The Authentically Autistic Health Files are a celebration of health and wellbeing practitioners who, like myself, are both autistic and working with clients who are autistic. As you might expect, our unique life experiences, understanding and skills give us particular insights into many of the challenges that our autistic clients may have.
Please do contact me if you would like me to send you a questionnaire so that you can be featured on this blog. You are welcome to remain anonymous and I will always get you, as the featured practitioner to approve copy before I post.
In her own words, here is The Silent Wave:
The Silent Wave (a.k.a. Laina Eartharcher.)
I specialize in Functional/Integrative Medicine. I earned my certification last year as an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), one of 13 different sources of post-doctoral training.
I’ve also studied Functional Neurology from the Carrick Institute, completing 21 of the 24 required classes before discovering and switching to Functional Medicine. Since then, I have begun to gravitate toward – and carve out a niche of–people who can’t seem to find answers and relief anywhere else.
I get the “weird stuff”, the complex and multi-dimensional cases, and I enjoy solving them.
thesilentwaveblog.wordpress.com
Basic Biography
I’m Laina E, 40, from South Texas, US. I changed university majors 8 times before discovering integrative medicine at age 25-26. Once, in very poor health at age 23, I discovered natural healing and integrative medicine, which prompted me to get into the field to help others.
My Asperger’s/autism discovery happened much, much later, at age 38.5, while perusing research articles in medical journals. My current setup is self-employment, co-ownership of an integrative medicine clinic with my partner. I work very part-time, and I’m very selective of the people I work with. I juggle work-life balance, and I currently struggle with motivation issues.
Unrelated facts: I love martial arts, cats, Texas, world philosophies/religions, nature, digital art, writing, road trips, and the desert.
Your Health Business or Specialism
My main health-related interests are: biochemistry, nutrition, multicultural health systems (Chinese, Japanese, Native American, Indian/Ayurveda, Egyptian, etc), microbiology, pathology, genetics, toxicology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hepatology/detoxification.
How Does Being Autistic Impact Your Health Practice?
There is an *absolute* impact (lol). Being on the spectrum gives me the extra ability to delve deep into an issue and tenaciously latch on to it, without letting go until I’m satisfied. For example, I have spent a full 8 hours straight researching the biochemical metabolism of Lysine (lol).
I’m a perfectionist. I balance the scientific with the artistic in my practice, in terms of creating graphical/visual patient education handouts and summary reports for patients. So, Asperger’s/autism is a superpower for me. It helps that human biochemistry and solving mysteries/puzzles are special interests for me.
But it is also a disability as well. It is extremely difficult for me to meet with people; I cannot take walk-ins or appointments on short-short notice, nor can I see more than a handful of people in one day, nor can I start before 10am and nor can I got much past noon. And definitely not on Mondays (too anxious) or Fridays (too fatigued). So, my Aspergian/autistic condition does limit me in that way. There’s also the social awkwardness and an incredible energy expenditure devoted to masking my natural autistic traits in order to “look ‘normal’” and gain the trust and acceptance of others.
What Considerations Do You Take into Account with Autistic Clients?
I haven’t had too many people on the spectrum yet. I give them a long leash, helping them find ways to work my recommendations into their daily routine. I make it clear that they can be themselves in my office, including stimming, lack of eye contact, expressing themselves in a way that comes natural to them, etc. We can meet in person or by phone (if they don’t want to leave their house). I’m also looking at setting up Skype and email programs, or perhaps secure 2-way online chat, but haven’t moved on that yet.
Do You Have or Have You Had Specific Health Challenges of Your Own?
Oh lord yes (lol). I have 3 autoimmune disorders (including hearing impairment that is getting progressively worse; thyroid issues that sap my energy and motivation; and neurological degeneration that makes me clumsy and compromises brain function at times), EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or hypermobility spectrum), and I’m entering a rough pre-peri-menopausal stage. I also have histamine excess, a herniated disc in my neck, and post-traumatic stress issues, along with sporadic depression, dental problems, Non-24 sleep disorder, and documented heavy metal poisoning.
Support – I rely heavily on my partner. Very heavily. I try to eat a clean diet (although I could do much better!). I try to get plenty of downtime. I work in the office 3-4 days a week, usually going home at lunch. I take Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas and nutritional/herbal supplements. I get semi-regular acupuncture and spinal decompression treatments. I text my friends and family. I blog, although not as much lately. I also keep a journal blog, which I’ve been spending more of my time on lately. I do plenty of leisure activities. I do need to get more physical activity and mediation, though 🙂 I also have two lovely kitties!!
What Are Your Own Health and Wellbeing Routines and Non-Negotiables?
I must be gluten-free 100% of the time or I crash. I must have a fruit and vegetable smoothie at night or I feel crappy. I must take care what music I listen to, or I can get depressed or hostile. I must avoid subjects that I’m hyper-empathic to. I must be on the couch, with the lights and TV on, doing things on my laptop, in order to fall asleep. I must get cuddle-time in with my kitties. I must journal on my journal blog. I must go outside (in the winter) for about 20 minutes every night to cool down my nightly hot flash.
In the summer, I must have sushi to keep me balanced. In the winter, I must have more beef and chicken to keep me balanced. I should start drinking more herbal tea; I felt my best when I was doing that.
Sensory Toolkit
Weighted blankets!! OMG these rock. Those are more of an inside thing, though. As for going outside, I rarely do. When driving, I must have my iPod hooked into the truck stereo and be able to sing along. I must have my iPhone to play with when out and about. My husband does all the talking for me if we have to interact with anyone (like at a restaurant, the grocery store, etc).
Meltdowns and Shutdowns
Too much stress, too much peopling, too low blood sugar, certain times of the month, criticism, bullying, assumptions or accusation especially if false and/or unfair, animal cruelty, dealing with complaining or otherwise obstinate patients, financial woes, etc. Lots of triggers LOL. Excess noise or harsh lighting, etc.
What Are Your Plans?
Spirituality, meditation, different means of exercise/physical activity, etc – personal areas of health interest/research. As far as our practice, I’d love to incorporate more personal training, more massage therapy modalities (Rolfing, etc), more Ayurveda, yoga, etc.
Who Are Your Health Inspirations?
IFM and Dr Mark Hyman have been inspirational. www.ifm.org and www.drhyman.com
Do You Have any General Advice or Closing Words?
I wish I would’ve gone a slightly different path in terms of schooling, but that’s neither here nor there at this point 🙂 Above all, I must learn to take care of MYSELF so that I can take the best care of others that I possibly can. Set the example; cultivate what people WANT – the energy, vitality, health, radiance, etc.
It’s easy to say (and hard to do), but don’t worry about the financial aspect. Seriously, just focusing on each patient and moving from one patient to the next, focusing on each in turn, will automatically generate the income. Also, I wish I would’ve known not to sell myself short! I gave WAY too many discounts and undervalued myself way too much in the beginning, thinking I was doing people a favor. Never apologize for the need/desire to be paid sufficiently for our services. Never feel guilty for expecting others to uphold their end of the Law of Fair Exchange. People do NOT respect someone who gives their time away – I may have thought I was doing them a favor, but actually I wasn’t. It backfired every time and I dang near burned out my first and second years in practice. Sometimes I’ve got to put my foot down. If I give an inch, some will take a mile; boundaries are important.
It’s OK to say no and/or draw a boundary. I can’t control how others will respond to that. It took me a long time to learn that I will never please everyone because some people 1) have unreasonable, unrealistic, impossible expectations that NO ONE will ever meet, and/or 2) have decided to be angry and unsatisfied no matter where they go or who they deal with (even at the grocery store) because they’re simply unhappy people. There’s no cure for that, so I had to stop beating my head against a wall (figuratively) trying. 🙂