COUNSELING ADULTS WITH ASPERGER‟S - School of Health ...

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Counseling Asperger‟s 42 mapping to other methods of recall. The researchers did point out that some students will need more structure than others when completing a concept map, and providing a starting point (usually a title) is often necessary to provide a structural foundation and reduce anxiety about where to begin (Roberts & Joiner, 2007). Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors The following section will review counseling techniques to use when working with clients with Asperger‟s, as well as specifics on how to meet educational and vocational support needs. Rehabilitation Counseling Techniques Clients with Asperger‟s are likely to derive more benefit from counselors who provide structure, directions, information, and suggestions than counselors who rely on reflection, emotional encouragement, and support while clients develop their own solutions to problems. It follows that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which, as previously described, has been adapted for Asperger‟s and combined with psycho-education to enhance social and empathy skills, has potential to be effective with this population. CBT is theorized to be a more effective therapy than psychoanalysis and other psychotherapies that stress symbolic constructs, introspection, and interpretation (Attwood, 2003; Cardaciotto & Herbert, 2004). Challenges Individuals with Asperger‟s are likely seeking therapy as a result of pressure or encouragement from others in their lives. If things are not going well at home or at work, family members may suggest the individual seek counseling. Reaching out for help is not a common reaction to difficulties of people with Asperger‟s (Ramsay, 2005).
Counseling Asperger‟s 43 An effective therapeutic relationship is vital to effective counseling. However, it is difficult to form this relationship with someone whose primary deficits are in understanding and engaging in social relationships (Ramsay et al., 2005; Hare & Flood, 2000). As previously discussed, individuals with Asperger‟s have poor communication skills, making interpretation of their verbal and non-verbal cues difficult. Clients may have poor eye contact, poor voice modulation, inappropriate affect, or other idiosyncratic communication tendencies. Perseverating on one topic or making odd metaphors is not uncommon. On the other hand, the therapist must be aware that some comments made by clients should be taken entirely literally (Ramsay et al., 2005). Techniques for Successful Therapeutic Intervention Forming a relationship with clients, understanding them, and gaining their trust is often the most difficult part of therapy. When working with someone with Asperger‟s, Ramsay et al. (2005) suggest make a concerted effort to enter the world of the client. Learn about their inner experiences. Ask about their interests and hobbies; have them explain their metaphors or media references (Ramsay et al., 2005). Find out what idiosyncratic ways of expressing thoughts and emotions the client uses, so that you, the therapist, can also use these specific names of symptoms and experiences (Anderson & Morris, 2006). Speaking to a stranger is a daunting task for those with Asperger‟s, if you ask them to talk about something familiar, it will likely significantly lower their anxiety levels. Another good starting point is to invite someone close to the client to one of the initial therapy sessions. This will help the counselor to obtain more objective information about the client‟s functioning. (Ramsay et al., 2005). Perhaps even recruit this person as a “co-therapist.” This is someone who the client will communicate his or her goals to, and will help him or her to
Page 1 and 2: Running Head: COUNSELING ADULTS WIT
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS Counseling Asperg
Page 5 and 6: LIST OF FIGURES Counseling Asperger
Page 7 and 8: METHODOLOGY Electronic Search Couns
Page 9 and 10: LITERATURE REVIEW Psychological and
Page 11 and 12: Counseling Asperger‟s 11 When com
Page 13 and 14: Counseling Asperger‟s 13 Of parti
Page 15 and 16: Co-Morbid Diagnoses Counseling Aspe
Page 17 and 18: DAMP Counseling Asperger‟s 17 DAM
Page 19 and 20: Counseling Asperger‟s 19 with Asp
Page 21 and 22: Counseling Asperger‟s 21 when ple
Page 23 and 24: Counseling Asperger‟s 23 person.
Page 25 and 26: Counseling Asperger‟s 25 ability,
Page 27 and 28: 4: Interpersonal problem-solving Di
Page 29 and 30: Counseling Asperger‟s 29 Informat
Page 31 and 32: Counseling Asperger‟s 31 characte
Page 33 and 34: Counseling Asperger‟s 33 Sims, in
Page 35 and 36: Counseling Asperger‟s 35 2. Worki
Page 37 and 38: Counseling Asperger‟s 37 working
Page 39 and 40: Counseling Asperger‟s 39 Results
Page 41: Counseling Asperger‟s 41 often at
Page 45 and 46: Counseling Asperger‟s 45 The use
Page 47 and 48: Counseling Asperger‟s 47 American
Page 49 and 50: Counseling Asperger‟s 49 are held
Page 51 and 52: Counseling Asperger‟s 51 being re
Page 53 and 54: Counseling Asperger‟s 53 Before r
Page 55 and 56: Counseling Asperger‟s 55 expresse
Page 57 and 58: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Counseling
Page 59 and 60: REFERENCES Counseling Asperger‟s
Page 61 and 62: Counseling Asperger‟s 61 Dunn, W.
Page 63 and 64: Counseling Asperger‟s 63 Hillier,
Page 65 and 66: Counseling Asperger‟s 65 Mesibov,
Page 67 and 68: Counseling Asperger‟s 67 Stoddart

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