and tune in to their cognitive and emotional experiences as much as we are capable of. We let them come to us on their own terms. And whilst our brains do function differently, we emphasise the undeniable importance of what all human beings need in order to thrive - love and connection. The power of human connection has profound calming effect on both nervous systems - neurotypical and neurodivergent. And this is something that the autistic brain needs more than a plant needs water and sun to survive: calm. The ability to quieten the mind down. Allowing and perhaps even teaching that constantly overstimulated brain to take a break. To regulate its stimulation. Sadly, most approaches commonly used today do the exact opposite - add oil to the fire.

Making a close connection with a person with autism is not often easy. Oftentimes, the further down the spectrum they are, the more withdrawn and harder to reach those individuals are. There are only a very few proven techniques that are able to gently encourage this connection and we often use one of them as an effective tool to connect and communicate (learn more about Intensive Interaction).

We approach each individual and his/her family with a clean slate, bias and judgement free. Whilst we draw on our professional experience, we do not ‘box’ individuals based on similarities with other cases. This comes from our understanding and respect of individualism. Every individual is different. They have their own personalities, unique environment in which they live in and which has enormous impact on their lives, etc. We never compare and we will never tell you that your or your loved one with ASD should be able to do this or that, because another one was able to do it. No pressure, no expectation. Only a very spontaneous, organic interaction that is aimed to improve the wellbeing of each autistic individual.

One of our missions in this field is to change this general outlook on ASD that the public has adopted for some time now and to actually start serving these individuals by helping them unlock their potentials. This can’t be done by expecting them to act like us. We do not have to be able to completely relate to their mind and experiences of the world the way they do to comprehend this basic concept.

Incorporating Lifestyle Medicine Principles

Balanced diet ensures proper nutrition for the body and the brain

Healthy, clean environment with low air and noise pollution can reduce overstimulation and reactivity

Since autism is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, we consider all aspects of lifestyle to give the autistic brain and body the best chance to build, maintain and regulate its fragile chemistry. When it comes to the right nutrition, sleep needs, physical wellbeing, etc., autistic individuals are very much the same as neurotypical ones. Just like our diet, lifestyle, sleep quality and patterns, environment and much more can contribute to a deterioration of our physical and mental health, so can theirs. So whilst we work with each individual, we also work with their caretakers and families, making sure they know how to boost and encourage their autistic child’s or dependent’s wellbeing from every angle possible.