Resilience Without Romanticism: Joshua Dvorkin on Trauma Recovery & Narrative Sovereignty for ND | Adulting with Autism

Facing life-altering trauma like injury/disability? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April explores resilience without romanticism with Joshua Dvorkin, Registered Psychotherapist/Reclamation Coach and Headway Mental Health founder. After a 2004 epileptic seizure/spinal cord injury (paralyzed chest-down, ventilator-bound with 20% survival odds), Joshua defied prognosis—off ventilator in 10 days, independent in 6 months, earning 3 degrees (Master's Psychology)—now guiding ND folks (autism/ADHD) through chronic illness/disability/transitions/LGBTQ2S+ support via radical compassion/authentic empowerment/narrative sovereignty.

Key insights:

• Injury rebirth: Mind strength/10-day recovery; present gratitude crushes fear (beyond "stay positive").
• Radical acceptance: Embrace reality, small steps close gaps (dream big, actionable traits).
• Narrative sovereignty: Own your story—beliefs shape reality (no pathologizing, validate strengths).
• Manifesting concrete: Steps over woo (research/skills import, affirmations/repetition for beliefs).
• Grief/pressure: Feel ungrateful/angry/anxious—use fear for freedom; peer support/community for purpose.
• Tools: 7-day negative thinking DM (Instagram @headway.mental.health), 7-column thought record (reframe emotions/evidence).
• Support mistakes: Pathologize/judge; instead, normalize/validate (safe spaces, no rushing).
• Society changes: Inclusive mental health first (non-judgmental, community over segregation).

For autistic/ADHD adults in grief/isolation, Joshua's lived expertise flips "impossible" to purposeful—free 45-page stress workbook at headwaymentalhealth.com. Book 20-min consult: [phone]/[e-mail].

Subscribe for ND resilience tips! Rate/review on Podbean/Apple/Spotify. Linktree: (socials/shop/Podbean).

Holiday merch sale: 30% off tees/hoodies with code BLACK25 at https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com—reclaim your gear fierce!

#ResilienceWithoutRomanticism #ReclamationCoachingND #TraumaRecoveryAutism #NarrativeSovereigntyADHD #RadicalCompassionDisability #MentalHealthSpinalInjury #AdultingWithAutism #GriefProcessingNeurodivergent #PodMatch #Podcasts #BTSNeurodivergent #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #Autism #AuDHD #ADHD #OTTips #OT #BTSArmy

 

Episode: Resilience Without Romanticism with Joshua Dvorkin

[00:00] Intro: Life-Altering Trauma & ND Rebirth [00:30] Joshua's Story: Seizure Injury to Independent Thriving [02:00] Resilience Without Romanticism: Messy Acceptance (Feel Fear, Crush It) [05:00] Radical Acceptance/Transformation: Small Steps, Dream Big [08:00] Narrative Sovereignty: Own Beliefs (No Pathologizing, Validate Strengths) [11:00] Manifesting Concrete: Steps/Skills Import (Affirmations/Repetition) [14:00] Grief Processing: Present Gratitude, Peer Support/Community [17:00] Tools: 7-Day Negative Thinking (DM Instagram), 7-Column Thought Record [20:00] Support Mistakes: Judgment/Rushing; Instead Normalize/Validate [23:00] Society Shifts: Inclusive Mental Health, Community Over Segregation [26:00] Outro: Takeaways & CTAs

Resources:

• Headway Mental Health: headwaymentalhealth.com (psychotherapy/coaching—20-min consult, free 45-page stress workbook)
• Contact: [phone] | [e-mail]
• Instagram: @headway.mental.health
• Linktree: (socials/shop/Podbean)

Subscribe on Podbean/YouTube for ND resilience! Share your narrative shift in comments. #NDTraumaRecovery #AutismResilience #ADHDNarrativeSovereignty #SpinalInjuryMentalHealth