Why is it so difficult to hypnotize autistic people? Is it because they can’t concentrate on one point or is there another cause? Is it possible that they have difficulties with becoming a trance as a result of their inefficient mirror neurons?
I would have to guess that it might have something to do with sensory processing issues. Too much stimulation from the environment (sound, smell, touch) would impede on the ability to focus thought. Attempting to direct the person’s attention inward until all they hear is what you want them to hear would be difficult under these circumstances.
Hi Betsy, thank you for your vision on this question. I think you are right in case it goes about the more ‘cognitive’ suggestions. But I do not understand why we cannot get autistic people in a trance because there is also something as a induction by confusion (I do not know the proper term in English) The more because a lot of autistic people make on me the impression to induce a self hypnosis / trances by repeating the same movements and or sounds.
I think the autistics have the basic problem in attending to the environmental stimulus (any type and form) due to the sensory issues ,they are preoccupied with their own internal sensory processes .hypnosis needs one to concentrate on the stimulus provided ,but the autistics is more deviated on one or more external forms of presentation of the command etc.
Hello Meenakshi Batra,
Thank you for your answer. I noticed in your other answer that you use pediatric massage. As you maybe know massage is an powerful method to stimulate the production of oxytocin. Not surprisingly you mentioned exactly the characteristics of oxytocin (is soothing ,relaxing and pain relieving)Richard Bryant and Lynette Hung (2011) find that oxytocin is a moderator of hypnotizability. I should be very happy to know if massage on autistic children also enhanced the production of oxytocin. If that is the case… well you will understand my point. My question to you is do you have experiences with massages on autistic children and with what results. If you are not familiar with these facts perhaps you know maybe where I can find them?
Thank you , Johan
Does anyone have or know of any data? Are autistics harder or easier to hypnotise?
There is a chapter entitled, “The Utilization Approach to Treating Depression in Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.” In Hypnosis and Treating Depression: Applications in Clinical Practice (Michael Yapko, editor, 2006). He and his wife both have experience with helping Autistics with hypnosis.
I ran across this question tonight, and do remember working with two children with medium autism. We used a light-sound machine (beeping and blinking in pattern along with music) to help with entrainment. The children did enjoy the sesson, and relaxed quite well and the parents reported better control when the children were spoken to. Unfortunately there was not insurance coverage and the families could not pay.
I have engaged autistic communities using drama and Clean Language approaches. Given time they can go over into a metaphorical landscape, and experience elements of a waking trance.
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