NeuroSpark Health

There are clinicians who don’t even know how unaffirming care shows up in therapy and assessment. 👀 Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments. #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #neurodivergentaffirming #ndaffirming

Following up to the conversation about problematic social media use, let’s talk task paralysis ⬇️ This is a phenomenon that can often feel deeply debilitating and contributes to a lot of frustration, guilt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy. When task paralysis happens, it can be extremely difficult to overcome. Visit our website to read the full blog and get some strategies on how to prevent task paralysis and how to get out of task paralysis. #adhd #autism #procrastination #executivefunctioning Slide 1: Hot pink slide with white text that reads What is Task Paralysis? Underneath the text is a graphic of a person laying on a couch with headphones on. Slide 2: Hot pink slide with white and black text that reads: Task Paralysis occurs when an individual feels completely unable to start tasks, even when they have a strong desire to do so. This can often feel debilitating. Above the text is a graphic of several arms, touching or holding different icons including a watch, a megaphone a phone, a graph line, a check mark, and a dollar sign. Slide 3: Hot pink slide with white and black text that reads: Contributing Factors  Burnout: When you're in burnout, starting new tasks can feel overwhelming/impossible.  Difficulty with Transitions: Moving from one state of mind to another can be challenging (task-switching)  Avoidance Behaviors: Procrastination and avoiding can stem from fear, anxiety, PDA, etc.  Uncertainty: Doubting your ability to complete a task successfully can prevent you from starting.  Conditional Thinking: Believing that certain conditions must be met before beginning a task can lead to inaction.  Too Many Tasks: Sometimes our to-do list becomes like a mountain of tasks and we don't know how or where to start. Slide 4: Hot Pink slide with white and pink text that reads: Task Paralysis Is Not Just ADHD While task paralysis is commonly associated with ADHD, it is not exclusive to ADHD. Autistic individuals and other neurodivergent individuals can also experience task paralysis. The overwhelming nature of decisions and tasks and executive functioning challenges can affect everyone.  Above the text is a graphic of two arms that form a circle, one pointing to a check mark and one pointing to a checklist. In the middle of the circle appears to be a traffic cone. Slide 5: Hot pink slide with bold text that reads: Task paralysis is not about a lack of will or desire to work; it's about the inability to act despite wanting to.

Hi again everyone! 💜 #socialmedia #mentalhealth #burnout #neurodivergentburnout Slide 1: Purple slide with white text and an image of a person’s hand holding a phone with a bunch of “like” icons floating around the phone. Text reads: AFTER TAKING A SHORT SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK, WE'RE BACK! (AND BETTER) Purple slide with white text that reads: 01 SOCIAL MEDIA + AUTISM/ ADHD HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW Autistics and ADHDers have a high likelihood of problematic social media use. There are a variety of factors that influence our relationship with social media. Purple slide with white text that reads:  02 SOCIAL MEDIA + AUTISM/ ADHD Dopamine: With ADHD, we have differences in our dopamine reward pathways. Social media quickly and easily activates our brain's reward center. Stimulation: A constant barrage of new and novel content is a constant stream of stimulation for our brains without ever even having to leave the couch. This can be addicting. Purple slide with white text that reads:  03 SOCIAL MEDIA + AUTISM/ ADHD Hyperfocus/Special Interests: Our algorithms are curated specifically to show us things that we are the most interested in. This satisfies our special interests and hyperfixations. Doom-Scrolling: Often a result of task paralysis and/ or burnout, we can get stuck in extended periods of scrolling as an avoidance mechanism or because we are simply too burnt out to do something else. This often does not feel good. Purple slide with white text that reads: 04 SOCIAL MEDIA + AUTISM/ ADHD PDA: Social media can absolutely be used by PDAers to avoid demands whether consciously or subconsciously. We can experience consequences for missing important deadlines or responsibilities, even affecting our own self-care. For example, "revenge bedtime procrastination" in which we stay up late at night to regain a sense of autonomy in our day. Purple slide with white text and an image of a computer with a notepad at a desk. Text reads: IT IS OKAY TO TAKE BREAKS AND RESET! We are creatures of habit. This does not mean these routines are always good for our brains and bodies. Taking a social media break or a dopamine detox can give us some space to reset and transform our relationships with our technology usage.

People have really enjoyed and benefitted from our first cohort of Glimmer, our virtual neurodivergent burnout recovery group. We have decided to open registration for another round of the group, beginning July 10, 2024. Exploring topics including, but not limited to: - The role of Collective Care - Rebuilding for Sustainability - Navigating Changes in Relationships - Harm reduction & Preventative Care If you would like to register or if you have any questions, contact us! We’re excited to have you join. #burnout #burnoutrecovery #neurodivergentburnout #burnoutprevention Text ID: NeuroSpark Health is happy to offer our second round of GLIMMER: NEURODIVERGENT BURNOUT GROUP Glimmer is a live, virtual support group for neurodivergent adults who meet weekly for one hour to connect, explore, process, cope with, and heal from Neurodivergent Burnout. Registration is Open! Wednesday, Wednesday July 10th, 2024 At 2pm EST Wednesday July 17th, 2024 at 2pm EST Wednesday July 24th, 2024 at 2pm EST Wednesday July 31, 2024 at 2pm EST Meet our Facilitator: Jennifer Alumbaugh, MSc "This is a space for us to process our experience with neurodivergent burnout, be validated, and build community with other neurokin. TO REGISTER, OR FOR QUESTIONS, EMAIL info@ neurosparkhealth (dot) com 201-308-3710 Image ID: Black slide in flyer format with white text. Glimmer is in light pink. 4 teal text boxes accentuating the headings. On the upper left side, there is an image of a person sitting at a desk smiling and waving at a laptop screen. In the middle, is a small headshot of our facilitator, Jennifer Alumbaugh. On the bottom right hand corner, there is an image of the back of a person sitting at a desk with their laptop and notebook.

The struggle is real. Here’s one take about why we can fall into people pleasing behaviors and struggle to say no at times. #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodivergence #neurodivergentaffirming #pdaaffirming

We are looking for an amazing PSYPACT psychologist who can join our team in providing specialized, neurodiversity-affirming autism and ADHD evaluations for adults. If the above qualities sound like you, please email your resume and a bit about your connection to this work to info@neurosparkhealth(dot)com ✨ #hiring #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirmingpsychologist #ndtherapist Text ID: We are hiring! Neurodiversity affirming PSYPACT PSYCHOLOGIST affirming part-time independent contractor NeuroSpark Health specializes in virtual autism & ADHD assessments for adults. We are looking to add a part-time PSYPACT psychologist to our team. THE ROLE • Remotely conduct diagnostic evaluations for autism and ADHD in adults 18+ • Write affirming comprehensive psychological reports Conduct post-assessment feedback sessions at clients' request • Opportunity to provide therapy (individual, couples, group) and/or coaching Compensation: $140-$175 per hour REQUIRED • Must be neuro- affirming • Independently licensed  • Comfortable providing services remotely OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE • ND lived experience • Specialized experience with autism/ADHD in adults licensed independently • BIPOC psychologists strongly encouraged to apply Please send your resume to info@neurosparkhealth(dot) com

Unfortunately, both groups also face significant barriers to healthcare including discrimination and lack of provider knowledge. This makes accessing neurodiversity-affirming and gender-affirming assessment and mental health support even more challenging. At NeuroSpark, we are honored to work with neurodivergent trans folks who deserve to be taken seriously and supported in their identities. Happy Pride. 🌈 #pride #transaffirming #genderaffirming #neurodiversityaffirming

🔎 Looking for a part-time, fully remote position providing administrative support to an ND-affirming practice? ✨ Look no further. We are hiring. Send your resumes to info@neurosparkhealth(dot)com (Person must be in the US.) Lived experienced highly valued. Text ID: NeuroSpark WE’RE HIRING Part-time, Remote Administrative  Assistant  ADMIN TASKS INCLUDE: - Client and clinician coordination (forms, billing, scheduling) - Data entry - Record keeping - Report editing - Potential for marketing involvement OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: - ND-affirming - ND lived experience - Reliable - Detail oriented/organized - Professional yet authentic -Starts at $20/hr  ~5-10 hours per week -Room for growth Send your resume to info @ neurosparkhealth. com Image ID: Background image of a black desk with a cup of black coffee and a green succulent plant. On the bottom right corner there is a graphic of a person working on a laptop at a desk with several bubbles/icons around them, including a graphic of a checklist, an email icon, and a phone icon. Text is left of center in white, green, and teal colored font. #hiring #ndatwork #neurodiversityatwork

The overlap between LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities is real. Just to name a few… #pride #neurodiversity #neuroqueer #intersectional ID: Purple slide with two columns of text comparing LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergence. One column is titled "Why do we need Pride?" and another column is titled "Why do we need the Neurodiversity Movement?" LGBTQ+ • Hate, bullying, discrimination towards the community • People can be afraid to come out to others • Conversion therapy still happens in almost every state • People (especially POC) don't feel sate being themselves in public • Experience significantly higher rates of ab*se • Experience significantly higher rates of mental health conditions • Healthcare and mental healthcare barriers • Inclusive and affirming care improves health. outcomes significantly. NEURODIVERGENCE • Hate, bullying, discrimination towards the community • People can be afraid to disclose to others • ABA was born out of conversion therapy and is a $4 billion industry • People (especially POC) don't feel safe being themselves in public • Experience significantly higher rates of ab*se • Experience significantly higher rates of mental health conditions • Healthcare and mental healthcare barriers • Neurodiversity-affirming care leads to signficantly better health outcomes

Have a great and safe weekend everybody! ❤️🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈❤️ #pride