Moderators: Greg Yates, AASCEND and Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD, Stanford Neurodiversity Project
Learning Objectives:
Identify varieties and causes of anxiety in neurodivergent as compared with neurotypical populations.
Detail strategies to cope with anxiety, their advantages and disadvantages, and how their effectiveness is measured.
Learn the elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as it is applied therapeutically and how CBT affects the lived experience of neurodivergent persons.
Valerie Gaus, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Gaus is a psychologist, licensed by New York State, who has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1994. She specializes in individual psychotherapy for adults of all ages, from 18-98, with extensive experience serving people with disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma and stress-related problems. She approaches therapy using a cognitive-behavioral framework. She has written numerous articles, chapters and books on these subjects, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2nd Edition, published in 2018 by Guilford Press and Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, published in 2011 by Guilford Press.
David Elsner
Coinciding with my mom's diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, at the age of 2 I was diagnosed with PDDNOS, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Through intensive early intervention I developed from a child with delayed speech and other delayed milestones to who I am now. Verbal abilities are my strength as well as self advocacy and advocacy for those of us stigmatized by society for being "different." Throughout my younger years particularly in middle and the beginning of high school, I was bullied. I was viewed as different with few friends. Eventually, I had the courage to stand up and empower myself. Being on the spectrum and having OCD has been exceptionally difficult at times however; I continue to persevere and am looking forward to sharing with you my life struggles from disability to ability.