Doctors and therapists have been a part of my life since I was diagnosed with autism 25 years ago. I’ve been on all sorts of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. I have seen countless therapists who are recovering from PTSD, social anxiety, and addiction.
Despite being open-minded, when I was offered a course of hypnotherapy, I didn’t take it lightly. I wanted to figure out the process, so I went straight to “Dr. Google.”
If you’re reading this page, you’re probably wondering if this is the right treatment for your child. You may have the same image as me, of a strangely dressed showman trying to coax the audience into doing strange things. Scary, right?
I can assure you, it’s nothing like what you see on TV. This practice is completely safe and a good hypnotherapist will be happy to address your concerns and explain how it works. It’s important to let go of those preconceptions and think of it like any other treatment you’ve tried.
Hypnosis has been widely used for decades to help people overcome addictive behaviors, anxiety, and depression. These are all problems that people on the autism spectrum are more prone to, and there is growing evidence that hypnotherapy may be particularly useful for us.
Antidepressants, such as SSRIs and MAOIs, are commonly prescribed to children with ASD, but their effectiveness has been found to be lower than in non-autistic children (2021). This leads us to explore alternative non-pharmaceutical treatments in the hope that they will be more effective.
How does hypnotherapy help with autism?
It is important to understand that autism is not a curable disease. It’s just a different way of thinking. You will find that your child has many wonderful qualities that should be admired and nurtured. Seeing a hypnotherapist will not fundamentally change your child’s personality. Of course, that won’t free them from her ASD, nor will it solve all their problems overnight.
The goal is to give patients tools to overcome negative emotions commonly experienced by people with autism, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, and phobias. This is where a hypnotherapist can help.
A good therapist treats you as an individual. Your child is more than just a collection of symptoms. Adults and children on the autism spectrum are not all the same. This is why hypnotherapy is suitable for us. Janet Dowling, a National Autism Society-recommended hypnotherapy expert, explains that therapy sessions are tailored to the individual’s needs and can vary from week to week.
Dowling says Autism Parenting Magazine: “I find out what difficulties and challenges the person wants to overcome and whether they want to live calmer, happier and more confidently. Ask them what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and who they like to spend their time with. Focusing on the positives and existing strengths can help you build on them. ”
What happens during autism hypnosis?
Don’t panic; your child won’t be in a trance for more than an hour. An important part of therapy is giving clients increased self-awareness and knowledge about how the brain works. By learning behavioral techniques that you can practice at home, you may be able to overcome challenges that held you back in the past.
conversation
Dowling’s sessions typically begin with a conversation with the client, thinking about what they hope to get out of the clinic. They will continue to explore different breathing techniques, mental distractions, grounding, and other exercises. She then puts the client into an induced hypnosis state. This allows your mind to process the material covered in the session.
“I always start by asking, ‘What was good about your week?’ This engages the prefrontal cortex. Then I establish what they want to focus on. That’s… They range from how to avoid rejection, how to stop negative thoughts, how to be able to try new things, how to get more sleep, etc.,” she explains.
The goal, “Photos of positive behavior”. Many people with autism have the ability to think in pictures. This is why hypnosis can be an effective treatment for autism. “I ask a lot of details like time, place, who with whom, and for how long so that kids can build really vivid images in their imaginations.”
fight or flight
Dowling shows clients a physical model of the brain and uses metaphors to help them understand why they feel certain emotions. She describes the “fight-or-flight” response by referring to the rational prefrontal cortex as the “boss” and the primitive amygdala as the “guard.”
“We will talk about when a security guard is in command when they don’t need to be. We will note the moments when the boss reacts. In future sessions, we will practice how to calm the security guard down. “By doing this, we focus on training the boss’s brain to become more responsible,” she added.
Neurotypical adults also experience a “fight-or-flight” response when they become anxious, but this response is more easily triggered in people with autism. Imagine having to give a presentation and being unprepared. My heart is pounding, my head is blank, and my stomach is tense.
In children and adults with autism, this response can be triggered at much lower levels. It might be when their favorite food isn’t available at the grocery store or when their school day is interrupted by a fire alarm. It may seem like a small thing to a neurotypical person, but an anxious brain perceives it as a threat.
Woods (2017) explains how slow diaphragmatic breathing calms the amygdala enough that the prefrontal cortex can regain control. By training your mind with these simple techniques, you may be able to function better in social situations and elsewhere that previously caused you anxiety.
Sugarman (2013) developed a treatment that uses computerized biofeedback and clinical hypnosis to modify behavior. By turning down the fight-or-flight response, he says, people with ASD can “become more socially engaged, reduce cognitive rigidity and the desire for repetitive behaviors, and, importantly, feel better.” It says that there is a sex.
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What happens during the “hypnosis” portion of the session?
Kohen (2013b) states that the goal of hypnosis is to change thought patterns so that the patient enters a deeply relaxed state in which they are most receptive to change. The brain is more susceptible to suggestion when it is in a relaxed state.
Dowling explains: “We go into a hypnotic state many times a day, and that’s when we daydream. In therapy, the trance state focuses on the positive things, rather than the negative loops the client is stuck in. Make sure.
“In a nice, positive hypnotic state, we can mentally process what is being said and explore other possibilities further.”
What should I do if my child can’t relax?
Few things fill me with more dread than being told to sit still. At school, I was often told, “Don’t fidget and be careful!” Even as adults, the more we focus on our need for calm, the more nervous we become.
The bottom line is that for many people with ASD, it is very difficult to follow commands and relax. However, there is a big plus for us…
Many children with autism have an amazing ability to immerse themselves in their special interests. Without realizing it, we find ourselves completely relaxed. That’s why it’s so important to let them do whatever they enjoy and that makes them feel relaxed.
“Children are free to tinker with things, doodle, and even close their eyes if they want,” Dowling says. “Hypnotherapy can be very beneficial for autistic people because it focuses on their strengths.”
What if my child is not hypnotized?
One therapist wrote that a quarter of his clients were incapable of being hypnotized (Spiegel, 2012). For some people, it is only effective when used in conjunction with another type of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. This applies to people in general, not specifically her ASD patients, but figuring out how to train them takes a little imagination and effort.
I remember being very strong-willed as a child. There is nothing on earth that would make me if I was asked to do something I didn’t like. As with other forms of behavioral therapy, it is more effective if the client is committed to changing. Therapists tend to notice the greatest improvement when the person really wants the results.
Make your child feel involved in decisions every step of the way and don’t ignore their concerns. Woods (2017) emphasizes that it is very important that the child is fully participating while being hypnotized. If you think your parents are forcing it on you, you may have a hard time.
Is there anyone who should not be hypnotized?
Hypnosis is not recommended for people with mental illness. If your child is being treated by a psychiatrist, you must let the psychiatrist know before undergoing hypnotherapy to ensure that the treatment is safe and appropriate. .
summary
Hypnotherapy is generally a safe and effective treatment, but it is important that it is performed by a qualified hypnotherapist. Make sure your therapist is professionally trained and registered with a professional organization such as the International Commission on Certification of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ICBCH).
As with any treatment, patients must be open to change for the treatment to be fully effective. If the person does not consent, it may not be very helpful in treating anxiety or mental health and may not produce the best results.
A hypnotist cannot control a child’s mind or make him do anything against his will. It can also be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, or with medication.
We hope this article has helped debunk some misconceptions and given you a clearer idea of whether hypnosis for autism is right for you.
References
Brandt, M. (2012), https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/10/not-getting-sleepy-research-explains-why-hypnosis-doesnt-work-for-all. html
Cole, K. Woods, K. (2017), Hypnotherapy for Autism and Asperger’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j4ad-I2wMQ&t=4s
Popow C, Ohmann S, Plener P. (2021), Physician review: Pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbidities. Neuropsychiatrist. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34160787/
Powlett, M. (2013b), Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy to Cope with Autism, Dr Lawrence Sugarman https://www.markpowlett.co.uk/myblog/read_91328/Hypnosis-and-Hypnosis- to-help-deal-with-autism -dr-Laurence-Sugarman.html
Sugarman, L. Garrison, B. Williford, K. (2013), Symptoms as solutions: Hypnosis and biofeedback for autonomic regulation in autism spectrum disorders. J. Clin Hypnosis. Oct;56(2):152-73. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2013.768197. PMID: 24665817.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/hypnosis risks-side effects
https://www.autism.org.uk/
