Understanding Autism & Engaging Differently

In this episode of "Facing the Moment," we dive into the misunderstood world of autism, moving beyond the framework of "deficit" or "disorder" to explore it as a unique neurological architecture for feeling. 

Host Toufic Hakim, PhD, engages in a conversation with Sarah Bergenfield, MACAS, an IFS-trained consultant, somatic awareness expert, and co-author of Wired to Feel. Together, they discuss the science of predictive processing, the crucial distinction between nervous system arousal and anxiety, and how the autistic brain navigates a world of overwhelming sensory "noise" and "signals" 

Sarah shares her lived experience as a diagnosed autistic individual and a parent, offering a deeply personal look at the importance of routine, the power of sensory reduction over "fixing," and the profound wisdom found in the autistic body's natural methods of self-regulation. 

The episode offers insights into fostering compassionate understanding and highlights the importance of honoring human dignity by creating safe, welcoming spaces that prioritize authentic connection over the pressure to conform. 

Join us for this moving and highly informative discussion on how to listen to the innate wisdom of the autistic brain and body with curiosity, hope, and humanity. 

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