David Smith

David Smith, a licensed clinical social worker and late-diagnosed autistic therapist, shares his transformative journey of understanding neurodiversity. He emphasizes the importance of humility in therapy and the shift from expert-led approaches to mutual discovery. David discusses the complexities of demand avoidance, particularly how high-masking perfectionism often emerges. He advocates for prioritizing connection over correction and reveals how traditional reward systems can increase anxiety in neurodivergent clients. His insights call for patience, self-compassion, and reframing identity.