The Forgotten Women

Autism

A Better Way to Help Adults With Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on October 8, 2024

Autistic adults have been shown to struggle with depression, anxiety, and cooccurring posttraumatic stress disorder. Let's discuss a new treatment model.

Autistic adults have been shown to struggle with depression, anxiety, and cooccurring posttraumatic stress disorder. Let's discuss a new treatment model.

Autism

Why Self-Advocacy Is Essential for Autistic Adults

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on September 17, 2024

Autistic meltdown can be debilitating for autistic adults. Learn how self-advocacy and self-acceptance can help prevent autistic meltdown.

Autistic meltdown can be debilitating for autistic adults. Learn how self-advocacy and self-acceptance can help prevent autistic meltdown.

Autism

Living an Authentic Autistic Life Can Be Wonderful

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on September 2, 2024

Personal Perspective: There is power in being authentically autistic.

Personal Perspective: There is power in being authentically autistic.

Autism

The Autistic Employment Conundrum

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on June 12, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Many of the tasks associated with finding and maintaining employment can be impossible for autistic people.

A Personal Perspective: Many of the tasks associated with finding and maintaining employment can be impossible for autistic people.

Autism

An Autistic Perspective on "The Atlas of the Heart"

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on May 6, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Genuine human connection can seem like a foreign concept to many autistic adults. Real autism acceptance could change this.

A Personal Perspective: Genuine human connection can seem like a foreign concept to many autistic adults. Real autism acceptance could change this.

Autism

What Is It Like to Be an Autistic Mother?

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on March 27, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Although moms of autistic kids and their hardships often take the spotlight, the experiences of autistic mothers are also important.

A Personal Perspective: Although moms of autistic kids and their hardships often take the spotlight, the experiences of autistic mothers are also important.

Autism

The Tragic Truth About Sexual Abuse and Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on March 26, 2024

A Personal Perspective: The majority of autistic women describe having some history of sexual abuse. We should begin looking at how we can stop this alarming trend.

A Personal Perspective: The majority of autistic women describe having some history of sexual abuse. We should begin looking at how we can stop this alarming trend.

Autism

Why Suicide Is All Too Common Among Autistic Adults

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on March 3, 2024

Suicide rates are extremely high among autistic adults. Reevaluating the way workplaces, families, and friends relate to the support needs of autistic adults might be the answer.

Suicide rates are extremely high among autistic adults. Reevaluating the way workplaces, families, and friends relate to the support needs of autistic adults might be the answer.

Autism

Communities Built on Neurodiversity Shine

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on January 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: Communities with high autism rates like Silicon Valley and Huntsville, Alabama are taking the lead in technological and artistic innovation.

Personal Perspective: Communities with high autism rates like Silicon Valley and Huntsville, Alabama are taking the lead in technological and artistic innovation.

Autism

The Power of Group and Belonging for Autistic Adults

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on December 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: How peer-led support groups can offer a safe place for autistic adults to be themselves, unmask, and discover their authentic selves.

A Personal Perspective: How peer-led support groups can offer a safe place for autistic adults to be themselves, unmask, and discover their authentic selves.

Autism

Love Is a Battlefield for People With Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on October 28, 2023

Some adults with autism have histories of trauma and intimate partner violence. Working towards building community resources to reduce this matters.

Some adults with autism have histories of trauma and intimate partner violence. Working towards building community resources to reduce this matters.

Autism

Why Unmasking Is Critical for Autistic People

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on September 17, 2023

Many autistic people are taught to hide their autistic traits so they can be accepted by society. This act, called masking, can cause many mental health struggles.

Many autistic people are taught to hide their autistic traits so they can be accepted by society. This act, called masking, can cause many mental health struggles.

Autism

What It's Like to Live With Alexithymia

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on August 2, 2023

People with alexithymia have difficulty understanding and expressing their emotions. This can make it difficult to communicate with others, form relationships, or cope with stress.

People with alexithymia have difficulty understanding and expressing their emotions. This can make it difficult to communicate with others, form relationships, or cope with stress.

Autism

What Is an Autistic Meltdown?

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on July 20, 2023

An autistic meltdown is an intense response to overwhelming sensory or emotional stimuli. Understanding them is vital for autistic people and their loved ones.

An autistic meltdown is an intense response to overwhelming sensory or emotional stimuli. Understanding them is vital for autistic people and their loved ones.

Autism

What to Do if an Adult You Love Is Diagnosed With Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on July 10, 2023

As more adults are being diagnosed with autism, it is important to know how to support loved ones who are diagnosed later in life.

As more adults are being diagnosed with autism, it is important to know how to support loved ones who are diagnosed later in life.

Autism

Is Autism a Superpower?

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on July 6, 2023

Although autism can be a superpower, the truth is that autism is amazingly complex, and that autistic people are neither inferior nor superior to alltistics.

Although autism can be a superpower, the truth is that autism is amazingly complex, and that autistic people are neither inferior nor superior to alltistics.

Autism

The Beauty of Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on June 18, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Especially in environments where masking isn't necessary, being an autistic adult can be wonderful.

A Personal Perspective: Especially in environments where masking isn't necessary, being an autistic adult can be wonderful.

Autism

What We Can Learn From Autistic Entrepreneurs

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on May 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The beauty of adults with autism.

A Personal Perspective: The beauty of adults with autism.

Autism

Why an Autism Diagnosis in Adults Matters

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on May 21, 2023

Adults with Undiagnosed autism struggle with relationships, employment, and mental health. Getting an official diagnosis can help improve quality of life.

Adults with Undiagnosed autism struggle with relationships, employment, and mental health. Getting an official diagnosis can help improve quality of life.

Autism

The Reality of Adults With Autism

Jessica L Penot LPC-S on April 21, 2023

Personal Perspective: Social and communication deficits often lead adults with autism to have chains of unhealthy and abusive friendships and relationships.

Personal Perspective: Social and communication deficits often lead adults with autism to have chains of unhealthy and abusive friendships and relationships.