ENERGY – The Framework, Tools, Strategies & Logic to Support Regulation
ENERGY – THE SUPER SHORT STORY:
A written walk-through of all the Autism Level UP! tools and ways of thinking about supporting regulation for yourself or others. Designed with Autistic and Neurodivergent people in mind, but perfectly suitable for all neurotypes!
ENERGY – A BIT MORE:
The term “regulation” is tossed around a lot today (and maybe regulation likes or requires that kind of sensory input…), especially in the form of “emotional regulation.” How does Autism Level UP! conceptualise regulation? We think about ENERGY and energy regulation.
Where is your energy right now? Where do you want it to be for whatever it is you are doing (reading a manual, perhaps)? Do those two answers line up? If so, you are well regulated. Are those two answers different? You might be dysregulated and need some kind of tool or strategy to make a match. We find this to be a more realistic, authentic and affirming method for thinking about regulation than tying it to socially constructed emotions.
This manual will teach you how we think about ENERGY and how you can use it for yourself or to support others through the introduction of our tools, worksheets and ways of thinking. We offer ideas on how to introduce the concept to people with wide ranging neurotypes and communication profiles as well as how to ensure a fair and equitable partnership develops in which the burden of change and growth is on both the person and the partner. We hope you enjoy this choose your own adventure journey and where ever you end up, you have taken another step in levelling UP! — Amy and Jac (the Authors)
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Amy C. Laurent, PhD – Amy is an OT, developmental psychologist, co-author of The SCERTS Model (a developmental framework for supporting Autistic people) and the co-founder of Autism Level UP! Amy enjoys supporting Autistic individuals and their partners, co-conspiring as an ally to Autistic people and creative design of useful and accessible tools and supports. Amy has many sensory needs that she meets through running, yoga, dance, paddle boarding and even resistance training as prescribed by her trainer, Jac.
Jacquelyn H. Fede, PhD – Jac is a super fun, super goofy and SUPER DUPER nerdy Autistic Advocate and the co-founder of Autism Level UP! Jac enjoys supporting Autistic Individuals and their partners as well as program evaluation, data and statistics and app and web development. Jac is a physical activity junky and continues to meet her intense sensory needs by seeking high impact and highly resistant movements. (Also a PhD, but if you need this to be interested, you need to reflect on your priorities).
Testimonial(s):
Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate:
“The energy that must have been poured into the creation of this book must have been immense! Understanding the complex relationship between energy levels and regulation for Autistic people is key, but attempting to support that connection without being able to utilise context, communication and language that Autistic people find meaningful, only runs the risk of causing harm. This book provides both that language and context and a superb framework to apply it. So much of Autistic experience is misperceived, pathologised and behavourised, so any support that connects energy, dysregulation and distress is vital. Every resource created by Autism Level-Up does this and is incredibly valuable, but ‘ENERGY: The Framework, Tools, Strategies & Logic to Support Regulation’, is exceptional.”
