Autism awareness is at an all-time high, widely discussed by the medical community, media outlets, concerned parents, and society in general. While it may appear that the condition is more widespread today than it ever was, the increase in diagnoses is more likely due to the better understanding of autism and its signs and symptoms. Modern advancements have made it much easier to identify invisible neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism. However, that doesn’t make it any easier to live with.
At Summer Counseling, we provide support for children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum in the Oakdale, Minnesota, region. If you were recently diagnosed, autism therapy can give you a safe space to talk it through with someone who understands. If you’ve been struggling to thrive in a neurotypical world, therapy can support you. Our therapists focus on building communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and meaningful connections without forcing conformity or masking behavior.
A Neurodivergence-Affirming Approach to Understanding Autism
“Autism” is often used as a catch-all term referring to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which covers a spectrum of symptoms ranging in severity. The condition is characterized by communication and social difficulties, obsessive or repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. Four distinct diagnoses exist under the ASD umbrella, depending on the specific challenges an individual experiences. A child can exhibit enough signs of autism to be diagnosed as young as two years old. It's also not uncommon for adults to seek a diagnosis if they notice symptoms in themselves or their children.
While neurodevelopmental disorders like autism can legally be categorized as a disability, many prefer to define it as a “difference.” Autistic individuals experience and interact with the world in unique ways, but that doesn’t make their experience any less valid. At Summer Counseling, we don’t view autism through a deficit lens—instead, we work with each client’s strengths and support areas of challenge with empathy. Therapy is always tailored to match each person's goals, sensory needs, and communication style.
When to Speak to an Autism Therapist
Autism can make it difficult for a person to interact socially, both verbally and nonverbally. Trouble making eye contact or involuntary noises can cause problems at home, at school, or with peers. Autism can make it difficult to make or maintain friendships. When a person with autism matures, it can be harder for them to have intimate relationships. They may also develop repetitive, obsessive, or ritualistic behaviors that interfere with their daily life.
A licensed clinician can assist adults during these struggles and provide autistic children with strategies to manage the symptoms. Many adults come to therapy seeking support with burnout, masking, sensory regulation, or late-in-life diagnosis processing. Whatever your situation, we recommend speaking with an autism therapist if you or your child has been diagnosed with ASD and wants help with:
- Developing basic or complex social or communication skills
- Rigid rules and routines
- Social Isolation
- Repetitive or obsessive behavior
- Developing a deeper understanding of empathy
- Managing 'masking'
- Sensory processing concerns
If you're concerned your child may be exhibiting signs of autism, a pediatrician, licensed child neurologist, or psychologist can assess and evaluate your child. A diagnosis can help your child find solutions to symptoms that are interfering with their daily life, as therapy and some medications are available to provide relief. A licensed therapist can also address compulsions or anxiety, which are common comorbid conditions.
Support for Neurodivergent Individuals in Oakdale, MN
If you’re keen on exploring an autism diagnosis further and arming yourself with tools to make the most of your skills now and in the future, Summer Counseling has your back. Schedule a consultation with a neurodivergent-affirming therapist today! Our providers who are familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorder include:
Start with a meeting at our office in Oakdale, and we’ll take it from there. Autism therapy is available in person or virtually for neurodivergent individuals and their families.