Fulshear Treatment to Transition was fortunate to have been able to have Danny Raede, CEO and Founder of Asperger Experts, out to campus in January to train its staff. With an increase in the newly diagnosed young women on the autism spectrum being interested in Fulshear lately, Fulshear wants to be sure to have the best practices in place to incorporate clients with high-functioning autism into its program, and have them do well. 

Fulshear’s attachment focus allows the team to look at all diagnoses through the lens of attachment, which really helps clients that struggle in having healthy relationships and connections. For those on the spectrum, that are needing to learn how to create a healthy social connection, Fulshear now has a better understanding of the best ways to help these clients. Executive Clinical Director Kevin Randall says, “I absolutely appreciate the Polyvagal theory and the neuroplasticity components Danny spoke about. The correlation is strong between our attachment model and this, relating it all to our clients constantly searching their environment for threats, and that there cannot be social engagement when we’re feeling threatened. We have to get to a place of calm before being able to restore engagement.” 

While Danny spent his first day at Fulshear offering one of two 2-hour trainings for all staff (clinical, residential, life skills, and more) on the nuances in working with clients who are neurodiverse, his second day was covering a full day of training for the life skills department. They were truly able to dive into the ways to work best with Fulshear’s clients on the autism spectrum.  

Transition Life Skills Director Jenna Crowell speaks of her experience of these trainings. “The training was amazing. Danny brought his expertise not only as a person on the spectrum and his work with clients, but also gave us thoughtful and tangible interventions to support our clients. In learning more about the physiology and unconscious responses, we increased our understanding of and empathy towards our clients on the spectrum.” Ranch Life Skills Director Natalie Robles also had some thoughts after the training. “ ’We are going to go skydiving, and I’m going to pack your parachute,’ is the quote that really changed my perspective of the rapport that we expect to build with our clients within the first couple of weeks. After learning more about our clients on the spectrum, I am dedicated to slow that process down and be more interested in what they are passionate about, really get to know them and gain their trust before expecting them to take any risks in their treatment. I am so thankful for Danny’s experience and his insight. This will be a game changer for our Life Skills Department.” 
 
The Fulshear team is always striving to learn more and meet clients’ evolving needs, and is so grateful to Danny for coming out to visit and train.

About Fulshear Treatment to Transition

Fulshear Treatment to Transition, founded in 2003 and accredited by the Joint Commission, is located right outside of Houston in Needville, TX and Stafford, TX. Fulshear works with young women ages 18-24 struggling with mental health issues along with accompanying co-occurring disorders and is known for its development of the Fulshear Adult Attachment Model.