RELATIONSHIP BASED THERAPY FOR AUTISM- NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA- SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE

Autism is not a disease or an entity. It is not something that we must seek out to eradicate. Rather, it is a mode of being, the word “autism” simply being an umbrella term to describe how one relates (or does not relate) to the world. When autism is viewed as an entity, a “thing,” professionals are then led to develop programs that seek to transform the person into something they are not, nor will — or can — ever be. This errant perspective may prove dangerous, as it can function as the impetus to alter the affected person by force, coercion, or manipulation. If an American travels to a foreign country and knows nothing of the culture or language, he is bound to struggle. If an American travels to a foreign country having learned something of the language and culture beforehand, then relating to others and navigating one’s way become much easier. This illustrates the direction in which I believe that programs to aid autistic persons should be geared — not to change the individual, but rather to help them to be themselves, while also having an understanding of the “mainstream,” and being able to navigate within that realm. In my approach, there are some core principles that I find of utmost importance: Presume intellect: Because a person is nonverbal or struggles with communication does not mean they are not intelligent or have nothing to say. Their unique strengths and passions must be explored and utilized. Behavior is communication: In my opinion, the psychiatric community may be making a grave mistake when it simply seeks to “shut down” or suppress what it judges to be “unwanted” behaviors with powerful psychiatric drugs. Behaviors, even those which may be deemed “unwanted,” could be, for some, the only means to convey their needs or distress. Self-Advocacy: If professionals, friends, family members of the individual, and people at large wish to understand autism, there must be a willingness to enter the autistics’ world, not force them to enter the “public world” deemed acceptable. We must validate self-advocacy and seek knowledge about the autistic mode of being from those who actually live it each day. Relationship: To help autistic persons forge emotional connections, make their way through the mainstream, and learn new skills, the keys are relationships. We all must be inclined to forge a bond with the person, to truly seek to understand his experience, unique world, and how he finds meaning — that is, to get to know the autistic individual as a fellow human being. Once a bond is forged, a common healing ground can be created. Respect: It is paramount for respect to exist and abound, which means that we do nothing to force, coerce, or manipulate those with autism. They should be regarded at all times as being worthy of dignity. Again, the “outsider’s” role is to advocate for and support, not seek to modify the person into someone they are not, or need not be. I clearly remember a meeting with a five-year-old autistic boy who was nonverbal. He came into my office and began banging his hands on the computer keyboard. The secretary’s response, as is often typical in those with a lesser understanding of autism, was to immediately attempt to stop the behavior. Instead, I told her to let him continue. There is a ball pit in the center of the room, and I told the boy that if he wanted to keep hitting the keyboard, I might have to pick him up and toss him into the ball pit. He continued, so I picked him up and tossed him in. He got out and immediately walked back over to the keyboard. This time, he did not pound the keyboard but outstretched his hands toward it and then fell back into my arms for me to toss him into the ball pit. He giggled and then spoke the words, “Do it again!” I was amazed. Relationship was at the key of this interaction, and an emotional connection was forged. I entered into his world, and he reciprocated and entered mine.

New ways of relating to and understanding autism - from Wilkes- Barre Scranton Independent Gazette

New ways of relating to and understanding autism - from Wilkes- Barre Scranton Independent Gazette Autism is not a disease or an entity. It is not something that we must seek out to eradicate. Rather, it is a mode of being, the word “autism” simply being an umbrella term to describe how one relates (or does not relate) to the world. When autism is viewed as an entity, a “thing,” professionals are then led to develop programs that seek to transform the person into something they are not, nor will — or can — ever be. This errant perspective may prove dangerous, as it can function as the impetus to alter the affected person by force, coercion, or manipulation. If an American travels to a foreign country and knows nothing of the culture or language, he is bound to struggle. If an American travels to a foreign country having learned something of the language and culture beforehand, then relating to others and navigating one’s way become much easier. This illustrates the direction in which I believe that programs to aid autistic persons should be geared — not to change the individual, but rather to help them to be themselves, while also having an understanding of the “mainstream,” and being able to navigate within that realm. In my approach, there are some core principles that I find of utmost importance: Presume intellect: Because a person is nonverbal or struggles with communication does not mean they are not intelligent or have nothing to say. Their unique strengths and passions must be explored and utilized. Behavior is communication: In my opinion, the psychiatric community may be making a grave mistake when it simply seeks to “shut down” or suppress what it judges to be “unwanted” behaviors with powerful psychiatric drugs. Behaviors, even those which may be deemed “unwanted,” could be, for some, the only means to convey their needs or distress. Self-Advocacy: If professionals, friends, family members of the individual, and people at large wish to understand autism, there must be a willingness to enter the autistics’ world, not force them to enter the “public world” deemed acceptable. We must validate self-advocacy and seek knowledge about the autistic mode of being from those who actually live it each day. Relationship: To help autistic persons forge emotional connections, make their way through the mainstream, and learn new skills, the keys are relationships. We all must be inclined to forge a bond with the person, to truly seek to understand his experience, unique world, and how he finds meaning — that is, to get to know the autistic individual as a fellow human being. Once a bond is forged, a common healing ground can be created. Respect: It is paramount for respect to exist and abound, which means that we do nothing to force, coerce, or manipulate those with autism. They should be regarded at all times as being worthy of dignity. Again, the “outsider’s” role is to advocate for and support, not seek to modify the person into someone they are not, or need not be. I clearly remember a meeting with a five-year-old autistic boy who was nonverbal. He came into my office and began banging his hands on the computer keyboard. The secretary’s response, as is often typical in those with a lesser understanding of autism, was to immediately attempt to stop the behavior. Instead, I told her to let him continue. There is a ball pit in the center of the room, and I told the boy that if he wanted to keep hitting the keyboard, I might have to pick him up and toss him into the ball pit. He continued, so I picked him up and tossed him in. He got out and immediately walked back over to the keyboard. This time, he did not pound the keyboard but outstretched his hands toward it and then fell back into my arms for me to toss him into the ball pit. He giggled and then spoke the words, “Do it again!” I was amazed. Relationship was at the key of this interaction, and an emotional connection was forged. I entered into his world, and he reciprocated and entered mine. Dr. Dan L. Edmunds Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is an existential psychoanalyst, psychotherapist, and autism specialist in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association. He holds many prestigious degrees, and is the author of "The Meeting of Two Persons: What Therapy Should Be" and "Being Autistic: An Approach Towards Understanding and Acceptance." Dr. Edmunds can be reached for consultation at batushkad@yahoo.com.

DRUG FREE RELATIONAL APPROACHES TO AUTISM- SUPPORT, CONSULTATION, AND ADVOCACY

FOR CONSULTATION, contact Dr. Dan L. Edmunds at batushkad@yahoo.com In my therapeutic work with over 100 autistic and developmentally different persons in the Scranton/Wilkes Barre area of Northeast Pennsylvania, there are some core principles I have developed. I have been a dedicated advocate for autistic rights and have developed the International Autistic Empowerment Center to help persons and their families through relational/existential approaches to be able to develop skills to navigate through the mainstream. In addition, I have supported assisted with educational advocacy. 1. Presume intellect: Because a person is non-verbal or struggles in communication does not mean they are not intelligent nor have nothing to say. We must explore and utilize the strengths and passions of the person. 2. Behavior is communication: We may be making a grave mistake when we simply seek to shut down or suppress with powerful psychiatric drugs what we judge to be ‘unwanted’ behaviors. Behaviors, even those one may deem ‘unwanted’ may be for some the only means to convey their needs or distress. 3. Self-Advocacy: If we wish to understand autism, we must be willing to enter their world, not force them to enter our own. We must be willing to validate self-advocates and seek knowledge about the autistic mode of being from those who actually live it each day. 4. Relationship: To help autistic persons forge emotional connections, navigate through the mainstream, and learn new skills, the key is relationship. We must be willing to forge a bond with the person, to truly seek to understand their experience, their world, how they find meaning, to know them as a fellow human being. Once we forge relationship, we can create a common healing ground 5. Respect: It is necessary for respect to exist and this means as well that we do nothing to force, coerce, or manipulate the person. We regard them as a person worthy of dignity. Our role is to advocate and support, not seek to alter the person into something they are not nor need be I share this piece below as a reflection of how we should interact with autistic and developmentally different persons, how we should understand and support. Do not see my disability as the problem. Recognize that my disability is an attribute. Do not see my disability as a deficit. It is you who see me as deviant and helpless. Do not try to fix me because I am not broken. Support me. I can make my contribution to the community in my own way. Do not see me as your client. I am your fellow citizen. See me as your neighbor. Remember, none of us can be self-sufficient. Do not try to modify my behavior. Be still and listen. What you define as inappropriate may be my attempt to communicate with you in the only way I can. Do not try to change me. You have no right. Help me to learn what I want to know. Do not hide your uncertainty behind 'professional' distance. Be a person who listens and does not take my struggle away from me by trying to make it all better. Do not use theories and strategies on me. Be with me. And when we struggle with each other, Let that give rise to self-reflection. Do not try to control me. I have a right to my power as a person. What you call noncompliance or manipulation may actually be the only way I can exert some control over my life. Do not teach me to be obedient, submissive, and polite. I need to feel entitled to say 'no' if I am to protect myself. Do not be charitable towards me. Be my ally as I fight against those who exploit me for their own gratification. Do not try to be my friend. I deserve more than that. Get to know me. We may become friends. Do not help me, even if it does make you feel good. Ask me if I need your help. Let me show you how you can best assist me. Do not admire me. A desire to live a full life does not warrant adoration. Respect me, for respect presumes equity. Do not tell, teach, and lead. Listen, support, and follow. Do not work on me. Work with me.

A.R.E.A. (Autistic Relational-Existential Approach) Scranton/Wilkes Barre,PA

AREA (Autistic Relational Existential Approach) was developed by Dr. Dan L. Edmunds to be a respectful and dignified way of supporting autistic persons which presumes intellect, focuses on strengths and passions, seeks to help the person forge emotional connections, and navigate through the mainstream. AREA is based on Dr. Edmunds' book BEING AUTISTIC: AN APPROACH TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING. You may find information on Dr. Edmunds' background and work below. Dr. Edmunds is available for consultation as well as seminars. He has developed a certification for those intererested in using this humane approach. Dr. Edmunds can be contacted at batushkad@yahoo.com http://psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-states-mind http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html

Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project- Consultation and Advocacy

Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project There is a need to offer support to autistics in an embracing way. Published on May 15, 2013 by Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D., B.C.S.A. in Extreme States of Mind In my fourteen years of journeying with autistic and developmentally different persons, I have always presumed intellect and known that they possess inherent strengths and passions. I have seen two very divergent attitudes towards autism, one which seeks to eradicate autism and is willing to implement any strategy, even by force and coercion to seek to alter the person to fit into the mainstream. I find this a degrading and inhumane approach but it is often a core attitude present in behavioralist approaches. Wanting to embrace the autistic person, to understand their experience, to support their struggle, and to help them navigate through the mainstream, I developed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance is unique in that it provides consultation based on a relational and existential approach as well as educational advocacy. The goal is to help the person find meaning, and to be able to forge emotional connections. This is accomplished by respectfully entering the world of the autistic person and helping them gain understanding of the world of others. Though referred to as the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Autism Acceptance Project, this work has spread beyond Pennsylvania and consultation has been provided both across the nation and abroad. It is my hope that through this Project, people will not only develop greater awareness of autism, but a greater acceptance, a willingness to understand, to see autism as a mode of being rather than a 'disease' and to see autistic persons as persons of value and in need of dignity and respect.

Empathic Therapy- Autism/Trauma/Attachment/Extreme States- Scranton/Binghamton

batushkad@yahoo.com Born in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is a noted psychotherapist and traumatologist, existential psychoanalyst, social activist, Professor of Existential Psychology and Director of the Critical Psychology Certificate and Alternative Mental Health Services programs at European-American University. Dr. Edmunds for the past 12 years has been dedicated to drug free relational approaches to help those undergoing extreme states of mind (schizophrenia and psychoses, bipolar) as well as aiding autistic and developmentally different persons. Dr. Edmunds has worked with other 80 autistic and developmentally different clients and developed the Autism Acceptance Coalition to promote autonomy, understanding, and dignity of autistic and developmentally different persons. He encourages dignified and respectful ways to help autistic and developmentall different persons. Dr. Edmunds recently published an e- book to BEING AUTISTIC: AN APPROACH TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE which explores autism as a way of being rather than an 'entity' and detail the interactions with over 80 developmentally different clients. Dr. Edmunds has developed relational approaches for autistic and developmentally different persons and had often amzong breakthroughs with these persons all while keeping a focus on the need for acceptance, respect, and dignity. Dr. Edmunds currently resides in Dunmore in Northeastern Pennsylvania and has his private practices in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania in the Endless Mountains region and Kingston, Pennsylvania. Dr. Edmunds pioneered an amazing project where persons who would be typically institutionalized and given large amounts of suppressive medication could instead live in the community or with other supportive individuals and be supported in a way where barriers between therapist and client are broken down. This project has been termed "The Sanctuary project/Prince 104" and has been particularly helpful to persons undergoing extreme states of mind. These individuals often came with severe psychiatric labels (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar) and prescribed many psychiatric drugs. Dr. Edmunds was able to develop a relationship with them where they were able to feel empowered and reduce their dependency on these psychiatric drugs. Dr. Edmunds wrote the book MYSTICAL METAPHORS in collaboration with a young person who had undergone a psychotic experience. MYSTICAL METAPHORS helps to make this experience intelligible. It is one of the most dynamic and personal stories clearly relating the experience of psychosis. Dr. Edmunds is a contributor to PSYCHOLOGY TODAY in the area of Extreme States of Mind and writes for the Mad in America website. Dr. Edmunds attended elementary school in St. Petersburg, FL and Fort Collins, CO. Dr. Edmunds graduated from Fort Collins High School in Colorado. He completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton. He completed post graduate work in Dispute Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Edmunds completed his Doctorate of Education in Community Counseling at University of Sarasota. He received Board Certification through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Dr. Edmunds, from a young age, has always sought for an ethical society based on dignity and compassion. He won a writer's award for Ethical Reasoning sponsored by the Fort Collins Coloradoan in 1987. In 1991, at the age of 16, he was the youngest legislative aide to serve in the Colorado State Senate (working in the office of then State Senator Robert W. Schaffer) and became involved in social activism. He was involved with the Students for Peace and Justice at Fort Collins High School. In 1992, he was on the campaign staff of US Rep. Corrine Brown in Florida and had the opportunity to transport and dialogue with Martin Luther King III. Also in 1992, he organized a Youth Commission in Ormond Beach, FL and been a speaker at various political events. His political commentary has been focused on social justice/equality and civil liberty. He has spoken at numerous political events including a talk to the Pocono Libertarian Party in 2003. Politically, Dr. Edmunds is a left libertarian. He continues to reach out to young people and engage in the activist community through his lectures. Dr. Edmunds spoke at the Wooden Shoe Bookstore in July 2011 and at the Bluestockings Bookstore and Activist Center in New York City on November 26, 2011. Dr.Edmunds has been actively involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement and a speaker at the movements events in Scranton, Pennsylvania and New York City. Dr. Edmunds has served in the past in ministry and as a chaplain for the elderly and veterans. In 1998, he was inducted into the National Honor Society for Theology and Religious Studies and published an article in the University of Scranton's Diakonia Journal for Eastern Christian Studies. He was ordained in the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1997, later leaving and entering the EADM, a denomination in the Liberal Catholic tradition and the Society for Humanistic Potential. Dr. Edmunds began to challenge dogmatism and developed a more pluralist outlook. He became interested in Buddhist meditation and in 2007, participated in a Mahayana Refuge Vow Ceremony at the Kadampa Buddhist World Peace Temple in Glen Spey, New York. Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is the compassionate voice in the mental health system. He is a leading figure in the worldwide movement for a more humane psychiatric system and for progressive mental health services. He is a noted psychotherapist, child developmental specialist, sociologist and counselor working with both children and adults. His prolific books have discussed the social, political, and familial processes that create emotional distress and he has developed drug free approaches to aiding individuals undergoing extreme states of mind. Psychologist and Professor Eddy Regnier, Ph.D. remarked that Dr. Edmunds "(has) wonderful openness (and is able) to find calm even in the most troubled situation" and Psychologist and author John Breeding, Ph.D. has stated that Dr. Edmunds is a very clear thinker and writer who has defended and supported the spirited nature of children. Dr. Edmunds' social psychological work has focused on the political, social, and familial dynamics leading to emotional distress and he has frequently commented on the 'numbing' of our society. Dr. Edmunds is Professor of Existential Psychology and Comparative Religion for the European-American University and Director of the Critical Psychology Certificate Program and the Graduate program for Alternative Mental Health. Dr. Edmunds is a member of the International Society for Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy. Dr. Edmunds has posed critical questions to the psychiatric establishment and to society as a whole and has developed approaches towards helping distressed individuals that are compassionate and empowering and encourage self-determination and autonomy. He has been an advocate for social justice and for human rights in the mental health system. He has helped many individuals given various serious psychiatric labels live a more fulfilling life and be able to reduce or eliminate their dependency on psychiatric drugs. Many persons who have been damaged by bio-psychiatry have come to Dr. Edmunds for consultation as a last resort. Dr. Edmunds was one of the first to alert to stimulant induced mania and has been an expert witness in cases of involuntary intoxication by psychiatric drugs and has also assisted in situations where persons were to be involuntarily committed. Dr. Edmunds has extensive experience aiding those undergoing extreme states of mind (what is commonly diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective) and those who have the experience of hearing voices. He has worked with over 80 autistic/developmentally children using a relational approach and has been a proponent of the autistic rights movement. Dr. Edmunds' articles "Entering Their Imaginative World" and "The Value of a Relationship Based Approach to Autism" and his book , "Navigating Through the Mainstream" detail some of his loving, respectful, and supportive work with autistic children and their families. Dr. Edmunds has also been involved in successful drug free intervention for children and teens with challenging behaviors, particularly those who have received such labels as Bipolar, Conduct Disorder, ADHD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Dr. Edmunds has been involved in family mediation and offered expert testimony in family courts. Dr. Edmunds' has been active in issues of social justice for some time. Dr. Edmunds' work has become known internationally. He has been featured in various news articles and nationally syndicated radio programs. He previously hosted a local radio program addressing children's mental health. In 2002, while still a doctoral candidate, he was the one of the first mental health professionals to alert to stumulant induced mania and the rise of ADHD labeled children being labeled with bipolar as a result. In 2006, Dr. Edmunds founded the International Center for Humane Psychiatry, an emancipatory movement of mental health professionals, survivors and others seeking to replace biological psychiatry with more humane and dignified therapeutic means of helping those in distress. Dr. Edmunds' article, "Restoring the Soul to the Mental Health System" was published in the Aaina Journal of the Center for Mental Health Advocacy in Pune, Maharashtra, India and he is currently collaborating in research with the Bapu Trust for Mind and Discourse in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Dr. Edmunds has been involved in mental health reform efforts in Ireland. He is the author of "The Meeting of Two Persons" and "Mystical Metaphors" as well as numerous articles related to humane psychiatry, ethics in mental health practice, family dynamics, child and adolescent development, and autism. "Mystical Metaphors" was written in collaboration with a young person who had undergone an experience labeled as psychosis. The text seeks to make the experience understandable to convey the emotional distress and needs this person had. "The Meeting of Two Persons" discusses the social, familial, and political factors leading to emotional distress, the role of oppression in our lives, and the role of the therapist as activist and advocate. Dr. Edmunds has served as a pastoral counselor, Professor of Existential Psychology, psychological associate/evaluator, psychotherapist for community based agencies, clinical director for a therapeutic equestrian program, coordinator of therapeutic communities, and was previously a legislative aide and registered professional lobbyist. He is Board Certified in Sexual Abuse Issues through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is a member of the International Society for the Psychosocial Treatment of Psychoses. Dr. Edmunds hold Diplomate status with the American Psychotherapy Association. In addition, he has been a consultant to special education departments and provided educational advocacy services. Dr. Edmunds has lectured and delivered seminars throughout North America and has been a guest on radio television programs among them the nationally syndicated radio program "Take America Back", Talk of Connecticut WRDC-AM (Hartford, CT); The American Law Journal television program on Philadelphia CNN Affiliate; Highway to Health (Tropic Wave Radio, Melbourne, FL), PsycheWhisperer with A.J. Mahari, AM Radio in Clearwater, FL , WHO AM 1040 in Des Moines, Iowa; Paranormal Science on WILK-FM (Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA), WPUL-AM 1590 (Daytona Beach, FL), KFNX (Phoenix, AZ), Naturally Autistics New Generation Radio program, and Freedomain Radio. Dr. Edmunds is a contributor to Psychology Today in the area of Extreme States of Mind. Dr. Edmunds' radio broadcasts are available on ITunes. In 2006, Dr. Edmunds was the keynote speaker at a protest of a psychiatric conference in Niagara Falls, New York. This conference had been promoting psychiatric drugging of infants. Dr. Edmunds presented at the 4th Annual Alternative Education Resources Organization Conference in June 2007 at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York and at the 2005 and 2010 conferences of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology. Dr. Edmunds has guest lectured or presented at the University of Scranton,Pennsylvania State University (Worthington-Scranton), Russell Sage College, Keystone College, and the University of Florida. He has delivered training seminars and offered consultation to a number of mental health agencies. Dr. Edmunds' approaches have helped to return a 'soul' to the mental health system. With a combined background in community counseling, philosophy, activism, and comparative religion, Dr. Edmunds has sought to integrate new ways of finding meaning and purpose for the persons he serves. Much of his work has been in helping people undergoing emotional and mental distress come to a greater sense of wholeness through personal growth and self-transformation processes. Dr. Edmunds is a member and supporter of the Unconventional Foundation for Autism, an organization for research on alternative therapies. Dr. Edmunds is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Dr. Edmunds can be contacted by e-mail for consultation at batushkad@yahoo.com Dr. Edmunds provides counseling and consultation to children and families from Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York from his office in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, USA, near Scranton, Pennsylvania and approximately 2 hours from Philadelphia and New York City. Dr. Edmunds is available to provide telephone and internet consultation to those residing in other locations. Dr. Edmunds is also available for lectures and seminars.

BEING AUTISTIC: ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING

by Dan Edmunds, Ed.D., B.C.S.A.,DAPA Being Autistic: Acceptance and Understanding Autistic persons need acceptance and understanding. Published on December 27, 2012 by Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D., B.C.S.A. in Extreme States of Mind Autism is not a disease or an entity. It is not something that we must seek out to eradicate. Rather, it is a mode of being, an umbrella term to describe how one relates (or does not relate) to the world. If we look at autism as an entity, a ‘thing’, then this leads us to develop programs that will seek to alter the person into something they are not nor will or can ever be. It causes us to seek to alter the person by force, coercion, and manipulation. Behavioralism has sought to modify the person, the existential approach rather seeks to understand. How the autistic person behaves should be seen as a form of communication, possibly the only form of communication they may possess to describe their joys, sorrows, or distress. The world of the autist is often misunderstood, one may see the person flapping their arms, and see this as ‘strange’ and in need of suppression. But if we look inwardly and explore the meaning behind this action, we may find it is telling us of something, it is indicative of how that person feels. It is one of their few ways to be able to share their experience. A commonly used approach with autistic persons is Applied Behavioral Analysis where the child works on drills for up to 40 hours a week with a therapist. This type of program separates the child from their parents. The repetitive drills often lead to depression, humiliation, and rage. The entire system is built on this concept of altering the person by force, seeking to gain their compliance to an arbitrary ‘norm’ of what a child must and should be. Instead, we should realize and respect the various developmental stages both perinatal and postnatal that occur and understand that developmental differences exist. These developmental differences exist, and those wanting to aid the person must realize this, and then help the person in discovering their being, of who they are, and to be able to embrace who they are. Early intervention programs sometimes force children into meaningless, repetitive tasks and are geared towards conformity, solely seeking to prepare the child for the classroom, but not taking into account other aspects of the person. A child with cerebral palsy may be autistic, a child placed under conditions of sensory deprivation may be autistic, a child exposed to a toxin may be autistic. Autism is merely a term we have decided to use to label how a person has developed and relates differently to the world. If I am an American and travel to a foreign country and know nothing of the culture or language, I am bound to struggle. If I am an American and travel to a foreign country but have learned something of the language and culture, it will be far easier. This is the direction I believe that programs to aid autistic persons should be geared. Not to alter the person, but rather to help them to be themselves while also having an understanding of the ‘mainstream’ and being able to navigate through it. -from Dr. Dan L. Edmunds' blog EXTREME STATES OF MIND at Psychology Today Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.,B.C.S.A,DAPA batushkad@yahoo.com

Autism, Trauma, Extreme States of Mind- Drug Free Relational Approaches- Kingston, Pennsylvania

Born in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is a noted psychotherapist and traumatologist, existential psychoanalyst, social activist, Professor of Existential Psychology and Director of the Critical Psychology Certificate and Alternative Mental Health Services programs at European-American University. Dr. Edmunds for the past 12 years has been dedicated to drug free relational approaches to help those undergoing extreme states of mind (schizophrenia and psychoses, bipolar) as well as aiding autistic and developmentally different persons. Dr. Edmunds has worked with other 80 autistic and developmentally different clients and developed the Autism Acceptance Coalition to promote autonomy, understanding, and dignity of autistic and developmentally different persons. He encourages dignified and respectful ways to help autistic and developmentall different persons. Dr. Edmunds recently published an e- book to BEING AUTISTIC: AN APPROACH TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE which explores autism as a way of being rather than an 'entity' and detail the interactions with over 80 developmentally different clients. Dr. Edmunds has developed relational approaches for autistic and developmentally different persons and had often amzong breakthroughs with these persons all while keeping a focus on the need for acceptance, respect, and dignity. Dr. Edmunds currently resides in Dunmore in Northeastern Pennsylvania and has his private practices in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania in the Endless Mountains region and Kingston, Pennsylvania. Dr. Edmunds pioneered an amazing project where persons who would be typically institutionalized and given large amounts of suppressive medication could instead live in the community or with other supportive individuals and be supported in a way where barriers between therapist and client are broken down. This project has been termed "The Sanctuary project/Prince 104" and has been particularly helpful to persons undergoing extreme states of mind. These individuals often came with severe psychiatric labels (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar) and prescribed many psychiatric drugs. Dr. Edmunds was able to develop a relationship with them where they were able to feel empowered and reduce their dependency on these psychiatric drugs. Dr. Edmunds wrote the book MYSTICAL METAPHORS in collaboration with a young person who had undergone a psychotic experience. MYSTICAL METAPHORS helps to make this experience intelligible. It is one of the most dynamic and personal stories clearly relating the experience of psychosis. Dr. Edmunds is a contributor to PSYCHOLOGY TODAY in the area of Extreme States of Mind and writes for the Mad in America website. Dr. Edmunds attended elementary school in St. Petersburg, FL and Fort Collins, CO. Dr. Edmunds graduated from Fort Collins High School in Colorado. He completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton. He completed post graduate work in Dispute Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Edmunds completed his Doctorate of Education in Community Counseling at University of Sarasota. He received Board Certification through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Dr. Edmunds, from a young age, has always sought for an ethical society based on dignity and compassion. He won a writer's award for Ethical Reasoning sponsored by the Fort Collins Coloradoan in 1987. In 1991, at the age of 16, he was the youngest legislative aide to serve in the Colorado State Senate (working in the office of then State Senator Robert W. Schaffer) and became involved in social activism. He was involved with the Students for Peace and Justice at Fort Collins High School. In 1992, he was on the campaign staff of US Rep. Corrine Brown in Florida and had the opportunity to transport and dialogue with Martin Luther King III. Also in 1992, he organized a Youth Commission in Ormond Beach, FL and been a speaker at various political events. His political commentary has been focused on social justice/equality and civil liberty. He has spoken at numerous political events including a talk to the Pocono Libertarian Party in 2003. Politically, Dr. Edmunds is a left libertarian. He continues to reach out to young people and engage in the activist community through his lectures. Dr. Edmunds spoke at the Wooden Shoe Bookstore in July 2011 and at the Bluestockings Bookstore and Activist Center in New York City on November 26, 2011. Dr.Edmunds has been actively involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement and a speaker at the movements events in Scranton, Pennsylvania and New York City. Dr. Edmunds has served in the past in ministry and as a chaplain for the elderly and veterans. In 1998, he was inducted into the National Honor Society for Theology and Religious Studies and published an article in the University of Scranton's Diakonia Journal for Eastern Christian Studies. He was ordained in the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1997, later leaving and entering the EADM, a denomination in the Liberal Catholic tradition and the Society for Humanistic Potential. Dr. Edmunds began to challenge dogmatism and developed a more pluralist outlook. He became interested in Buddhist meditation and in 2007, participated in a Mahayana Refuge Vow Ceremony at the Kadampa Buddhist World Peace Temple in Glen Spey, New York. Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is the compassionate voice in the mental health system. He is a leading figure in the worldwide movement for a more humane psychiatric system and for progressive mental health services. He is a noted psychotherapist, child developmental specialist, sociologist and counselor working with both children and adults. His prolific books have discussed the social, political, and familial processes that create emotional distress and he has developed drug free approaches to aiding individuals undergoing extreme states of mind. Psychologist and Professor Eddy Regnier, Ph.D. remarked that Dr. Edmunds "(has) wonderful openness (and is able) to find calm even in the most troubled situation" and Psychologist and author John Breeding, Ph.D. has stated that Dr. Edmunds is a very clear thinker and writer who has defended and supported the spirited nature of children. Dr. Edmunds' social psychological work has focused on the political, social, and familial dynamics leading to emotional distress and he has frequently commented on the 'numbing' of our society. Dr. Edmunds is Professor of Existential Psychology and Comparative Religion for the European-American University and Director of the Critical Psychology Certificate Program and the Graduate program for Alternative Mental Health. Dr. Edmunds is a member of the International Society for Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy. Dr. Edmunds has posed critical questions to the psychiatric establishment and to society as a whole and has developed approaches towards helping distressed individuals that are compassionate and empowering and encourage self-determination and autonomy. He has been an advocate for social justice and for human rights in the mental health system. He has helped many individuals given various serious psychiatric labels live a more fulfilling life and be able to reduce or eliminate their dependency on psychiatric drugs. Many persons who have been damaged by bio-psychiatry have come to Dr. Edmunds for consultation as a last resort. Dr. Edmunds was one of the first to alert to stimulant induced mania and has been an expert witness in cases of involuntary intoxication by psychiatric drugs and has also assisted in situations where persons were to be involuntarily committed. Dr. Edmunds has extensive experience aiding those undergoing extreme states of mind (what is commonly diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective) and those who have the experience of hearing voices. He has worked with over 80 autistic/developmentally children using a relational approach and has been a proponent of the autistic rights movement. Dr. Edmunds' articles "Entering Their Imaginative World" and "The Value of a Relationship Based Approach to Autism" and his book , "Navigating Through the Mainstream" detail some of his loving, respectful, and supportive work with autistic children and their families. Dr. Edmunds has also been involved in successful drug free intervention for children and teens with challenging behaviors, particularly those who have received such labels as Bipolar, Conduct Disorder, ADHD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Dr. Edmunds has been involved in family mediation and offered expert testimony in family courts. Dr. Edmunds' has been active in issues of social justice for some time. Dr. Edmunds' work has become known internationally. He has been featured in various news articles and nationally syndicated radio programs. He previously hosted a local radio program addressing children's mental health. In 2002, while still a doctoral candidate, he was the one of the first mental health professionals to alert to stumulant induced mania and the rise of ADHD labeled children being labeled with bipolar as a result. In 2006, Dr. Edmunds founded the International Center for Humane Psychiatry, an emancipatory movement of mental health professionals, survivors and others seeking to replace biological psychiatry with more humane and dignified therapeutic means of helping those in distress. Dr. Edmunds' article, "Restoring the Soul to the Mental Health System" was published in the Aaina Journal of the Center for Mental Health Advocacy in Pune, Maharashtra, India and he is currently collaborating in research with the Bapu Trust for Mind and Discourse in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Dr. Edmunds has been involved in mental health reform efforts in Ireland. He is the author of "The Meeting of Two Persons" and "Mystical Metaphors" as well as numerous articles related to humane psychiatry, ethics in mental health practice, family dynamics, child and adolescent development, and autism. "Mystical Metaphors" was written in collaboration with a young person who had undergone an experience labeled as psychosis. The text seeks to make the experience understandable to convey the emotional distress and needs this person had. "The Meeting of Two Persons" discusses the social, familial, and political factors leading to emotional distress, the role of oppression in our lives, and the role of the therapist as activist and advocate. Dr. Edmunds has served as a pastoral counselor, Professor of Existential Psychology, psychological associate/evaluator, psychotherapist for community based agencies, clinical director for a therapeutic equestrian program, coordinator of therapeutic communities, and was previously a legislative aide and registered professional lobbyist. He is Board Certified in Sexual Abuse Issues through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is a member of the International Society for the Psychosocial Treatment of Psychoses. Dr. Edmunds hold Diplomate status with the American Psychotherapy Association. In addition, he has been a consultant to special education departments and provided educational advocacy services. Dr. Edmunds has lectured and delivered seminars throughout North America and has been a guest on radio television programs among them the nationally syndicated radio program "Take America Back", Talk of Connecticut WRDC-AM (Hartford, CT); The American Law Journal television program on Philadelphia CNN Affiliate; Highway to Health (Tropic Wave Radio, Melbourne, FL), PsycheWhisperer with A.J. Mahari, AM Radio in Clearwater, FL , WHO AM 1040 in Des Moines, Iowa; Paranormal Science on WILK-FM (Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA), WPUL-AM 1590 (Daytona Beach, FL), KFNX (Phoenix, AZ), Naturally Autistics New Generation Radio program, and Freedomain Radio. Dr. Edmunds is a contributor to Psychology Today in the area of Extreme States of Mind. Dr. Edmunds' radio broadcasts are available on ITunes. In 2006, Dr. Edmunds was the keynote speaker at a protest of a psychiatric conference in Niagara Falls, New York. This conference had been promoting psychiatric drugging of infants. Dr. Edmunds presented at the 4th Annual Alternative Education Resources Organization Conference in June 2007 at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York and at the 2005 and 2010 conferences of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology. Dr. Edmunds has guest lectured or presented at the University of Scranton,Pennsylvania State University (Worthington-Scranton), Russell Sage College, Keystone College, and the University of Florida. He has delivered training seminars and offered consultation to a number of mental health agencies. Dr. Edmunds' approaches have helped to return a 'soul' to the mental health system. With a combined background in community counseling, philosophy, activism, and comparative religion, Dr. Edmunds has sought to integrate new ways of finding meaning and purpose for the persons he serves. Much of his work has been in helping people undergoing emotional and mental distress come to a greater sense of wholeness through personal growth and self-transformation processes. Dr. Edmunds is a member and supporter of the Unconventional Foundation for Autism, an organization for research on alternative therapies. Dr. Edmunds is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Dr. Edmunds can be contacted by e-mail for consultation at batushkad@yahoo.com

NON DRUG RELATIONAL APPROACHES FOR AUTISM, TRAUMA, EXTREME STATES OF MIND IN KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA

Noted existential psychoanalyst and psychotherapist Dr. Dan L. Edmunds will be expanding his work to Kingston,PA. For further information or to arrange a consultation, please see: http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html

BEING AUTISTIC: AN EXISTENTIAL AND RELATIONAL APPROACH- SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is noted for his work with over 80 autistic persons and for developing one of the few relationship based programs based on respect, acceptance, and dignity. Dr. Edmunds is currently working on a new book entitled BEING AUTISTIC where he addresses autism as a mode of being rather than an 'entity', and will share his groundbreaking relationship based work with autistic children and adults.
For more information on Dr. Edmunds' work and background, see
http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html

Being Autistic: an existential approach towards understanding and acceptance

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is working on a new book that will
explore autism and relational approaches and ways to
support autistic persons in dignified ways. Dr. Edmunds
has offered consultation to school districts and families
and therapy for children and adults. Please see
http://humanepsychiatry.com

EXISTENTIAL ANALYSIS AND AUTISM

Dr. Edmunds is now embarking on writing a new book that will explore existential psychoanalysis and autism and discuss relational approaches and autism acceptance. To see Dr. Edmunds' presently published books, see
http://lulu.com/voice4kids

Southern Tier of New York (Binghamton) and PA (Scranton) Autism and Asperger's Relational Approaches and Extreme States of Mind- Psychiatric Drug Free

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds has successfully helped many get off
psychiatric drugs and be able to live happier lives. Dr.
Edmunds work and background can be found at
http://selfgrowth.com/experts/dan_edmunds.html

Developmental Differences/ Autism

A few years back, my work mainly was with autistic and developmentally different persons but this lessened as I began helping more individuals who were going through extreme states of mind. I wrote the text, "Entering Their Imaginative World" in 2007 and began encouraging the development of drug free, relationship based approaches. Now in 2011, I am expanding my work with autism and developmental differences. In my approach with one person with Down's Syndrome, we sought to find ways to help him feel he was making a contribution, has worth, and feels fulfilled. This was accomplished by giving him particular responsibilities (according to his ability) that tied in with a particular strength and interest he has. I also worked on development of skills through real life rehearsals and active engagement. In my work with autistic children, it has always been the process of 'joining in' that has been remarkable. Many non-verbal children began to develop these skills simply through this engagement.
For more information on my autism/developmental differences work or to arrange a consultation, see the website at http://www.humanepsychiatry.com


-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.