Occupational therapist Alisha Grogan advocates a nuanced approach to autism, emphasising that understanding individual traits and assessing their impact on daily life are key to effective support, marking a shift in how acceptance and intervention are balanced.
In the latest episode of her Connected and Capable podcast, occupational therapist Alisha Grogan argues that the question of whether an autistic trait should be accepted or addressed is rarely simple. Her framework starts with the idea that autism is highly individual: a behaviour such as stimming, refusal, aggression or avoiding grooming tasks may reflect anxiety, sensory overload, frustration or another need that is not immediately visible. The first step, she says, is to observe carefully and avoid jumping to conclusions.
That caution reflects a wider shift in autism support. Medical News Today notes that there is no cure for autism, only interventions that can help with specific challenges and improve day-to-day life. At the same time, autism acceptance organisations such as Autism Society Boulder County define acceptance as valuing autistic people as they are, rather than trying to make them conform to neurotypical expectations.
Grogan’s second step is to ask whether discomfort is really about the autistic person or about the adult’s reaction to the behaviour. A child’s hand flapping, vocalising or need to withdraw may be regulating, even if it feels disruptive to parents, teachers or therapists. But acceptance, in her view, does not mean ignoring genuine risk. When a behaviour involves self-harm, violence or damage to property, the need for support is clearer, even if the response should still avoid shame and panic.
The third test is whether the behaviour affects quality of life. Autistica says autistic people may face sensory difficulties, social pressures and negative reactions from others that can make daily life harder. Grogan’s answer is that support should begin when a trait blocks essential participation, such as eating, bathing, attending school or moving safely through a routine. In those cases, the goal is not to erase autism but to lower distress and improve function.
That balance between acceptance and intervention is also reflected in education approaches such as Acorn Education and Care’s “Ask, Accept, Develop” strategy, which emphasises listening to autistic people and adapting environments to meet sensory needs. Grogan’s message is similar: some differences should be respected, others need support, and the hard part is knowing which is which. Her answer is to look at the whole child, the context and the impact on daily life before deciding what needs to change.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
