A neuroaffirming stance is central to my work:

• Autism is a valid neurotype

• Autistic people are experts in their own experience

• Self‑identification is fully respected

• Therapy focuses on reducing distress, not ‘fixing’ autism.

• Strengths such as honesty, deep focus, creativity, fairness and specialist interests are actively supported.

This approach is essential for safety, trust and therapeutic engagement. DIT with autistic clients requires a stance of curiosity, humility and shared meaning‑making.

DIT is a relational, insight‑oriented model. To offer it safely and effectively to autistic clients, I integrate key neuroaffirming concepts:

Monotropism

Autistic attention is often deep, immersive and focused. This can shape:

• difficulty switching tasks

• overwhelm during interruptions

• sensory overload

• burnout

• the stabilising role of special interests

Monotropism reframes autistic cognition as focused rather than restricted, and helps us understand why certain relational or sensory environments feel overwhelming.

Double and Triple Empathy Problem

Relational difficulties are bidirectional, not located within the autistic person. Therapy must actively bridge differences in:

• communication

• sensory experience

• meaning‑making

• emotional expression

This reduces epistemic injustice and supports mutual understanding.

Spiky Profiles

Autistic people often show high ability in some areas and difficulty in others. This affects:

• working memory

• processing speed

• emotional language

• executive functioning

Understanding this helps tailor pacing, communication and expectations.

Masking, Burnout, Shutdown and Meltdown

These are relational and sensory phenomena. Therapy helps clients understand these patterns and triggers, and reduce the cost of masking.

I consider:

• sensory sensitivities

• stimming

• burnout

• alexithymia

• demand avoidance

• meltdown/shutdown patterns

I often provide:

• email written information throughout therapy so clients have time to process details at their own pace

• clear explanations of the therapy structure

• predictable pacing

• flexibility around outcome measures

• adjustments to eye contact, silence and session rhythm

These adaptations help clients stay within their window of tolerance.

DIT centres on identifying a core relational pattern. For autistic clients:

• IPAFs may take longer to negotiate

• meaning must be co‑created

• autism must be included as a developmental and relational factor

• masking, demand avoidance, shutdown and withdrawal may function as defences or coping strategies

• intellectualisation may be processing, not avoidance

• loneliness may be a reality, not a symptom

Sometimes the entire therapy is the process of discovering the IPAF together.

This approach is particularly helpful for autistic adults experiencing:

• burnout

• masking exhaustion

• chronic stress

• depression or anxiety

• relational confusion

• identity questions

• late diagnosis

• workplace overwhelm

• sensory overload

• emotional dysregulation

• loneliness or alienation