Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the “ability to monitor one’s own and other people’s emotions, to discriminate between different emotions and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour” (Salovey and Mayer, 1990).
The five main components of EQ are: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social skills.
Increasing one's EQ leads to greater satisfaction and success with work and life itself, more so than IQ.
Studies have shown that up to 50% or more of autistic individuals may also experience alexithymia, compared to around 10% in the general population
Some common emotional autism symptoms include:
- Difficulty identifying or describing one’s own emotions
- Challenges in recognizing emotions in others
- Intense emotional reactions to seemingly minor stimuli.
- Difficulty regulating emotions or recovering from emotional experiences
- Apparent lack of emotional expression or inappropriate emotional responses
- Anxiety or distress in social situations
- Preference for routine and difficulty with changes, which may be rooted in emotional regulation challenges
Our Approach
Our therapeutic approach steeped in a deep understanding of the internal emotional landscape, provides the presence and tools to support the individual develop the capacity to increase their emotional awareness.
By offering a calm, patient and empathic response in conjunction with the ability to sit with the individual's emotions and behavioural outbursts, the individual becomes aware of the emotional turbulence within.
Education on Emotional Intelligence
Through either structured or impromptu delivery we provide the platform and materials to help the individual gain the educational knowledge on the emotional landscape with the intent of increasing cognitive empathy.
This can look like either using visuals aid such as emotion cards, illustrations or short stories, or more interactive techniques such as drama and role playing. It can also involve the suggestion and encouragement of leveraging technology apps such as mood apps to build the rhythm of 'checking in with oneself'.
Moment by Moment
The most effective way to increase emotional awareness is 'moment-by-moment'. Observing when the individual is becoming either overstimulated, over excited or on the other side of the spectrum, bored or distracted, we strategically intervene either through through our communication or action and bring the individual back into balance.
Through techniques such as 'mirroring' or 'reframing' we also assist the individual bring their attention back to themselves and their internal state. By verbalising negative emotions such as "it seems like you are upset", can decreases the emotional intensity by up to 30%, and through helping the individual change their language from "I'm malfunctioning", to "I'm feeling unsettled" also has a dramatic positive effect.
Active Listening & Unconditional Positive Regard
The individual may consciously or subconsciously feel that they are 'different' or 'undesired'. This can be due to a variety of reasons such as history of emotional or behavioural outbursts leaving them excluded from various group activities such as school, extra-curricular activities, friends’ groups etc. As one ages, but has not met the psychosocial development milestones, there can be a build up of repressed emotions of feelings of loneliness, rejection, isolation, grief, shame, anger, and confusion to name a few.
By understanding these underlying layers of emotions and any associated behaviours we can more delicately navigate these situations and provide the appropriate actions. By offering support through active listening, self-regulation unconditional positive regard the individual may feel safe and comfortable to express these emotions authentically, in what can be understood as 'catharsis'.
Although some may deem it confronting, it does provide the perfect opportunity to reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Desired Outcomes
Emotional Release
Understanding One-self
Understanding One-self
As trust and feelings of safety and acceptance increase, the individual becomes comfortable sharing past or present experiences of a heightened emotional nature, releasing emotional blockages.
Understanding One-self
Understanding One-self
Understanding One-self
Through mirroring back the individual's true self and supporting the individual's independence, the individual gains a deeper layer of understanding into themselves.
Relationships
Understanding One-self
Psychosocial Development
As rapport builds with the support worker, the individual's emotional intelligence increases and new healthy relationships become possible.
Psychosocial Development
Psychosocial Development
Psychosocial Development
As the individual navigates the internal emotional conflicts, they find purpose in life and competent in their desired activities.
Change & Routine
Psychosocial Development
Change & Routine
Through managing impulses and learning self-control, the individuals broadens their ability to emotional handle change and can create and follow new routines.
Facing Life
Psychosocial Development
Change & Routine
Overall, as emotional intelligence improves, the internal container to manage heightened emotions strengthens and the individual is capable of facing the chaos of the world.