AUTISM MEETS MENTAL HEALTH SEAN INDERBITZEN

EPISODE 55
Where Autism meets Mental Health: A Discussion with Sean Inderbitzen, Autistic Behavioral Health Therapist

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

It is widely accepted that autistic individuals often experience co-occurring mental health challenges and conditions. However, the specific relationships between autism and mental health conditions remain an area of debate and even significant disagreement. Sean Inderbitzen, an autistic Behavioral Health Therapist, holds specific beliefs that vary from views of autism grounded primarily in a social model of disability framework. In this episode, Sean, Dave and Barry have a lively discussion about autism and mental health based on Sean’s professional and personal experiences.

Sean’s Website

Self-Destruction Book

MeSenseU – Survey

Featuring

Sean Inderbitzen - Autism Mental Health

SEAN INDERBITZEN

Sean Inderbitzen is a Behavioral Health Therapist, and lives with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has a caseload with 33% of his patients that live with autism and varying comorbid psychiatric conditions. Prior to being a mental health clinician, he was a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for 3 years. He was also appointed by Governor Walker to the Statewide Independent Living Council of Wisconsin. He is an incoming member to the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and provides training on motivational interviewing, autism and employment, and autism and comorbid psychiatric conditions.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1. As is apparent from the title of this episode, Sean believes that autism is a mental health condition. He acknowledges that his view incorporates a “medical model” perspective contrast to a neurodiversity perspective that views autism as a natural part of the neurological diversity of humankind. What is your understanding of his belief, and do you agree with this contrasting perspective?

2. As an autistic Behavioral Health Therapist, what specific insights and understandings does Sean bring to his work from his personal experiences? Does he feel this perspective enhances his abilities as a therapist, or makes his work more complicated?

3. Sean believes that Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory provides a unique perspective and insight into understanding autism, and indeed, may require a change in crtieria for diagnosis. What is your understanding and implications for “treatment” from this discussion of polyvagal theory, and do you agree?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.