Freaking Out and Shutting Down in Autism: From Neuroscience to Narrative

Dr. Greg Siegle, from the University of Pittsburgh, will present a neuroscience-based framework for understanding reactions to emotional and sensory stimuli in autism that can seem very strong or almost absent, and how the same individuals may vary from one to the other type of reactivity. To support this framework, Dr. Siegle will work to integrate individuals’ neuroimaging data and their narratives, which autistic participants have said they want to have heard and understood by others. Dr. Siegle will relate these data to outcomes in a neuroimaging clinical trial of technologies to address dissociation.

Scheduled For:

February 18, 2025
1:00pm PT/4:00pm ET

Register Here

Topics Will Include:

  • High emotional reactivity and emotional “shutting down” may share similar physiology and neural mechanisms
  • Autistic individuals may experience emotional stimuli outside the emotion domain, e.g., as cognitively exhausting and physically painful
  • Learning control over “shutting down” may involve learning to process discomfort in ways that do not involve up- or down-regulating emotional reactions.

About our presenter:

Professor Greg Siegle

Dr. Greg Siegle, from the University of Pittsburgh, will present a neuroscience-based framework for understanding reactions to emotional and sensory stimuli in autism that can seem very strong or almost absent, and how the same individuals may vary from one to the other type of reactivity. To support this framework, Dr. Siegle will work to integrate individuals’ neuroimaging data and their narratives, which autistic participants have said they want to have heard and understood by others. Dr. Siegle will relate these data to outcomes in a neuroimaging clinical trial of technologies to address dissociation.

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Presented on: December 17, 2024

Webinar Description:
This webinar will provide an overview of the barriers to identifying, diagnosing, and caring for autistic females. We know that girls are diagnosed with autism with a lower frequency and later than boys; but why? This talk will cover the specific challenges faced by females on the autism spectrum, across the lifespan. Particular emphasis will include recent research conducted with the SPARK cohort, where intrinsic and extrinsic factors are considered, as well as the impact of co-occurring conditions on the autistic female. Clinical relevance and next steps to better serving females on the autism spectrum will be discussed. This webinar will present an overview of the barriers to identifying, diagnosing, and caring for autistic females. This webinar will provide an overview of the impact of co-occurring anxiety and ADHD on the autism female. This webinar will emphasize the importance of research participation, particularly for autistic females, to promote understanding and inclusion.

View more of our archived webinars here!