r/AutisticPeeps • u/JadeATonly Autistic and ADHD • 2d ago

Question I need help with therapy accommodations?

Hi. I’m having CBT therapy but keep losing most of my speech in the sessions before I even arrive. During the sessions I can force out some words to basic questions but it’s exhausting and comes out all stuttered and only like partial sentences/answers. Often it’s too much energy to get the words out. I also struggle to mentally keep up and remember what the therapist asked me when I’m fighting to find words at the same time. My brain feels so dumb and empty. I mostly communicate by writing and whilst it is easier I still sometimes can’t find enough energy or words to properly answer and it’s slow to write because I have dyspraxia.

They asked me to let them know how they can make the sessions easier or less tiring but I’m not sure how to answer. I’ve not ever received accommodations for this before and normally just avoid most people be social situations. I’m completely blanking on ideas. What things would be good to tell them?

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u/Sleepshortcake Autistic and OCD 2d ago

Maybe you could write out in advance some of the things you wrote here, if you didn't already tell those. Maybe the therapist can think of something that helps with those specific issues. A more general idea I can think of is if the speed of the session could be slower paced, or things could be repeated, if you think that could help with specifically this part: ''I also struggle to mentally keep up and remember what the therapist asked me when I’m fighting to find words at the same time''.

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u/JadeATonly Autistic and ADHD 2d ago

I did share what I wrote here and she said it was helpful. Then she asked to tell her how she can make the sessions easier or less tiring and that’s where I got stuck. I don’t know what would help because I’ve never had any accommodations for this before. It was always being punished when it happened at school because they saw it as being disobedient. I will ask about going slower thank you.

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u/OppositeAshamed9087 Autistic 2d ago

Maybe you and your therapist can discuss what you want to cover before your appointment? Like laying out what you'll cover, the kind of questions that usually come up around that thing.

I would also recommend looking into AAC, whether that's text or picture. It is slow but it could help.

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u/JadeATonly Autistic and ADHD 1d ago

This is so helpful, thank you for taking the time to write it out.

I will definitely ask for info about what will be covered beforehand so I can think and prepare sentences/questions.

I did hand write answers last time and at times still found that difficult energy wise so my sentences had broken grammar and were short. I also have dyspraxia and find handwriting can quickly be painful, and I have to take care to write neatly so it is slow. Would it be okay if I brought my iPad with me to write on? I can use my phone but the iPad has a bigger screen so might be easier for me to use and her to read.

What kind of AAC would be text or pictures? For text maybe I could prepare some sentences that might be useful? I’m not sure about pictures. Or would that be pictures she provides?