Join Dr. Regan for the third in this series on autism misdiagnosis. This episode focuses on the misdiagnosis of mood conditions for the autistic individual. Specifically bipolar disorder and depression are reviewed.   Exhaustion in Autism: Balancing Momentum for Daily Activities Recognizing Dysregulation on the Autism Spectrum: Fight, Flight, Freeze Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript here: 1 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:07,470 Hello, 2 00:00:07,470 --> 00:00:09,420 this is Dr Theresa Regan. 3 00:00:09,430 --> 00:00:15,040 I'm glad you're joining us for today's episode of autism in the adult podcast. 4 00:00:15,050 --> 00:00:25,570 I am a neuropsychologist and the director and founder of a diagnostic autism clinic for adolescents through aging adults in central Illinois. 5 00:00:25,580 --> 00:00:26,940 I am an author, 6 00:00:26,940 --> 00:00:30,600 your podcast host, and the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 7 00:00:31,550 --> 00:00:41,780 You are joining us for the third episode in our series on misdiagnosis for those on the spectrum, and, at a very basic level, 8 00:00:41,790 --> 00:01:02,980 the diagnosis of autism is something that helps us distinguish whether the core emotions and behavioral patterns we see for an individual are the result of their neurology or the result of learning, life experiences, or willful behavior... 9 00:01:02,990 --> 00:01:07,290 that "this is a decision for me to respond this way." 10 00:01:08,530 --> 00:01:15,470 This is a really important starting point to understand the basis for the patterns that we experience or express. 11 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:24,730 And this distinction helps us make good goals and use strategies that are most likely to help us reach the best outcomes for well being. 12 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:25,820 Now, 13 00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:35,170 of course it would be too simplistic to say that a behavioral pattern could be the result entirely of neurology or experience. 14 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:39,780 But because we often miss that neurology piece, 15 00:01:39,790 --> 00:01:42,280 I am highlighting it in this episode. 16 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:44,390 Now, 17 00:01:44,390 --> 00:02:02,060 one of the things that happens for individuals who receive mental health diagnoses is that there's never even a starting point in the diagnostic process where neurology is invited into consideration into the differential. 18 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:04,980 So the differential process is when we say, 19 00:02:04,990 --> 00:02:05,440 okay, 20 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:10,040 these features could be present and these five diagnoses. 21 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:18,090 Now we're going to do our detective work to figure out which diagnosis really matches this individual. 22 00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:21,170 If neurology is not in that process, 23 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:22,010 of course, 24 00:02:22,010 --> 00:02:23,420 we're not going to find it, 25 00:02:23,430 --> 00:02:24,710 we're not looking for it, 26 00:02:24,710 --> 00:02:26,140 we're not looking at it. 27 00:02:28,140 --> 00:02:35,880 The assumption is that the experience of the individual stems from their life experience from their choices. 28 00:02:35,890 --> 00:02:43,440 Uh and that putting diagnoses into two categories of neurologic versus experiential. 29 00:02:43,450 --> 00:02:46,660 Um although it's not that simple, 30 00:02:46,670 --> 00:02:50,470 it is a starting point for the beginning framework. 31 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:50,840 So, 32 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:58,750 I want to raise this idea of neurology being c