Our workshops provide guidance for individuals on the autism spectrum and parents/carers

Autism and Mental Health – by Paul Isaacs on Thursday 22nd April at 11am

Join Paul Isaacs and Anna Kennedy talk about Autism and Mental Health at our free workshop which will take place on Thursday 22nd April at 11am.

Paul Isaacs is our Ambassador and he is also an Autism Advocate, Speaker, Trainer and Consultant

Click here to register

Introduction/Overview of the Workshop
Statistics show that up to 70 percent of people on the autism spectrum have sometimes (undiagnosed) co- conditions that  can get called “the autism” but are potentially and in reality something that is running alongside?

This could be to with genetic factors, environmental, core belief and patterns of thinking which result in different presentations of what is called anxiety.

Hypothetically COVID has presented difficult and uncertain times which may have amplified and turned the “volume up” on these  identifiable conditions in some people.

Looking at How Mental Health Co-Conditions Could Present Themselves

Obsessive compulsive disorder This has a 30 percent crossover with autism which is to do with the balances between dopamine and serotonin this can present itself with intrusive, distressing compulsions which the person themselves feels the need complete and finish in order to break the cycle usually this is short term.

Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia – The person may be overly conscious and self-aware during social gatherings (be it physically or virtual) this may lead to forced isolation and withdrawal this isn’t just to do with interaction with friends and family members but also interactions with strangers in contextual settings (banks, GP appointments, shop assistants) etc.

Impulse Control disorders Can be best described as person’s unconscious mind reacting to scenarios/situations and thoughts to counter this the person my pluck, pick or cut their hair and eyelashes, pick and scratch their skin, peel or cut their nails. I would suggest that people whom have body or pain agnosia’s may be more likely to cause scarring and physical trauma.

Psychosis Is a breakdown of reality this could be to with complex delusions of thought and multi-sensory hallucinations in which the person’s idea of external and/or internal reality has become distorted – however it is worth noting that to the person themselves and with the nervous system and brain reacting as such it is an reality and must be treated with care and understanding the person’s perspective.

Dissociative Disorders Is a human being’s defence mechanism for trauma and can present itself in different ways – such as depersonalisation in which the person goes away from self, derealisation in which the person goes away from their physical surroundings, dissociative amnesia in which lapses and gaps in memories and events (due to the brain being unable process the incoming information), PTSD in which the person is reliving the events in present time an dissociative identity disorder in which the person has alters that project the “core self” from harm.

Attachment disorders  This happens in the first six months of a baby’s life when (for whatever reason) the bounding doesn’t happen this can cause psychosocial, neurological and learning difficulties for person in question – emotional dysregulation, language processing challenges and other co-conditions can be a part of the presentation – it is worth noting that autism was thought to be attachment disorder it isn’t BUT both can co-exist and one must be able to keep an open mind and not judge the parent/caregiver in question but to understand the underpinnings and reasonings.

Other Aspects To Consider
Other aspects may need to be considered such as information processing factors, personality types/disordered extremes, the self-awareness of one’s autism and information which was supplied to parents/caregivers in the past and currently, be suggesting that other aspects could be at play – your offer potentially beneficial avenues for understanding, acceptance and health person centred plans that are with the person’s and families interests at the heart.

Paul Isaacs 2021

FREE upcoming compelling workshops!

Join our Ambassador Paul Isaacs, Autism Advocate, Speaker, Trainer and Consultant on for:

• Thursday 20th May starting at 11am – Autism and Mindfulness
• Thursday 24th June starting at 11am – Autism and Information Processing

Keep keep checking back – zoom link details to follow soon!

About Paul Isaacs

Paul Isaacs is an autistic trainer, speaker, consultant and blogger. He has co-authored several books including Life through a Kaleidoscope and Living through the Haze. Paul was branded as a “naughty & difficult child” at school. He was classically autistic and non-verbal due to speech articulation difficulties. He had complex sensory issues and appeared both deaf and blind. He gained functional speech around the age of 7 or 8 years old.

Paul went through the mainstream school system with no additional help or recognition of his autism. Consequently, he did not achieve his academic or his social potential and had very low self-esteem. At age 11, Paul was referred to the children’s mental health service with childhood depression where he was regarded as “developmentally underage” and having speech problems.

As an adult, Paul had a string of unsuccessful jobs, and his mental health suffered. He developed both Borderline and Schizotypal Personality Disorders in early 2007. He was referred to mental health services and misdiagnosed with “Asperger traits with a complex personality”, which did not satisfy Paul or his family.

Please watch the video recordings below of recent interviews that took place online – all about Autism and life in lock-down

Anna Kennedy talks to
Bryan Chandler

Anna Kennedy talks to Carrie Grant

Anna Kennedy talks to Kacey Ainsworth 

Please watch the video recordings below of recent workshops that took place online that have been so informative

Jo Luck
Fighting With Lead Boots
Dual Diagnosis of ADHD & Autism workshop

Paul Issacs
The System Sensing & Mental Health Workshop
Part 2