Lora Slutsky, MS, CRC, LCPC Director of Clinical Services and Therapist
There is a critical demand for autism- affirming mental healthcare. Not only do Have Dreams’ Counseling & Employment Services help to address this need, but they also complement the other programs we offer. We love the opportunity to collaborate with the staff in our after-school SCILS groups or Have Dreams Academy workforce training program when participants in those programs are also served by Have Dreams’ therapists. With their consent, this allows
for a more wrap-around approach, where our team can offer more comprehensive support both in the therapy session and beyond.
We work on developing a more affirming view of neurodivergence, thinking about the impact on relationships, work, school, and future goals. We consider whether the client wants to disclose information about their autism to family, friends, employers, or teachers, and if so, what accommodations might make social, work, or school environments more accessible for them. I find it deeply meaningful to be a part of this journey with clients, particularly watching as internalized stigma and shame start to melt away and a more accepting and affirming view of their differences starts to emerge. The “aha” moments, where clients connect the dots and realize “Oh, X was really hard for me as a kid because of my autism, not because of some personal failing” is incredibly powerful. Playing a small part as they retell these stories about themselves is a true honor. The moments that stand out to me are when I have the opportunity to support clients who were diagnosed with autism as adults. A lot of our work in therapy focuses on learning about what autism is, how it manifests for them, and what it means to them. We often unpack a lot of trauma around being misunderstood for so many years, processing experiences of being bullied or called “lazy” by teachers or parents. So much of our work in therapy is about self-awareness and reframing the likely shame that developed over decades of feeling a “need” to mask autistic traits in order to fit in.
Have Dreams
www.havedreams.org
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