What Might That Look Like: A Decision Making Tool

Have you ever struggled over whether to accept an invitation or opportunity? Should I say yes, or no? Join Dr. Regan as she discusses the importance of identifying goals and asking "what might that look like" before making a final decision. Previous podcast episodes mentioned: Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism: Similarities and Differences Dr. Regan's Master Class for Clinicians: Zur Institute: Master Class Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:07,670 --> 00:00:08,520 Hi there. 2 00:00:08,529 --> 00:00:13,520 This is Doctor Regan joining you for an episode of Autism in the Adult podcast. 3 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:15,029 I'm your host. 4 00:00:15,039 --> 00:00:18,739 I'm also a neuropsychologist, author and speaker, 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:24,719 a certified autism specialist and the parent of a teen on the autism spectrum. 6 00:00:25,850 --> 00:00:29,040 You are joining me today for an episode entitled, 7 00:00:29,049 --> 00:00:30,620 "what might that look like?" 8 00:00:30,909 --> 00:00:35,240 One of the things that clients and families often ask me is, 9 00:00:35,250 --> 00:00:39,909 "should we plan on this" or "should I say yes to this?" 10 00:00:40,189 --> 00:00:40,669 Now, 11 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:48,659 this could mean being the best man at a family wedding or taking a family vacation to a cabin in the woods. 12 00:00:49,419 --> 00:00:53,509 It could mean accepting a full time job in an office setting. 13 00:00:54,299 --> 00:00:55,029 Now, 14 00:00:55,529 --> 00:00:58,509 my response is rarely yes or no, 15 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,270 but rather "what might that look like?" 16 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:05,519 So before we jump into the topic for today, 17 00:01:05,529 --> 00:01:09,559 we are coming up to the third anniversary of this podcast, 18 00:01:09,879 --> 00:01:19,639 the first episode launched on August 7th 2020 it highlighted similarities and differences between autism and ADD or ADHD. 19 00:01:20,050 --> 00:01:20,379 Now, 20 00:01:20,389 --> 00:01:33,279 this premiere episode is one of the most popular of the podcast and I plan to expand this topic into a series after today's episode which will further define executive function, 21 00:01:33,550 --> 00:01:41,050 its presentation in autism and ADD, and resources for harnessing the power of executive function. 22 00:01:42,199 --> 00:01:43,089 Secondly, 23 00:01:43,099 --> 00:01:46,930 I want to inform clinicians about an upcoming master class. 24 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:52,069 I'm offering through Zur Institute about autism across the lifespan. 25 00:01:53,190 --> 00:02:04,459 I received so many emails and messages through my website about people seeking autism informed clinicians to provide them with diagnostic input information, 26 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:08,919 education and solutions for roadblocks they may have encountered. 27 00:02:09,649 --> 00:02:17,270 So the bottom line is that more clinicians are needed to serve individuals who are searching for this specialization. 28 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:28,779 And my response has been to offer multiple courses through Zur Institute. It's a continuing education site for clinicians. 29 00:02:29,330 --> 00:02:36,809 My goal is to equip clinicians across various regions to assist individuals in their communities. 30 00:02:36,860 --> 00:02:39,320 When this type of service is needed, 31 00:02:39,979 --> 00:02:51,729 the master class offering will focus on advanced topics and it starts in September space is limited and I'll have the link in the show notes. 32 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,449 So let's jump into our topic for today. 33 00:02:56,380 --> 00:03:10,369 The autistic individual may have opportunities to accept or decline invitations and the invitation may be to enter an advanced academic program rather than the basic program. 34 00:03:10,789 --> 00:03:13,770 Perhaps the invitation is to travel. 35 00:03:14,429 --> 00:03:24,199 The invitation may be to lead a group such as being the best man at a family wedding or presenting research to professionals. 36 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:33,619 My experience is that there's value in viewing the invitation not so much as a yes or no question. 37 00:03:33,889 --> 00:03:35,369 Do I accept this? 38 00:03:35,380 --> 00:03:36,580 Do I say no. 39 00:03:36,759 --> 00:03:38,880 But by asking ourselves, 40 00:03:38,889 --> 00:03:40,410 what might that look like? 41 00:03:41,149 --> 00:03:41,710 A yes, 42 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:47,160 no view would be to see the invitation as a formed and complete package. 43 00:03:47,289 --> 00:03:51,080 So if I say yes to being the best man, 44 00:03:51,089 --> 00:03:53,080 I will plan the bachelor party, 45 00:03:53,089 --> 00:03:54,240 make a speech, 46 00:03:54,380 --> 00:03:55,020 toast, 47 00:03:55,029 --> 00:03:56,509 ...