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Autism and Borderline Personality Disorder: Unraveling Misconceptions and Ensuring Accurate Diagnosis

Autism and BPD can share overlapping symptoms, further complicating diagnosis. Both conditions may involve challenges in social interactions, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with identity and sense of self. However, the underlying reasons for these symptoms differ. In autism, social difficulties stem from challenges in understanding social cues and norms, while in BPD, they arise from unstable self-image and intense fear of abandonment.

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Understanding Psychosis in Children: Signs, Symptoms, and Considerations for Parents

Psychosis, though often associated with adults, can also occur in children, albeit less frequently. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of psychosis in children is crucial for early intervention and support. In this article, we'll explore the manifestations of psychosis in children, the prevalence of hearing voices, and when psychosis may be indicative of a severe mental illness versus a transient experience.

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Distinguishing Between Pathological Demand Avoidance of Autism (PDA) and Other Types of Demand Avoidance: A Guide for Parents

Demand avoidance is a concept that many parents encounter in their children's behavior. It's important to understand that demand avoidance, in general, is a normal part of human behavior. We all have moments when we resist doing something we're asked to do, whether it's a mundane task or a more challenging request. However, when demand avoidance becomes persistent and significantly impacts a child's functioning, it may be worth exploring further.

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From Misdiagnosis to Validation: Addressing Women’s Concerns About Autism Testing

If you're reading this, chances are you've been on a journey to understand yourself better, seeking answers to questions that have lingered for far too long. You may have found yourself questioning whether you could be autistic, only to be met with dismissive responses or misdiagnoses from other providers. I understand the frustration, the uncertainty, and the fear that comes with feeling misunderstood and overlooked.

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Helping Parents Support ADHD Children: Strategies for School Success at Home

Parents play a pivotal role in their child's academic journey, especially when the child is neurodivergent. Children with ADHD often exhibit remarkable creativity, energy, and the ability to think outside the box. These strengths, when harnessed effectively, can lead to academic success and a fulfilling educational experience. Here are some strategies parents can use at home to support their children with ADHD in a way that affirms their neurodiversity and promotes academic achievement.

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The Unspoken Bias: Challenging Mental Health Professionals to Destigmatize BPD

Recently, I've observed a concerning trend within the mental health profession: the stigmatization of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite growing awareness and acceptance of mental health conditions among the general public, fueled in part by candid conversations on platforms like TikTok, it seems that some mental health professionals are lagging behind. It's time to address this issue head-on and advocate for a change in our approach to BPD.

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Embracing Your Unique Mind: What to Expect During Adult ADHD Testing

Do you ever feeling like you are navigating through life with a sense that your experiences are somehow different from those around you? Do you ever find that things that come easily to others are difficult for you? If so, it could be that your brain works a bit differently because of ADHD. If you're considering ADHD testing as an adult, you've taken a commendable step towards understanding and embracing your unique cognitive profile. Here's what you can expect during the process of adult ADHD testing, which we approach from a place of respect for neurodiversity and individual strengths.

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Neurodiversity and PDA: A Strengths-Based Approach to Parenting

Understanding and supporting a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of autism, can be a challenging journey. However, by adopting a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach, we can help our children to thrive. Let's dive into some strategies that can be helpful.

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Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Unique Profile of Autism

In this article, we will focus on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a distinct and often misunderstood profile of autism. PDA is a term coined by Elizabeth Newson in the 1980’s to describe a specific profile of autism characterized by extreme anxiety, demand avoidance, and a need for control. Some people prefer the term Pervasive Drive for Autonomy to represent PDA because of the desire to maintain control and autonomy in one’s environment. Unlike other forms of autism, individuals with PDA often display a high level of social understanding and can be highly skilled at masking their difficulties, making it challenging to identify their needs.

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Unleashing Your Potential: The Power of Executive Functioning Coaching for ADHD

In a world filled with demands and distractions, mastering the art of effective planning, organization, and decision-making is often the key to personal and professional success. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by tasks, struggled with time management, or yearned to enhance your cognitive skills, then you're in the right place. In this blog post, we'll explore executive functioning coaching—a powerful resource that can unlock your potential, regardless of the challenges you face. Whether you're a student aiming for academic excellence, a professional striving for career advancement, or simply someone seeking to navigate life with greater confidence and control, executive functioning coaching has the tools and techniques to guide you toward your goals.

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ADHD in Children: What Parents Need to Know

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a significant number of children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.1 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. This disorder can impact a child’s ability to concentrate, pay attention, and control impulsive behaviors. In this blog post, we will discuss what ADHD is, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options for children.

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Tips for Safe Driving: Empowering Individuals with ADHD and Autism

Picture yourself on a busy road, surrounded by the sights of honking horns, flashing lights, and relentless traffic. For many, this scenario is a mundane part of daily life, an activity that requires minimal effort and attention. However, for some individuals, driving can present a unique set of challenges that are often overlooked. In this blog post, we will discuss how autistic adults and adults with ADHD may be impacted while driving and share some tips for success. By shedding light on these challenges, we aim to promote understanding, empathy, and better support for individuals who may struggle while driving.

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Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects a person's emotions, behavior, and relationships with others. It is estimated that about 1.6% of the US population has BPD, and it is more commonly diagnosed in women than men. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for BPD.

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Managing Adult ADHD: Tips and Tricks for Success

ADHD can be very stressful and can impact daily life and productivity. It can lead to difficulties with your job, home life, and other relationships. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, or suspect that you may have it, it is important to learn strategies to manage it. Here are some tips to help you better manage adult ADHD.

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The Importance of Autism Awareness in Mental Health: Why Misdiagnosis is a Concern for Autistic Adults

We have been seeing an increasing number of adults seeking testing for autism. Unfortunately, many of these people have already seen other Psychologists and other mental health professionals and have been told that they have pretty much every other diagnosis except autism. On more than one occasion, we have seen someone say that they have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, OCD, anxiety, and depression – all different diagnoses for one person, yet none of these diagnoses feel quite right for them.

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Recognizing the Signs of Adult Autism

In this blog post, we are going to be reviewing some common signs of autism in adults. It is important to note that each autistic person has a unique experience and may have different strengths, challenges, and ways of coping. A neurodiversity-affirming approach to autism values and celebrates this diversity, instead of viewing autism as a problem to be fixed.

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Recognizing the Signs of Adult ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often thought of as something that affects children, but it can certainly affect adults as well. About 4.4% of adults in the United States have ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD in adults may include difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

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