This session explores why autistic children and young people experience higher rates of mental health difficulties and why these are frequently misunderstood or misattributed. It examines the impact of environment, unmet needs, sensory processing, and invalidation on emotional wellbeing, distress, and long-term outcomes.

The participant will be able to:

1. Identify common mental health challenges experienced by autistic young people, including anxiety, trauma, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
2. Assess how sensory processing differences, unmet needs, masking, and environmental factors contribute to mental health risk.
3. Apply neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed strategies to support emotional wellbeing, safety, and engagement in autistic young people.
4.  

• Introduction, Trainers, and Ground Rules: 8 minutes (session format, Loren and Perseus backgrounds, ground rules, course introduction)
• Why Mental Health Matters: 5 minutes (statistics, barriers to support, autistic young people’s journey)

• Sensory Differences and Self Awareness: 13 minutes (sensory impact, Interoception and emotional understanding)

• Window of Tolerance and Overload: 6 minutes (meltdowns, shutdowns, fawning responses)

• Behaviors That Harm: 7 minutes (proprioception, reasons behind behaviors)

• Self-Harm & Suicide: 24 minutes (statistics, risk factors, supporting safely)

• Anxiety & Anxiety Disorders: 16 minutes (anxiety, OCD, emetophobia, Demand Avoidance)
• Trauma & PTSD: 10 minutes (lowercase-t trauma, PTSD risk, rejection sensitivity)
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• Misdiagnosis & Eating Disorders: 9 minutes (EUPD, eating disorders, psychosis)
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• Practical Support Strategies: 10 minutes (one-page profiles, sensory audits, communication)
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• Resources & Signposting: 4 minutes (advocacy, and support services)

TOTAL: 1 hour 52 minutes.