Embracing the uniqueness of autistic girls, women and gender diverse folk

Unique U Psychology is a private practice founded by Danuta Bulhak-Paterson (MPsych (Child & Family), PG Dip (Psych), BSc, MAPS, MCCP). Although our passion is working with all genders, Unique U Psychology provides a special service—the recognition of the unique and specific attributes of the internalised/high masking presentation of Autism, which is commonly seen in autistic girls and women. We welcome clients with the internalised presentation of Autism across all genders, including gender diverse clients. 

Neurodiversity-affirming practice is recognising that neurodivergent people have different ways of seeing the world and communicating with others, have valuable skills to offer, and do not need to be ‘fixed’. Neurodiversity-affirming practice is formed upon the understanding that an individual’s disability emerges from the interaction between their characteristics and their environment, and neurodivergent people have their own collection of unique strengths and valuable perspectives to contribute to society. When you are a client of Unique U you are celebrated and supported to achieve the goals that you want to work on. We will help you to understand your neurodivergence, you will help us to understand you, and we will work together to achieve your goals. We do not teach social skills or encourage you to mask. We recognise that autistic people and ADHD’ers are at a higher risk of experiencing trauma and we provide trauma-informed care. We will work from a strength-based perspective and provide a safe, collaborative, and compassionate space for you.

Autistic girls and women have a unique mix of gifts and challenges that are often missed in the diagnostic process due to having learnt to mask and internalise their Autism.  This internalised presentation of Autism can also be seen in boys, although historically autistic boys and men are more represented in the DSM-V criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The internalised ("high masking") presentation of Autism is more subtle and requires specialised skill to discover.  Those who internalise their Autism are frequently left undiagnosed in their school years and consequently may miss out on the support and guidance necessary to achieve their full potential. Women who receive a diagnosis of Autism later in their lives frequently report a history of misdiagnosis, unnecessary medical treatments, consequent confusion and stigmatisation. Although at Unique U we focus on the female presentation, we welcome gender diverse autistic folk who may also share this presentation. 

The aim of therapy is to embrace the uniqueness of our autistic clients and to provide support in building their life skills, such as better management of emotions, self-awareness, and improved ability to form and maintain relationships. We are neurodiversity affirming in our approach and do not encourage skills that teach masking.  Through increased self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-acceptance our clients can be given the tools to join in with the neurotypical world, without compromising their identity.  Not every autistic person automatically needs therapy: therapy is tailored around the person's goals and needs. 

At Unique U Psychology we aim to embrace the positive aspects of being Autistic by helping clients discover and appreciate their neurodivergence. We aim to provide high quality, evidence-based neuroaffirming  therapy to help people of all genders with an internalised presentation of Autism to navigate through life. We strive to be a clinic that continues to be highly regarded as a center that appreciates and focuses on the internalised/ "high masking" presentation of Autism.