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How do you know if you should get an autism assessment? Why is working from home a great setup for folks who are living with an autism diagnosis? What is the most important thing that employers with autistic staff should know to be better bosses and managers?
In this podcast episode, Andrew Burdette speaks about creating a practice for autistic clinicians with Wendela Whitcomb Marsh.
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Meet Wendela Whitcomb Marsh
Wendela Whitcomb Marsh is an award-winning author and board-certified behavior analyst specializing in autism. After a career working with children on the spectrum, she took early retirement to write books and to provide autism assessments for adults. Her most recent book, Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls, was written to help therapists and diagnosticians look behind the mask to identify the subtle feminine characteristics of autism which are so well hidden.
Visit Wendela Marsh’s website and see also Autism PIPS.
Connect with Wendela on Facebook, Youtube, and LinkedIn.
FREEBIE: Check out this free PDF Checklist: When Your Client Says, “I Think I’m Autistic”
In This Podcast
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Using the W2 employee structure
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When to know if you should investigate an autism assessment
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Creating an autism-supportive practice
Using the W2 employee structure
Just having everybody be a W2 seemed to be the best thing for me, partly because with a 1099, I don’t get to tell them how to do things! … I am pretty directive in [guiding my employees]. I try to give them, within that, a lot of leeway. (Wendela Whitcomb Marsh)
Wendela prefers using the W2 model with her employees, since they are doing autism assessments, and she has a specific structure and routine that she would like her staff and clinicians to follow.
However, whenever she can she does strive to provide her clinicians with opportunities and the ability to structure things around their preferences.
For example, they can set their own hours and choose when to work, and set up their office spaces to suit their personal sensory needs.
It’s very much, “You decide what you’re comfortable with”, and most of the time that’s worked for us, so we’re doing okay. (Wendela Whitcomb Marsh)
When to know if you should investigate an autism assessment
Some of the classic experiences of people who end up being diagnosed with autism may include;
- Always having felt like they were on the outside of the standard group or different somehow
- That they feel they may have missed nuances that other people understand somehow more easily than they do
- Not being able to tell whether or not someone is flirting with you! This is a common one, as Wendela explains
It can be feeling different and not knowing why you feel that inside you feel like [you’re] from a different planet, and everybody else seems to have a secret handbook on how to make friends, but where’s mine? … That feeling of difference. (Wendela Whitcomb Marsh)
Even though getting a diagnosis may not change your life in itself per se, it may provide you with much-needed and appreciated relief of now having the understanding of why things seemed so different for so long.
Creating an autism-supportive practice
Wendela explains that she feels comfortable around autistic people, understands them well, and therefore enjoys her work.
She has intentionally structured her practice around meeting the needs of her staff who may have autism diagnoses because she wants them to have the freedom and ability to structure their working environment in a way that suits them and their personal needs.
I guess it’s about getting used to letting people tell you what they need and saying, “Oh, of course, we can make that accommodation” … [For example], working from home … is ideal for autistic people in any career. I think if you can work from home, you can create a social and sensory environment that totally supports you [in] getting your best work done. (Wendela Whitcomb Marsh)
This is something Wendela wishes more employers with staff members who have autism diagnoses would know, is that allowing them to work from home or have more agency over their workspaces can be a game-changer for their comfort and productivity.
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- What’s your phase of practice? Click here to get full access, totally free!
- Visit Wendela Marsh’s website and see also Autism PIPS.
- Connect with Wendela on Facebook, Youtube, and LinkedIn.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Wendela Whitcomb Marsh – Parenting While Autistic Raising Kids When You’re Neurodivergent
Wendela Whitcomb Marsh – Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls: When It Has Been Hidden Well
Check out these additional resources:
- Group Practice Boss: www.practiceofthepractice.com/grouppracticeboss $149 a month
Meet Andrew Burdette
Andrew founded Mindful Counseling PLLC in Asheville, NC shortly after completing his graduate program in clinical mental health counseling. At the start of the pandemic, he pivoted to an online solo practice, and in 2022, began to grow a group practice. He most enjoys helping clients and colleagues identify what ignites their passions and assisting them in creating a life rooted in authenticity. Andrew approaches his business development with alignment in mind and enjoys the integration process connecting the many puzzle pieces and systems required to run a successful practice.
Visit Andrew’s website and Apply to work with him.
Email him at andrew@practiceofthepractice.com