Class 1 Introduction, Vocabulary Overview, Autism History
Class 2 Sexuality and Autism Overview, LGBTQIA2+ and Autism
Class 3 Autism and Sexuality Deep Dive: Vagal Nerve, Trauma, Fascia, Autism, and Human Sexuality
Class 4 Autism and Sexuality Deep Dive: Sensory Processing Disorder, Autistic Burnout, Autism, and Human Sexuality
Class 5 Overview of Prior Content, Suggested Questions, Closing Exercise
Class 1 Introduction, Vocabulary Overview, Autism History
The first class addresses the question what is autism and how did we get to where we currently are in our framing and definition of autism. This class provides an overview of history which includes a brief history of ABA and eugenics. This class will also deconstruct social skills - what does it mean to say someone is deficient in social skills and what are different ways of discussing and framing social skills? Participants will leave with a greater sense of how we got where we are in our cultural and medical understanding of autism as well as alternative ways to discuss social skills that don't fall back on ableist deficit-based behaviorist frameworks.
Class 2 Sexuality and Autism Overview, LGBTQIA2+ and Autism
This class provides an introduction to human sexuality (definition, key vocabulary to know) as well as a discussion on the higher rates of LGBTQIA2+ identity in Autistic individuals. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of human sexuality.
Class 3 Autism and Sexuality Deep Dive: Vagal Nerve and Autism, Trauma and Autism, Fascia
The third class is a deep dive into the nervous system and its role in sexuality and socializing. This class includes an examination of the polyvagal theory, fascia, the immune system, and trauma. PDA (pathological demand avoidance) and rejection sensitive dysphoria will also be covered as illustrative examples of how an understanding of the nervous system, vagus nerve, and trauma can help shift our perspective around challenging behavior. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of the nervous system as well as how the nervous system and trauma impact and influence sexuality and ability to socialize.
Class 4 Autism and Sexuality Deep Dive: Sensory Processing Disorder, Autistic Burnout
The fourth class is a deep dive into the senses- including a discussion of auditory hyperacusis- and burnout- specifically Autistic burnout- and how both (individually and together) impact sexuality as well as socializing in general. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of our senses and autistic burnout and their role in sexuality and socializing.
Class 5 Overview of prior content, Suggested questions, Closing Exercise
The fifth class provides an overview of prior content, suggested questions for either intake or conversation, and a closing exercise. Participants will have ample time to ask questions regarding content from the first 4 classes. Participants will leave with a series of questions that can be used for personal reflection, intake forms, and conversations with clients.
Who is this class for?
This class series is primarily for therapists but it is open to anyone (i.e. Autistic individuals, parents, educators, other professionals who work with Autistic individuals etc.) who is interested in learning about autism, human sexuality, and the intersection of the two subjects. The series will include 5 classes as a set and an extensive resource list. Instead of piecemeal resource gathering, individuals can get a wide range of information in one place with guidance. This class series will be more focused on the “why” of behavior rather than behavior management/description. Course content can be adjusted based on participants prior knowledge and training. This class series is limited to 10 people. There is an option to do the class series one-on-one. The classes will be live and not prerecorded. If interested please contact axjmd2@gmail.com to set up a screening call (video or phone).
Payment
The class series is a sliding scale of $500-$1000. For individuals with various extenuating circumstances (parents, BIPOC/multiracial individuals, LGBTQIA2+ individuals, individuals struggling with student debt, and/or new therapists or educators) I am happy to discuss paying less than $500. If individuals don't fall under one of the above categories, I'm happy to discuss breaking up the $500- $1000 into manageable payments.
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In terms of payment plans, I discuss with individuals what amount they feel comfortable paying in total and setting up specific payment plans built around their schedule during the screening call. Payment plans might look like the following:
Option 1: Pay full amount before class (the full amount being whatever number we agreed to in the screening call and/or email).
Option 2: Pay partial amount before each class (so let's say an individual feels comfortable paying $1000 or $500 but needs to space it out the amount would come out to $200 or $100 before each class).
Option 3: Pay full amount by end of last class.
If these options do not work, I can set up a more specialized payment plan. Payment plans can be arranged by contacting axjmd2@gmail.com for more information.
Duration
Each class is 2 hours. This includes ~75-90 minutes of instruction with time for ~20-30 minutes of questions.
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The 5 part class series is meant to be flexible so classes might meet weekly, every other week, or once a month depending on individuals schedules.