Embodying Autism - by Sarah Bergenfield & Martha Sweezy (Paperback)

About the Book

In this groundbreaking book, autistic psychotherapist Sarah Bergenfield explains how and why autism is an embodied condition of sensory surplus--a conclusion she has reached through both lived experience and empirical evidence. Joining Bergenfield, psychotherapist Martha Sweezy offers an adaptation of the internal family systems (IFS) therapy approach, along with skills grounded in neuroscience and polyvagal theory to help readers navigate their unique neurotype, understand their sensory sensitivities, and feel at home in their autistic bodies.

Book Synopsis

Powerful skills grounded in internal family systems therapy (IFS), polyvagal theory, and neuroscience to help you navigate your autistic brain, body, and mind.

There's a saying: "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." Autistic individuals are as varied and different from one another as non-autistics. The difference is that we are often measured against societal standards we cannot functionally meet. Before we can navigate an ableist world and create the change needed to thrive, we must first understand our unique neurotypes and sensory sensitivities, and learn to feel at home in our autistic bodies.

In this groundbreaking book, autistic psychologist Sarah Bergenfield explains how and why autism is an embodied condition of sensory surplus--a conclusion she has reached through personal experience and empirical evidence. Psychotherapist Martha Sweezy joins Bergenfield in offering an adaptation of the internal family systems (IFS) therapy approach, as well as skills grounded in neuroscience and polyvagal theory to help you manage the sensory disorganization caused by an overwhelming world, so you can understand and advocate for your needs and cultivate lasting self-acceptance.

Autism is a condition of perceptual diversity--characterized by differences rooted in heightened sensory awareness and intensity, and experienced simultaneously in the body, brain, and mind. Our responses to sensory stimuli, changes in routine, and lack of predictability manifest as the symptoms that others may observe, such as difficulties with communication, socialization, shutdowns, and sensitivities.

This book will guide you as you let go of the negative effects of being marginalized, othered, shamed, or stigmatized--so you can reclaim your confidence, live authentically, and flourish.

About the Author

Sarah Bergenfield, MA, is a certified internal family systems (IFS) practitioner. Sarah specializes in supporting autistic clients in various stages of their diagnostic journey. A speaker and presenter, Sarah teaches about autism and how IFS can be used to increase understanding and self-acceptance. She lives in New Jersey.

Martha Sweezy, PhD, is a part-time assistant professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a research and training consultant at the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and a psychotherapist in private practice. She teaches IFS therapy nationally and internationally, and has authored, coauthored, and coedited numerous books on various applications of IFS.