Reversing the negative spiral of stress

This presentation will explore the factors that influence the levels of stress experienced by autistic people, and how this can produce a negative worsening cycle, reflecting upon differing autistic dispositions and sensory experiences and how these interact with unforgiving social environments. Experiences of ‘meltdowns’, ‘shutdowns’, and system ‘overload’ will be discussed, and how to help reduce the factors that precipitate these. Attention will also be given to noticing the less obvious autistic manifestations of being distressed, such as those of more passive natured autistic people. Within this talk, the concepts of the ‘double empathy problem’ (Milton, 2012) will be explored with regard to the negative effects of mutual incomprehension and emotional disjuncture experienced in interactions with others, and how continuing high levels of stress and alienation can lead to mental ill-health. This presentation concludes by outlining some key points concerning what can be done to reverse the negative spiral of stress that can blight the lives of autistic people.