INTENSIVE OT PROGRAM FOR LATE DISCOVERED ADULTS
Who is THE INTENSIVE program SUITABLE for?
Adults that identify as autistic and/or ADHD or with traits of, who experience long-term difficulties with:
- self-Identity, feeling unsure about who you are, what you want or need
- chronic feelings of overwhelm and stress
- feeling "stuck in your head," disconnected from your body
- advocating for what you need, establishing healthy boundaries and relationships
- sustaining focus and creating order to manage everyday life demands such as study, work, household, despite being intelligent, and often capable in other areas of your life
- feeling stuck, unable to move forward and make your life "happen", struggling with life's transitional stages.
For individuals open to learning a different way, willing & able to engage collaboratively, commit to an intensive gentle program
Programs are gentle in format, intensive in time commitment, are paced and tailored to your needs, respecting your preferences. We all learn best when we are supported to in ways that align with our natural strengths. As a late discovered person, you may have a history of overwhelm and self-doubt, have had therapies that were not a match to your learning needs as a neurodivergent person. The aim is to gently, safely and sustainably build self-trust as a late-discovered person, to better equip you to cause wanted change, to manage life's ups and downs, and lean into your unique strengths
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?
With an holistic approach that works with, not against, the needs and preferences of visual and hands on- learners, the aim of the Intensive Program is to provide a framework for self-understanding, improved clarity of thinking, and practical realistic strategies that support you to participate more intentionally in your life.
The program content includes one - to - one, tailored education and strategies including:
- simple self-regulation tools, to help with focus, respond to your emotions and energy. Through experiencing the benefits of co-regulation, practice of the tools together as we need them, you will build capacity for tuning in and responding to your body's needs in your everyday life
- building executive functioning skills via gentle, hands on learning, with activities and strategies tailored to your preferences and needs
- realistic activity pacing, avoiding and managing burnout
- understanding, meeting your sensory needs
- organising spaces and tasks
How can the program help ME?
- improved understanding of your sensory needs and how to meet them
- have practiced simple, accessible self-regulation strategies
- improved understanding of autistic / ADHD burnout, and realistic pacing strategies
- stronger sense of knowing who you are, what you want, and do not want, greater self-trust
- improved executive functioning for organising and managing life's every day demands: sustaining focus, planning, problem solving, sequencing of tasks
- reduced feelings of overwhelm, improved ability to use tools to regulate emotions & energy
- greater cognitive flexibility to cope with, adapt to and initiate change, to reduce long-held negative patterns in daily life
- improved capacity to understand, form and maintain relationships, advocate for your needs
What DOES THE INTENSIVE PROGRAM INVOLVE?
- Meaningful change from inside out, takes time, support and commitment
- Programs are gentle, structured, and progress at your pace and capacity
- We work alongside each other one to one, typically one day a week over a full day 10am - 3pm or half day from 1030am - 130pm
- Program completion typically takes between 100- 120 hours (approx 20-24 full days)
- Sessions held in peaceful SWell Centre, Hawthorn, Melbourne
Telehealth option for regional / interstate clients can be discussed on a case by case basis
WHAT OUR WORK TOGETHER IS NOT
Trying to make you meet neurotypical expectations, or fix you, you are not broken. Our work together is for you, to develop your authentic self, in a safe, non-judgemental space, that meets you as you are. I welcome fidgeting, stimming, reduced/ no eye contact, reduced/no chit-chat, shoes off, low light, snacking, adjust heating and cooling to your preferences. etc.
Quick fix unsustainable strategies: meaningful change from inside out, takes time, support and commitment.
The intensive approach takes time as it is about gently, safely and sustainably building self-trust as a late-discovered person who may have a history of overwhelm and self-doubt, have had therapies that were not a match to your learning needs as a neurodivergent person