Presenter: Dr. Laura Weldon, MS, ND

Original Date: December 6, 2020

One in every 59 Americans is autistic and evidence shows that a great many more adults, particularly women and gender non-conforming patients, are misdiagnosed and/or undiagnosed. Whether or not physicians recognize it or specialize in working with autistic patients, they are very likely already in our offices. There are many myths both in culture and medicine about what it means to be autistic and how best to serve this patient population. Mainstream medicine has little to offer these patients, as the pathology paradigm deems it impossible to be both autistic and well. Autistic patients are underserved in basic health needs, provider understanding, and in the treatment of frequently co-occurring conditions such as migraines, seizures, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, hypermobility, dysautonomias, and mental health conditions. Suicide rates for autistic people are estimated 10x higher and lack of acceptance and understanding is one of the primary cited causes.

My presentation will not focus on pharmaceuticals, but I will briefly discuss avoiding benzodiazepines and the potential use of clonidine, guanfacine, and lamotrigine in appropriate cases.

2.0 Cultural Competency CEUs approved by OBNM