Autism Spectrum Disorder Archives | Plano Christian Counseling

Overcoming the Fear and Stigma of Unmasking Autism at Work

Overcoming the Fear and Stigma of Unmasking Autism at Work

Grace Mavindidze2026-01-23T10:54:56+00:00January 23rd, 2026|Autism Spectrum Disorder, Featured, Individual Counseling, Professional Development|

Do you ever feel like you’re working harder than everyone else just to keep up? Maybe you find yourself always forcing eye contact, rehearsing conversations, or holding back the things that help you feel comfortable, like fidgeting or taking breaks. This is the case with those who have autism. These habits feel natural to you by now, but they have always left you feeling drained, disconnected, or confused about why you have to work so hard to appear “normal.” For every functioning neurodivergent person, masking to suppress parts of their personality or behavior is much like wearing a social disguise to blend in. When we talk about unmasking autism, this means the very opposite, permitting yourself to let those habits go, step by step. It’s different for everyone, and there’s no set path or timeline, whether this means sharing your diagnosis with others gradually or simply letting go of behaviors that don’t feel natural in ways that feel safe and manageable. Is unmasking autism even necessary? Revealing details about your diagnosis is not something you have to do, but it’s a very personal choice. For some, letting go of the pretense comes as a huge relief and makes it easier to connect with their true selves. But for others, masking will always feel helpful in certain situations. Coming out of this mask or comfort zone needs to be done in a way that feels right for you. Whether you choose to unmask fully or only in certain situations, your goal should be to find a balance that supports both your well-being and your career. Masking autism often happens without you even noticing it, even if it’s just small, seemingly casual things like forcing yourself to maintain eye contact for longer than what feels comfortable or pretending to follow small [...]

Are There Different Types of Autism?

Brooke Turbyfill2025-03-27T09:48:43+00:00July 4th, 2024|Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

If you are not familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, you may also be unaware that psychologists no longer separate different types of autism. Because they share diagnosis characteristics, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and Rett’s syndrome are all under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many psychologists shorten it to simply autism. While the diagnosis may be autism, the way different types of autism are displayed still resonates. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder believed to have genetic components. To specify various aspects of autism in this article, we will distinguish between the classifiers as different types of autism, even though they are given one diagnosis, Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. At Plano Christian Counseling, we provide faith-based support and guidance for individuals and families navigating life with autism, helping them embrace their unique strengths and challenges with hope and understanding. Level 1 autism Once the term Asperger’s syndrome was terminated from the DSM in 2013, level 1 ASD replaced it. Another way you may have heard this is high-functioning autism. However, there is little agreement among experts as to what exactly qualifies as high functioning. A level 1 ASD diagnosis is assigned to a person who exhibits similar cognitive development to peers but struggles with social development and mild repetitive patterns. Someone with level 1 autism may struggle: To interact with peers. To broaden his or her interests (only interested in a few fields of study). To maintain certain physical gestures such as eye contact, coordination, and specific bodily and facial cues. To switch gears when changing from one activity to the next. To understand what non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, mean in a social context. With enjoying or seeking out typical social situations. The level 1 diagnosis signifies that a person can [...]

How to Recognize Signs of Autism in the Workplace and Provide Support

Sandra Stein2025-03-29T03:07:24+00:00May 17th, 2024|Autism Spectrum Disorder, Coaching, Featured, Professional Development|

Adults with high-functioning autism tend to be quite competent workers but require structure and routine at work. They also struggle with social and communication skills and have trouble fitting in. This article will discuss signs of autism in the workplace. People with autism can have excellent memories, outstanding mathematical and technical skills, and thrive in areas that require focus, precision, and attention to detail. The way their brains process information can be a great asset to the workplace when they are in the right position and receive the right support. At Plano Christian Counseling, we help individuals with autism and their families navigate career paths, relationships, and daily life with confidence, embracing their God-given abilities to thrive. Recognizing signs of autism in the workplace Repetitive behaviors Autistic people may use repetitive behaviors such as bouncing their leg, rocking back and forth, snapping their fingers, or repeatedly standing up and sitting back down as a way of self-soothing and coping with uncomfortable situations when stressed. Difficulty fitting in Social interactions are stressful for autistic people. They are uncomfortable making eye contact and have trouble following back-and-forth conversations or understanding and responding to nonverbal cues such as facial expressions or body language. Limited interests Autistic people are fixated on certain subjects and may have exceptional skills in certain areas, which they talk about at length, but have little or no interest in anything else. Struggle with teamwork Autistic people like to be in control of the tasks they are working on and are uncomfortable working in a team setting. They prefer to work on their own. Sensory challenges Extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, smells, or tactile sensations is common for autistic people. They may, for instance, find sounds overwhelming that others can barely hear or be distracted by the cycling of [...]

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