Welcome
Challenging Stereotypes, Celebrating Differences, and Empowering
Deb Lipsky and Will Richards met in the Spring of 2005. Deb had recently been diagnosed as autistic after living in semi-seclusion for the previous 18 years on a farm in rural Aroostook County, Maine, near the Canadian border. After being diagnosed she decided to return to the work force She asked herself what sort of job would be suitable for an autistic woman in her forties. The only autistic person she was familiar with was Temple Grandin so she decided that she would become a national speaker. Although she had a Masters degree in counseling and education she lacked the social skills required to interact with an audience. She took Bard training to learn the art of verbal communication. Based on that, she offered herself to a nation-wide seminar company and was given a try. She was an instant success but difficulties with transitions and changes led to an increase in meltdowns which jeopardized her career plans. She also was involved as a board member and educator for the Autism Society of Maine.
Will Richards had his first clinical experience working with autistic individuals in the 1960’s as a graduate student at Arizona State University. After teaching at Western Illinois University and having various clinical/administrative positions at institutional and community based programs he went into private practice. For the past eight years he has worked exclusively with individuals on the autism spectrum. While working with adults who ranged from needing 24 hour supervision to well established professionals, he encountered the usual communication and socialization challenges but commonly found the most pressing issue was unwanted meltdowns. The Autism Society of Maine frequently called on him to provide diagnostic clarification, therapy, and consultation.
It was through the Autism Society of Maine that Deb and Will met. They initially met to discuss current research and practice in social skills training, but quickly focused on communication differences. Miscommunication between the two was an initial obstacle. Will had a terrible propensity to talk in metaphor while Deb used literal language. As long as language was literal there was no miscommunication. They worked out a routine for clarification that became the basis for their workshops on communication.
They also discovered a common interest in understanding meltdowns and intervening appropriately. Like many autistic individuals, Deb experiences frequent and distressing meltdowns which have had a negative impact on all aspects of her life. She feared that Will, like many other acquaintances, would find this overwhelming and their fledgling collegial relationship would be over. This turned out not to be the case.
Instead it was the beginning a mutually beneficial exploration into the nature of meltdowns. Will was very aware of some of misconceptions regarding meltdowns and the resulting conflicts between those intervening. Deb was able to describe in detail what her experience was like as an autistic person with frequent meltdowns. Working together on this project was mutually affirming and became their signature contribution to the field.
Deb and Will enthusiastically embarked on challenging existing stereotypes on meltdowns. Meltdowns had been commonly and erroneously referred to as temper tantrums with resultant inappropriate interventions. It became apparent that what was needed was a clear understanding of meltdowns and guidelines for intervening. They created intervention strategies and began to do seminars and workshops.
Meltdowns are scary for those experiencing them and those witnessing them. When one is scared the best choices are not made. SCARED was the acronym allowing for an easy to remember guide for implementation of intervention strategies. They created a manual for first responders, which is now being published in book format by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Autistic individuals are frequently characterized by deficits, dysfunction, and disability. Will and Deb make the case for celebrating differences while recognizing the tremendous challenges autistic individual face in a non-autistic world. Essential to celebrating differences is the positive affirmation of the individual as unique with his/her own strengths. They are increasingly asked to present seminars and keynote speeches on the Power of Positive Affirmation.
Effective intervention involves engagement on a common ground. Too often the approach has been to get rid of “unwanted” behavior with little regard to understanding its underpinnings or function in an individual’s life. This is especially true with regard to routine, repetition, or special interests. Deb and Will present an alternative using a positive psychology approach which begins with active listening. If we listen carefully autistic individuals like everyone else will convey their goals and aspirations. Too often they are dismissed or not even heard when the focus is on problematic behavior. Active listening can lead to engaging an individual in areas meaningful to him or her. If goals are defined descriptively, preferably visually, and a starting point can be defined as clearly the focus turns to the necessary steps to achieve the goal. Completion of each step can be celebrated. Success leads to success and positive self affirmation. An ancillary effect is that interveners are seen as resources as opposed to adversaries and positive relationships develop.