The DSM-5 criteria doesn't change. But you can always change the way you ask the questions.

We get some skepticism on how we could have changed an established evaluation process that allows very little room for the existence of women, femmes, and nonbinary people. And somehow it's still valid??

The DSM-5 criteria doesn't change. But you can always change the way you ask the questions.?

Sensory assaults, or meltdowns, are pretty common in people on the Autism Spectrum. If you ask most women and femmes if they have "meltdowns" in public, however, they get a horrified look on their faces and say something to the effect of "Never! I would be mortified."?

The criteria includes poor regulation of sensory responses and this person says that they don't become completely dysregulated in public. They must not be autistic.?

Nah, bruh. Ask that same person if they leave that environment and collapse or have outbursts in private.??

Women and femmes have been socialized to never feel things where people can see. Smile. Don't look weird. Explosions aren't attractive. Feelings are private.?

Don't. Draw. Attention.?

So they experience all the same things, like elevated heart rate, feeling trapped, rigidity, desperation for comfort, etc. and they . . . keep it inside. They smile and pretend everything is totally fine. They continue to make fake eye contact, participate as much as they can, and then escape as soon as they are able.

Masking is learning. They learn how to avoid responding to things that are painful for them publicly so they can experience them privately. And then they have the response that they were socialized out of having before.?

That's the same thing as the traditional sensory response that the criteria indicates.

You don't have to change the criteria. You have to change the questions.?

That's what we did.?

Oh, and when you tailor your results to the most marginalized communities, they get better for everyone. There's this weird thing that happens with equity that it's, like, equitable.?

For more information about our adult autism assessment, click here to learn more and sign up.

Reach out at [email protected] with any questions.??

NEW Support Groups

Mental Health Provider Support

Wednesdays at 3 p.m. ET

Rainbow Dot in a Red State

Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET

We would love to have you join us.

All groups cost $20 per attendee. There is no commitment, no contract, and no attendance requirement.

You can find out more about all of our programs by clicking here.

Mental Health

We offer mental health programs with insurance-covered psychiatry and therapy care. To check availability in your state, You can fill out an eligibility for services form on our website today to get your benefits verified and your appointment scheduled.

Questions? Shoot them to [email protected]

Hiring

We have a huge need for clinical and non-clinical staff to make LBee Health work. Specifically, we're looking for:

Clinical:

• Therapists-Multiple state licensure preferred but not required. LMHC and LCSW (or state equivalent) accepted.
• PMHNPs- Multiple state licensure preferred, but we will license for the right team member. Collaborative agreements provided through position.
• Psychiatrists- Multiple state licensure preferred.
• Physician and nurse group leaders for profession-specific burnout groups.
• Psychologists with PSYPACT

Check out our job postings and apply here.

Come hang. You belong. Different doesn’t mean broken.

Loveyameanit,

-L2