WEBVTT
00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:06.049
Welcome to The Exceptional Humans Podcast, where we discuss questions related to language, identity, education, and behavior.
00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.630
I'm your host, Penelope and I have a background in education, linguistics, and behavioral science.
00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:31.859
Today we will be discussing how to support a family member diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, or an eating disorder.
00:00:32.505 --> 00:00:43.034
I am pairing these diagnoses because there are similarities in the effective supports, as well as a high chance of comorbidity.
00:00:44.034 --> 00:00:53.725
Comorbidity in this case means that an individual is identified as being neurodivergent, then diagnosed with an eating disorder.
00:00:54.725 --> 00:01:08.444
It is not uncommon for someone with ASD to also receive a diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, also known as ARFID.
00:01:09.444 --> 00:01:23.094
Before we discuss subtle changes family members can make in how they support their loved ones, I want to list some of the benefits in providing effective support.
00:01:24.625 --> 00:01:28.314
The first is improved mental health outcomes.
00:01:29.784 --> 00:01:35.305
The second is better relationships with family members and others.
00:01:36.144 --> 00:01:39.025
The third is increased self-esteem.
00:01:40.165 --> 00:01:45.864
The fourth is enhanced academic and workplace success.
00:01:46.284 --> 00:01:52.254
And the last is the promotion of inclusivity in wider society.
00:01:53.254 --> 00:02:04.650
Now let's discuss the subtle changes family members can make in supporting individuals with ASD, ADHD and eating disorders.
00:02:05.875 --> 00:02:15.235
The first and most important thing that family members can do is shift their mindset away from'fixing' to supporting.
00:02:16.235 --> 00:02:30.395
Supporting loved ones in finding effective tools and strategies to address the triggers, barriers and other risk factors surrounding their diagnosis is vital.
00:02:32.210 --> 00:02:40.729
However, in seeing an individual's neurodivergence or eating disorder as a problem to be fixed is dehumanizing.
00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.500
A car with engine problems requires fixing.
00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:53.419
A person with a diagnosis needs support from those that care about them most.
00:02:54.759 --> 00:03:02.710
Learning about the diagnosis your loved one has received is essential in providing appropriate support.
00:03:04.030 --> 00:03:19.419
And it should be the responsibility of family members to find appropriate supports rather than expecting individuals with ASD, ADHD and EDs to fulfill the role of educator and advocate.
00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:30.439
Consistency of supports, especially the language used around the diagnosis is important.
00:03:31.610 --> 00:03:39.925
Family members should avoid using terminology that includes terms that are disparaging to individuals with diagnoses.
00:03:41.495 --> 00:03:50.870
Especially, words and terminology that have been used historically, but are now considered slurs.
00:03:52.189 --> 00:03:55.189
Assigning blame should also be avoided.
00:03:55.819 --> 00:04:09.830
Furthermore downplaying the severity of EDs by using phrases such as'They're just a fussy eater' undermines both the severity of the diagnosis and your loved one's experience.
00:04:10.830 --> 00:04:31.589
The experience of somebody with ASD or ADHD or an eating disorder is going to vary quite significantly from a family member supporting that individual.
00:04:33.105 --> 00:04:43.605
It is important to acknowledge and understand that whilst those experiences may be very different, they are both valid.
00:04:44.605 --> 00:04:53.754
Lastly, it is important that family members leave space for compassion towards their loved one and themselves.
00:04:54.894 --> 00:05:05.516
There is no rule book for the journey you are taking in supporting an individual with ASD, ADHD or EDs.
00:05:07.314 --> 00:05:16.314
Lead by example, model emotional regulation, and demonstrate your love through understanding.
00:05:17.365 --> 00:05:22.464
The Exceptional Humans Podcast is written and recorded on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara lands.
00:05:23.024 --> 00:05:31.214
We would like to pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.
00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:06.049
Welcome to The Exceptional Humans Podcast, where we discuss questions related to language, identity, education, and behavior.
00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.630
I'm your host, Penelope and I have a background in education, linguistics, and behavioral science.
00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:31.859
Today we will be discussing how to support a family member diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, or an eating disorder.
00:00:32.505 --> 00:00:43.034
I am pairing these diagnoses because there are similarities in the effective supports, as well as a high chance of comorbidity.
00:00:44.034 --> 00:00:53.725
Comorbidity in this case means that an individual is identified as being neurodivergent, then diagnosed with an eating disorder.
00:00:54.725 --> 00:01:08.444
It is not uncommon for someone with ASD to also receive a diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, also known as ARFID.
00:01:09.444 --> 00:01:23.094
Before we discuss subtle changes family members can make in how they support their loved ones, I want to list some of the benefits in providing effective support.
00:01:24.625 --> 00:01:28.314
The first is improved mental health outcomes.
00:01:29.784 --> 00:01:35.305
The second is better relationships with family members and others.
00:01:36.144 --> 00:01:39.025
The third is increased self-esteem.
00:01:40.165 --> 00:01:45.864
The fourth is enhanced academic and workplace success.
00:01:46.284 --> 00:01:52.254
And the last is the promotion of inclusivity in wider society.
00:01:53.254 --> 00:02:04.650
Now let's discuss the subtle changes family members can make in supporting individuals with ASD, ADHD and eating disorders.
00:02:05.875 --> 00:02:15.235
The first and most important thing that family members can do is shift their mindset away from'fixing' to supporting.
00:02:16.235 --> 00:02:30.395
Supporting loved ones in finding effective tools and strategies to address the triggers, barriers and other risk factors surrounding their diagnosis is vital.
00:02:32.210 --> 00:02:40.729
However, in seeing an individual's neurodivergence or eating disorder as a problem to be fixed is dehumanizing.
00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.500
A car with engine problems requires fixing.
00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:53.419
A person with a diagnosis needs support from those that care about them most.
00:02:54.759 --> 00:03:02.710
Learning about the diagnosis your loved one has received is essential in providing appropriate support.
00:03:04.030 --> 00:03:19.419
And it should be the responsibility of family members to find appropriate supports rather than expecting individuals with ASD, ADHD and EDs to fulfill the role of educator and advocate.
00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:30.439
Consistency of supports, especially the language used around the diagnosis is important.
00:03:31.610 --> 00:03:39.925
Family members should avoid using terminology that includes terms that are disparaging to individuals with diagnoses.
00:03:41.495 --> 00:03:50.870
Especially, words and terminology that have been used historically, but are now considered slurs.
00:03:52.189 --> 00:03:55.189
Assigning blame should also be avoided.
00:03:55.819 --> 00:04:09.830
Furthermore downplaying the severity of EDs by using phrases such as'They're just a fussy eater' undermines both the severity of the diagnosis and your loved one's experience.
00:04:10.830 --> 00:04:31.589
The experience of somebody with ASD or ADHD or an eating disorder is going to vary quite significantly from a family member supporting that individual.
00:04:33.105 --> 00:04:43.605
It is important to acknowledge and understand that whilst those experiences may be very different, they are both valid.
00:04:44.605 --> 00:04:53.754
Lastly, it is important that family members leave space for compassion towards their loved one and themselves.
00:04:54.894 --> 00:05:05.516
There is no rule book for the journey you are taking in supporting an individual with ASD, ADHD or EDs.
00:05:07.314 --> 00:05:16.314
Lead by example, model emotional regulation, and demonstrate your love through understanding.
00:05:17.365 --> 00:05:22.464
The Exceptional Humans Podcast is written and recorded on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara lands.
00:05:23.024 --> 00:05:31.214
We would like to pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.
