Exploring Mental Imagery, Anxiety, and Trauma in Autistic Young People with Dr Alex Lau-Zhu

In this episode of NDV Podcast: Neurodiverse Voices, wewelcome Dr Alex Lau-Zhu, a Clinical Psychologist, MRC Fellow, and researcher at the University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology. Alex studies the role of mental imagery in anxiety and trauma, particularly in autistic young people—an area with little existing research but profound implications.

We discuss how mental imagery—our ability to visualise andimagine sensory experiences—plays a crucial role in trauma and anxiety, from intrusive memories to catastrophic thinking. While autistic individuals areoften assumed to lack mental imagery, Alex challenges this misconception, highlighting the diversity of experiences on the spectrum, from aphantasia to strong visual thinking.

We explore how autistic young people experience traumadifferently, why traditional diagnostic frameworks often fail to recognise their experiences, and how interventions can be improved. Can mental imagery be harnessed as a therapeutic tool? What does this mean for clinical practice, especially within CAMHS?

Join us for a fascinating conversation that bridges cutting-edge research and real-world clinical work, shedding light on new ways to support autistic young people navigating anxiety and trauma.

Dr. Alex Lau-Zhu