.png)
THE SJ CHILDS SHOW
Looking for an inspiring podcast on education and parenting? Check out "The SJ Childs Show," ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally. It covers diverse topics, including neurodiversity and inclusion, featuring interviews with experts and thought-provoking discussions. This show aims to challenge your beliefs and enhance your skills as a parent, educator, and global citizen. Tune in for unique insights and perspectives!
Go here to download training materials!
https://sjchilds.myshopify.com/
THE SJ CHILDS SHOW
International Autism Summit Episode-Embracing Autism: Empowerment, Understanding, and Suicide Prevention in the Neurodiverse Community
Navigating the emotional waves of an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it also opens doors to empowerment and understanding. Join us as we share the emotional journey of embracing this new reality, featuring Bridget Hamstead, the visionary behind Vishnu Tree. Bridget offers valuable insights on transforming initial fears into a sense of freedom, where families can tap into resources, educate others, and find strength in supportive communities. We honor lives lost to suicide within the neurodiversity community, highlighting the urgent need for compassionate and tailored support systems. Through these conversations, we aim to foster a more inclusive and understanding environment for all neurodivergent individuals.
Unpacking the unique challenges within the autistic community, we address how race, gender, and sexual orientation intersect to impact mental health and suicidality. Alarming statistics reveal the compounded risks faced by autistic individuals, calling for early diagnosis and neurodiversity-affirming mental health services. This episode advocates for the training of mental health professionals to meet the complex needs of this community. We emphasize the power of human connection through personal stories of struggle and resilience, expressing gratitude for the voices rising above adversity and showcasing the importance of vulnerability in building community. Together, these narratives create a tapestry of empathy and understanding, reminding us of our collective strength.
compared to autism. But it's that. It's that unveiling of like yeah, hey, I can see something differently Now. You've been living in a fog almost and I could just tell he just Adam, you can just tell yeah.
Speaker 2:I think it's really important that you said that, because I think for parents of children with just a new diagnosis, that's something really scary to to uncover and it can be so overwhelming. However, um, with that knowledge also comes what I like to think of as freedom freedom of services, freedom of educating your family members, the school, the peers, the workplace you know, just a variety of like you know family that you can hold on to these community members hands and say show me what you've been through, show me what I can do better.
Speaker 2:And I don't think that that was really around, you know, before and now we have this amazing community.
Speaker 1:So yeah, that's true.
Speaker 2:Oh, fantastic. Yeah, I think that our our next guest is is here and if we want to bring her up and introduce her. Hi, bridget, nice to meet you. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Yeah, you know, in years past and other events, as I said, I've brought all of kind of like my friends with me and you know, come to these events and this event is so special because there's so many new advocates that I haven't met yet. That are, you know, these bright, shining lights in our community that now we get to connect and bring more opportunities and more education and knowledge for everyone. So thank you so much, bridget, for being here today. Very happy to be here.
Speaker 3:Thank you for having me for being here today.
Speaker 2:Very happy to be here. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. Did you have? Did you get your? Do you have slides? Did you get everything worked out in the back? So, I don't have slides I this is a two hour presentation that.
Speaker 3:I've condensed into 30 minutes and I couldn't. The autism in me could not part with any of the slides. So there are no slides. I love it.
Speaker 2:I hear that. Okay, Well, as soon as you are ready and you know ready to go, you are welcome to take the stage and we'll be right here in the backstage and in the comments and everything, just supporting and and ready so are.
Speaker 3:Is this? Is this what it'll look like for me, or or is it?
Speaker 2:uh, jeff will kick us off of the stage and you will be the only presenter on the screen, if that's what you'd like. If not, we're welcome to stay with you. To make it more comfortable too, we like to offer whatever option is best?
Speaker 3:will I be introducing myself or will someone introduce me?
Speaker 2:um, we've just done your introduction, it's all live right now. So, yeah, so you, now you're, you can just uh we'll get all your charms. You know it's so relaxing and just an easy setting to be in. There's no pressure, no expectations, which leads to no disappointment. Well, great.
Speaker 3:Well, I will get started, Okay, welcome great.
Speaker 3:Well, I will get started. Okay, welcome everyone. I'm Bridget Hampstead, founding director of Vishnu Tree, which is a neurodiversity community center, a consulting firm here in the US. As we gather today to address the pressing concerns of suicide prevention within the neurodiversity community, let us take a moment to honor and remember the autistic individuals we have tragically lost to suicide. Let this moment of silence serve not only as a tribute to their lives, but also as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for compassionate, tailored support and inclusive policies. May our silence reflect our collective commitment to change, ensuring a safer, more understanding future for all neurodivergent people. Thank you.
Speaker 3:Autism, which is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, manifests uniquely across various individuals, influencing communication, behavior and social interactions. This diversity within the autistic spectrum intersects significantly with various social identities, including race, gender and sexual orientation. Each of these intersections introduces unique challenges that affect the lived experiences of autistic people, particularly in how they interact with the world and access support services. The intersectionality of autism necessitates a nuanced approach to mental health care, especially in suicide prevention, where tailored strategies are crucial to effectively support the diverse needs within the autistic community. Recent studies highlight the stark reality faced by autistic adults concerning mental health and suicidality. Adults concerning mental health and suicidality. Autistic individuals are up to seven times more likely to die by suicide compared to non-autistic adults. This alarming statistic underscores the critical vulnerabilities within this community and the urgent need for targeted interventions. Further compounding this issue is the increased prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts among autistic adolescents and adults. Research shows that the risk of suicide attempts is more than threefold higher in the autistic population than in the general population. This elevated risk is persistent across different age groups and demographic backgrounds, pointing to a systemic issue that spans beyond individual circumstances. These statistics not only illuminate the severity of the issue, but also the profound impact of intersectional identities on the mental health of autistic adults. The data drive home the importance of creating suicide prevention strategies that are as multifaceted as the community they serve.
Speaker 3:Autistic individuals from minority racial backgrounds often encounter a complex array of systemic barriers that exacerbate their challenges. Disparities in healthcare access are a significant concern, with studies showing that these individuals are less likely to receive timely and accurate diagnosis compared to their white counterparts. This delay in diagnosis can lead to a lack of early intervention services, which are crucial for improving long-term outcomes. Additionally, racial discrimination within healthcare and community settings can lead to misinterpretations of behavior and inadequate support, further alienating these individuals from necessary resources.
Speaker 3:Autistic girls, women and gender-diverse individuals face unique challenges that significantly impact their mental health and risk of suicidality. There is a notable delay in the diagnosis of autism among women and girls, often because their characteristics do not align with the male-centric diagnostic criteria historically used for assessing autism. This delay can lead to years of misunderstanding and mismanagement of their condition, contributing to heightened mental health struggles and an increased risk of suicide attempts. Reports show that autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people often experience higher rates of mental health issues and suicidality, exacerbated by societal stigma and the pressure to conform to societal norms that do not accommodate their neurodiversity. Autistic people who are also part of the LGBTQIA plus community face additional layers of stigma and isolation. The lack of understanding and acceptance from both society at large and sometimes even within their own communities and families, can lead to significant psychological distress. This distress is often magnified for those who additionally navigate challenges or racial discrimination, making it imperative that support systems are intersectionally aware and equipped to handle the specific needs of this diverse population. Diverse population A significant factor contributing to the increased suicide risk among autistic individuals is the prevalence of mental health disparities and co-occurring conditions such as ADHD.
Speaker 3:Research shows that autistic people are more likely to experience a range of neurological, developmental and mental health conditions, with ADHD being particularly common. This co-occurrence can exacerbate differences in self-regulation and coping with stress, leading to a heightened risk of suicidality. These complex mental health needs are often poorly understood and inadequately addressed by current healthcare systems, significantly impacting the well-being of autistic individuals. Social isolation is a pervasive issue for many autistic adults, stemming from ongoing challenges in social communication and frequent misunderstandings by society. The lack of meaningful social connections can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, despair and significant risk factors for suicidality. Unemployment rates are also notably higher among the autistic population, influenced by workplace discrimination and the misalignment between typical work environments and the needs of autistic people. Financial instability and the lack of structured daily routine contribute further to mental health decline.
Speaker 3:Additionally, the phenomenon of camouflaging, where autistic individuals mask their autistic traits to fit into social norms, can lead to increased psychological distress. This masking can prevent the recognition of their needs by others, delaying or preventing appropriate support and increasing the risk of burnout and mental health crisis. These risk factors are further exacerbated by systemic issues, including a significant lack of specialized neuroaffirming support tailored to the unique needs of autistic individuals. There is also a pervasive societal misunderstanding of autism, which contributes to the stigmatization and marginalization of this community. This community, these systemic barriers not only hinder the access to necessary services, but also perpetuate a cycle of isolation and mental health challenges.
Speaker 3:Early diagnosis is a pivotal strategy for effective suicide prevention in autistic people. Early and accurate identification of autism can lead to timely neuroaffirming interventions, appropriate support and better overall outcomes. However, it's critical that diagnostic processes are adapted to recognize autism in diverse populations, including different genders, races, sexual orientations and ages. This requires training for professionals and culturally competent practices that respect and understand the diverse presentations of autism. The development of neurodiversity-affirming mental health services that are sensitive to the nuances of race and gender is essential. These services should not only acknowledge the existence of neurodiversity, but celebrate and accommodate it within healthcare and accommodation plans. Mental health professionals need training in neurodiversity to understand how characteristics and needs might present differently across the autism spectrum and how these intersect with issues of race, gender, sexual orientation and other identities.
Speaker 3:Presenting and advocating for the expansion of existing resources tailored specifically for autistic adults is vital. While general mental health resources are invaluable, there is a clear need for services specifically designed to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent people. This includes creating more accessible mental health care facilities, offering community support groups and ensuring that all mental health professionals have training in both neurodiversity and intersectional issues. Organizations and communities should work together to advocate for the establishment of these specialized services. Advocacy should focus on securing funding, influencing policy changes and raising public awareness about the specific mental health needs of autistic individuals, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
Speaker 3:To address the urgent needs of the neurodivergent population and ensure a more inclusive society, we must take decisive action across various sectors.
Speaker 3:We urge mental health professionals to adopt and promote inclusive policies that acknowledge and cater to the needs of neurodivergent communities.
Speaker 3:This includes integrating training on neurodiversity and intersectionality into professional development programs to ensure that practitioners can provide appropriate and sensitive care to autistic individuals from all backgrounds. We encourage educational institutions to incorporate neurodiversity into their curricula and support services. This will not only educate future professionals about the spectrum of neurodivergent experiences, but also ensure that autistic students receive the support they need to succeed academically and socially. We call on policymakers to review and revise existing laws and regulations to better support the neurodivergent community. This includes enhancing access to mental health services, improving employment opportunities and ensuring that public services are accessible and inclusive for all neurodivergent individuals. We empower leaders within communities to spearhead initiatives that promote awareness, acceptance and support for neurodivergent individuals. Advocacies should focus on eliminating stigma and building strong support networks through community engagement and public education campaigns, and we advocate for enhanced research efforts to better understand and mitigate suicide risks among the neurodivergent population. This research should particularly focus on exploring intersections of autism with race, gender and sexual orientation, to uncover specific risk factors and effective prevention strategies.
Speaker 2:Thank you it's so important that we keep these facts and information just at the forefront of our advocacy. There's nothing worse than losing friends, loved ones, community members in general, when they couldn't access help. There's just nothing more devastating. Yeah, what do you think, bridget, is a way you know that we could give more help to, especially, I think, like you said, that families adolescent group that just really is having this hard time with their identity and they're fitting into society. What are some steps we could take to help them?
Speaker 3:So there are multiple fronts, obviously, and I address those in the call to action. However, we need to look at the terms. We need to look at short-term solutions, long-term solutions. We need to look at reducing systemic barriers, breaking down barriers. So, if you advocate for early diagnosis, early diagnosis saves lives If it's coupled with neuroaffirming services and care, you know, if we advocate for specialized services, if we advocate for the education of neurodiversity professionals in the therapeutic fields, in the mental health field, in the physical health field like that's all good, we also need to address very short-term issues.
Speaker 3:So there are in existence several hotlines, suicide hotlines that you can call. There's one for veterans, there's one for specifically for the LGBTQI plus group, there's a general number we need to have you know at all of these. We need to have specifically trained people that work with autistic adolescents and adults, and then perhaps a dedicated line itself for the neurodivergent community at large. So you have to look at what are the systemic issues that our laws need to address, what are the systemic issues that our educational institutions need to address, what are the missing services, what are the existing services that need to be altered or changed or need to evolve? And then, in the short term, in the immediate term, what can we do to help people who are in crisis?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You know, I have an, a nonprofit. I am like baby steps. But what I one of the things that I had spoken to kind of one of our developers about was a crisis line and how do we, how do we create that for, um, our community?
Speaker 2:You know, in it kind of just a little tiny story in our community, we had an unfortunate police altercation with an individual where they were shot several times.
Speaker 2:They are living, they, you know, were made it through, but it was like a 13 year old boy who I could have, you know, taken him out in the middle of the street, like anybody could have like really helped this kid. And my husband and I were devastated at the time because I think our son was 12 at the time and we thought, no, how could this could happen to us, this could have this could be us in this situation. And, um, of course, it started our, you know, training of our local police departments. But the that's when I said to him like I need a louder voice, like this isn't, this can't be happening. And we started a group that was literally intended for parents in our neighborhood and now has reached a global scale of people that have joined like 1600 members, which is just fantastic, but it goes to show that there is more need than just in my neighborhood. This is a need that is for everyone and on a huge scale.
Speaker 3:Our nonprofit began as a brunch group, an adult brunch group also now has global reach, and we're also working on suicide prevention initiatives and strategies. If you'd like to talk further about a call line, I'd love to talk to you.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely Absolutely, Mia. What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1:This is eye-opening for me because I didn't know what was the issue. I did not know that this was really starting. You know, it was on the rise. So this is really eye opening. And my guy is 15. So he's going through all those hormones and everything and I just it's going to put me on alert just to make sure I'm checking in with his emotions. How is he feeling, what's he? You know, because I did not know. This is completely eye opening for me right now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you, bridget, for bringing this to the forefront for us in such an important way, such an important way section Nico said very on point, bridget, and he also made the comment neurodivergent people need strong, supportive people, are patient and more accepting as they tend to think differently than others.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, and it's through these sharing living experiences that we can, you know, living experiences that we can, you know, help, bring resources and access to those who need it. And it's almost like the hardest thing, like how do you reach the people who don't know about you and don't know that you're exist and don't know you have these things? So I think that you know legislation working on. I think that is probably like a really wonderful uh initiative, if you will, to get major change happening for for societies I myself.
Speaker 3:I'm a survivor of three suicide attempts and there's not a day that goes by that I don't have suicidal ideations. I have a, I have a happy home life, I have a partner, we have three children that we share and you know it's not, it's not a circumstance based. It's a dealing with a childhood and adolescence and early adulthood of being completely misunderstood and not wholly, you know, accepted for who you are as a person.
Speaker 3:It's the constant masking across sectors. You know every area of your life that leads to burnout and, just, you know, wanting it to be over and to end. You know I run a nonprofit that is only employs neurodivergent people to serve other neurodivergent people and it's beautiful and it's growing and it's very successful. You know, and the work is very important to me. It's my life. I have three neurodivergent children that I'm raising and that I'm here for and they keep me going, but not a day goes by. You know, where this is not a concern of mine and others hold you in our hearts and thoughts and and just really are appreciative and grateful
Speaker 2:and honored for your time and your story and your education that you're sharing. Thank you for having me. Oh, it's been such a pleasure to get to know you more and I really look forward to keeping this connection and collaborating, you know, with you on things in the future. Absolutely, oh, wow. Well, I hope that you'll, you know, come back as a guest and enjoy the rest of the sessions and, you know, find your community and your friends here, cause that's what I'm really trying to make is this beautiful place where we can come and be ourselves and have our coffee cups bigger than our faces, whatever we want, right and just, yeah, it doesn't matter how you show up, the fact that you are showing up is what matters here, and we, just we honor that in every way.
Speaker 2:Thank you, yes, thank you, so so much. What a beautiful day and um sessions that we're having. I'm just emotional, you know it's. It's so serious what she was talking about and so heavy on our hearts when we think about people feeling isolated and alone and not seen or valued, and it's just. I don't think any human should have to deserve to go through that.
Speaker 1:I really felt that she was really. You can sense it. You can sense her having to struggle every day and I just I'm grateful that she is alive, I'm grateful that she was supposed to be here alive to even speak to all these people who we needed to hear her voice, and so I'm thankful that her suicides did not, that they failed, that they failed because she is here and someone like me, so that I can pass this on and that everybody else who's on that can pass it on, because we needed to hear that. We just don't know what people are going through. It's just, it was just. I'm grateful, very, very grateful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. Me too Extremely moved by that and the messages and just the. You know, the honesty and rawness and vulnerability that our speakers are willing to show to us and to share with us, Because I think it's through that vulnerability and authenticity that we're able to relate to them as humans and say I'm not alone, you're not alone, like we're in this together, thank goodness, we have one another to be, you know, in this fun story we call life, oh my goodness.
Speaker 2:Well, I think that we should take a moment to thank our sponsors, you being one of them, mia, thank you so, so much. I absolutely love your videos, too, that we have going on for your.
Speaker 1:Yes, Shout out to Miss Regina, my girl. Regina is my one of my social media girls. She did awesome I need her number.
Speaker 2:She did. She did awesome and just really grateful to to be able to appreciate you all and and show the world who is really showing up for us in this community. So, jeff, we'll take a tiny little break now and go ahead and we'll show those sponsor videos and we'll be back.
