Meet Thomas Welch, Psy.D. | Child and family clinical psychologist, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Welch, Psy.D. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was a boy I had dreams of being a major league baseball player, superhero, veterinarian, “train-driver”, astronaut, and firefighter. The great thing about each of these dreams was that they were possible; All things were possible. One minute I would be hitting a game winning home-run, and the next I would be flying around the world or saving someone from a burning building. The future seemed limitless. Each day provided new opportunities for me to play, to try new roles, to imagine who I would become. Most importantly, it was fun!

As I grew older things changed. There was school and the challenges it presented, homework, and the endless number of other responsibilities that seem to accumulate with age. It became more difficult to dream limitless dreams, because the possibilities no longer seemed limitless. I realized that others were more athletic, I did not possess super powers, I was allergic to animals, and I had a tendency toward motion sickness which ruled me out as an astronaut. My life was becoming more complicated and the challenges faced more difficult.

At the same time, my parents and teachers were more focused on my abilities to spell and read, to stop talking, and…to sit in my seat. More energy was now being focused on the development of academic, and social and life skills. Like my friends, I was learning that I had both strengths and weaknesses and that in life there are limitations. I was also learning that the ability to dream was not only necessary to imagine new possibilities, but was also necessary in imagining how to get there. My dreams were still large, but were being transformed to include an understanding of my personal strengths, and strategies to assist me in overcoming my weaknesses. I was discovering who I was, that I was a person separate from my parents, that I had my own opinions, that I could be different from others but still okay, and more importantly, where I might fit in the world-at-large. It was the beginning of my journey in discovering who I was and what I might be…and it too was fun.

With the support of my parents and others I was able to take on the challenges I faced, to find my strengths, and to utilize them in a meaningful way. This opened up my world. And ultimately, this experience of facing and working through the obstacles and challenges I faced, motivated my decision to become a child and family psychologist. Today work with neurodiverse young people faced with the challenges of various learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, social struggles and anxiety, at Humanex Academy and have written a book on the subject.

This experience of learning and self discovery is universal. It is also the most challenging task we face as we grow and develop. It begins in early childhood, hits full-speed in adolescence, and continues throughout our lifetime. Easily influenced by critical words, by setbacks and by successes, its momentum is not consistent and it can often be derailed. This is especially true for neurodiverse young people.

Unlike their peers who typically experience a balance of success and failure as they grow and develop, those with “differences”, often experience much more adversity than success. Sadly this occurs despite the presence of multiple strengths, as weaknesses are highlighted and deficits limit the ability to shine. With mounting setbacks and limited success to provide balance, it becomes increasingly difficult to dream. As a result, limitations often become the focus of attention rather than dreams of personal possibility. Self discovery is avoided, and the “future” is discussed in terms of fear, dread and anxiety, rather than hope and promise. It’s definitely not fun!

Now, fully grown and working as a child and family psychologist, I have dedicated myself to reawakening these dreams of possibility. At Humanex Academy and in private practice I work with neurodiverse young people faced with the challenges of various learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, social struggles and anxiety, and have written a book on the subject. With each and every young person with whom I work I want to encourage a sense of fun in learning, and to encourage a sense of discovery as they learn to work with and around their differences.

The naturalist John Muir once said, the power of imagination makes us infinite. To be limitless in scope. Immeasurably more than what one is now. To step beyond one’s current circumstances to imagine something better – more fun. This I am certain, is what these young people need, and what we should all focus on bringing to their lives.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Humanex Academy is a middle and high school dedicated to the growth and development of neurodiverse young people struggling to find success in larger, less individualized, learning environments.
My passion for Humanex Academy is based in our philosophy of recognizing the importance of the individual, and thus, the “Human EXperience” in our approach to students. This enables us to celebrate their strengths and uniqueness, while stepping away, from an approach entirely focused on deficit remediation. Something that is critical for sustained growth and development.

Each of our students have their own specific set of goals and stumbling blocks – a stubborn individuality that resists a One-Size-Fits-All solution. The Humanex approach is about recognizing and appreciating those differences. We challenge them to look beyond their clinical diagnosis to the bigger picture of who they are and who they can be; to take pride in their personal identity and avoid the trap of comparing their progress with others.

We encourage boldness and optimism. After all, one cannot discover one’s potential if everything is approached from a defensive position. Simple deficit remediation, or focusing on “not doing things wrong,” is unhelpful for the neurodiverse student. It may feel better to avoid any chance of rejection or failure, but it leads only to self-fulfilling disappointment and diminishing returns.

Success both during and after school requires the development of initiative, motivation, determination, and resilience. The formation of these skills will not develop within a vacuum. Instead, they must be taught to experiment, make mistakes, experience disappointment, AND to rebound within the supportive environment that Humanex Academy provides. This is the first step in being able to do this in the world, and on their own. It all begins as we work with our students to facilitate the development of the key foundational skills they will need to tap into their true potential.

Our ultimate goal for each student is for them to form a more mature and optimistic sense of self that is distinct from others. One that includes an honest understanding for both strengths and weaknesses, and strategies for working with both. This we know is critical for their successful push toward finding their place in the world, and to boldly strive for the greater independence they desire.

This approach, and the growth and development I see each year in our students, is what inspires and motivates everything I do at Humanex Academy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you for asking this question. No one finds their way in the world without the support and encouragement of many others. And I am certainly no exception. Without question I have to credit my success to my parents and the foundation they provided through my formative years. Their unwavering support and encouragement of my efforts to pursue my dreams, despite the many struggles and setbacks, made all the difference. Additionally, the success we have found at Humanex Academy cannot be attributed to any single person. I work with a wonderfully talented team of professionals dedicated to the growth and development of our student population. Each brings their own unique personality, world experience, and passions to their work. Collectively they are an unbelievably effective team that is the heartbeat of everything that happens at Humanex. I feel very fortunate to work with them all.

Website: HumanexAcademy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twelchpsyd/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-w-welch-psy-d-95160226/

Other: My book, “The Breakaway: A Parent’s Guide to Transitioning the Autistic and Twice Exceptional Adolescent into Young Adulthood“, can be found at https://amzn.to/3edlupQ

Image Credits
Jeff Ignaszewski