TISM-Trauma Informed Support Model
Providing professionals with insights into why trauma occurs in neurodivergent individuals and their families, offering best practice guidelines aimed at repair.
Bout the TISM
Many models for working with neurodivergent people are behaviour based. It’s not surprising when we consider most of the traits for developmental disorders are explained by the persons perceived behaviours. Ex: ‘Doesn’t sit still’, ‘doesn’t follow instructions’, ‘struggles to stay organized,’….. Clearly governing bodies put the emphasis is put on behaviour, both in terms of what is considered to be a disorder and how those disorders are then treated
When a person is heavily scrutinized for ‘correct’ behaviours, rather than connected with as a person who is okay just as they are, they will grow understand that their value is dependant on living up to the expectations of others. Overtime they will become what I call ‘other referencing’, constantly looking to others for clues of what they should do, think or feel. Many people who are other referencing have an extremely diminished sense of self.
A break down in empathy
Not only does this mean the person struggles to know how they are feeling, this can disrupt empathy which is reliant on us connecting with our own feelings. Empathy is the idea that I can imagine what you are feeling because I know how I would feel in that situation, but if I can’t connect with how I would feel then that crucial ingredient for empathy would be lost. – The lack of empathy is often seen as a part of our disorder.
Emotional dysregulation
People who are other referencing will struggle to tell others what they need or feel permission to get their needs met. Understandably, this fosters feelings of anxiety and resentment. – This is often then seen as part of the disorder rather than as a response to unfair treatment.
Poor physical health
As well, spending too much time in a state of hyper arousal effects physical health too. If you’ve ever had an experience where you were working really hard for a stetch of time and you finally took a break only to come down with a cold or flu… that is the nervous system collapsing after a stretch of too much stress. Imagine living with too much stress for decades. Did you know that autistic people have a life expectancy that is about ten years less than the average person and a common cause of death within our community is heart disease. I don’t believe it has to be like this, but thinking and priorities need to shift.
Why the TISM?
My goal as a parent has been to raise two children who feel entitled to name their feelings and advocate for getting their needs met. I would argue this is by far the most important life skill anyone can have, but for parents of children with different processing styles this crucial goal is often not supported by the professionals in their lives. When I was starting my PhD research my son was the victim of terrible medical negligence that was based on discriminatory ideas about autistic people. Because these events coincided with the beginning of my PhD I ended up altering my research to look at how professionals could work in a way that was less likely to do harm to the individuals they were meant to serve.
The TISM is all about being, Trauma Informed, – aware of the trauma that is suffered due to not being listened to by people in positions of power in our life and Supporting individuals to trust and tune into themselves. A sense of self isn’t something one person can give to another; it is something everyone cultivates for themselves, and professionals simply have the duty to let them and listen to them when they seek to get their needs met.
In this course, I explore why autistic individuals are more susceptible to Complex trauma and how we can work to prevent harm. I recommend a little more than an hour per lesson.
Lessons include:
- A brief video of me relating my thoughts to the lesson.
- Relevant reading and theory to support the main concept.
- A case study to offer an example of trauma or healing can occur.
- A thought exercise or habit breaker to internalize the main ideas.
- A quiz to test comprehension.
Autism & C-PTSD connection
Understand the stereotype surrounding autism today
In part 1 we take a critical look at the current stereotypes most often held around autism, why these are damaging to autistic people and how else we might understand what is considered autistic traits.
Learn the TISM best practice guidelines
Part 2 offers a set of structured best practice guidelines for how the professional can support healthy development and healing for autistic people.
Support anyone to become more self-referencing
In Part 3 we talk about concepts like 'individuation' and 'ethical bravery', something practitioners need to practice in order to support neurodivergent people finding and asserting their voice in a world often not made for them.
What Folks Are saying about katherine
Kate is an engaging speaker and very good at describing the many nuances of Autism. Her perceptions can impart needed understanding and improve our ability to serve others.
I am an autistic mum and the parent to a child with autism. I heard Kate speak at the autism show and this was the first time I heard another person who really understood how long term shame causes us to feel. This should be required for anyone who will work with autistic people.
I went to Katherine’s first Autism & C-PTSD show and found everything she said really resonated. She truly understood the experience our young people are having in schools these days. Anyone who wants to understand what neurodivergent people have to grapple with need this course.
I am an autistic mum and the parent to a child with autism. I heard Kate speak at the autism show and this was the first time I heard another person who really understood how long term shame causes us to feel. This should be required for anyone who will work with autistic people.
FAQs
I charge for this information because it’s my passion, and I need to devote significant time to it. If I didn’t charge, I couldn’t dedicate the hours required to create valuable content. I firmly believe in encouraging people to earn a living doing what they love because it enhances the quality of their work.
I often think of the movie ‘Clerks’ from 1994, where the shop assistant’s lack of passion for his job is evident. It’s crucial that professionals in fields related to human connection genuinely love their work. While I don’t have a dedicated tech team, I invest in web design, maintenance, hosting, and put in around 80 hours per week on various tasks like writing, editing, and marketing.
I’ve valued the course at £95.00, considering various factors like similar courses in the market and the fact that it’s my first online course, created independently. Rather than requiring people to request concessions, I’ve adopted the honour system.
You’ll find payment choices starting at £50, £70, and £90 at checkout. My philosophy is that we’re all adults, and those who need an adjustment shouldn’t face unnecessary hurdles. While I appreciate those who can pay the full rate, I fully understand and support those who need a concession – I’ve been there too.
I currently don’t have capacity for more therapy clients. I do offer supervision for psychotherapists.
I charge for this information because it’s my passion, and I need to devote significant time to it. If I didn’t charge, I couldn’t dedicate the hours required to create valuable content. I firmly believe in encouraging people to earn a living doing what they love because it enhances the quality of their work.
I often think of the movie ‘Clerks’ from 1994, where the shop assistant’s lack of passion for his job is evident. It’s crucial that professionals in fields related to human connection genuinely love their work. While I don’t have a dedicated tech team, I invest in web design, maintenance, hosting, and put in around 80 hours per week on various tasks like writing, editing, and marketing.
I’ve valued the course at £95.00, considering various factors like similar courses in the market and the fact that it’s my first online course, created independently. Rather than requiring people to request concessions, I’ve adopted the honour system.
You’ll find payment choices starting at £50, £70, and £90 at checkout. My philosophy is that we’re all adults, and those who need an adjustment shouldn’t face unnecessary hurdles. While I appreciate those who can pay the full rate, I fully understand and support those who need a concession – I’ve been there too.
I currently don’t have capacity for more therapy clients. I do offer supervision for psychotherapist.
Yes, I am autistic. It’s essential to note that autism manifests differently in individuals, even among those with high support needs. I’ve witnessed children go from being non-verbal in primary school to becoming articulate in high school and people transitioning from needing constant support to living independently. My early experiences working with other autistic individuals at the age of 12 showed me that there’s a shared understanding among us, regardless of our unique presentations. We may have sensory sensitivities and face challenges, but we also share moments of delight and discomfort.
Society sometimes expects autistic individuals to struggle constantly to be ‘authentic.’ However, just like not everyone who needs glasses wears them all the time, our needs and experiences can vary. I believe that by listening to someone with an inside understanding of the autistic experience, we can gain a better understanding and work towards making improvements.
Not at all. I market to professionals because I feel it’s most needed as an addendum to training, and parents tend to attune to their children. In other words they get trained directly by the children. But… Parents and careers might appreciate some of the theory behind the experiences. I also find as a parent just having a psych ed framework helps me to feel grounded when life get’s complicated.
Yes, I am autistic. It’s essential to note that autism manifests differently in individuals, even among those with high support needs. I’ve witnessed children go from being non-verbal in primary school to becoming articulate in high school and people transitioning from needing constant support to living independently. My early experiences working with other autistic individuals at the age of 12 showed me that there’s a shared understanding among us, regardless of our unique presentations. We may have sensory sensitivities and face challenges, but we also share moments of delight and discomfort.
Society sometimes expects autistic individuals to struggle constantly to be ‘authentic.’ However, just like not everyone who needs glasses wears them all the time, our needs and experiences can vary. I believe that by listening to someone with an inside understanding of the autistic experience, we can gain a better understanding and work towards making improvements.
Not at all. I market to professionals because I feel it’s most needed as an addendum to training, and parents tend to attune to their children. In other words they get trained directly by the children. But… Parents and careers might appreciate some of the theory behind the experiences. I also find as a parent just having a psych ed framework helps me to feel grounded when life get’s complicated.