Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
People with Asperger syndrome can find it harder to read the signals that most of us take for granted. This means they find it more difficult to communicate and interact with others which can lead to high levels of anxiety and confusion.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a ‘spectrum disorder’ because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees.
Asperger syndrome is mostly a ‘hidden disability’. This means that you can’t tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance. People with the condition have difficulties in three main areas.
They are:
Many of our greatest thinkers may have been given a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome had that been available at the time. There are many positives to the condition, but it is not an easy path through life. In my work with adults and children with this diagnosis we celebrate the positives, while paying attention to the problems which may occur.
Adults
The honesty and openness of the counselling relationship often appeals to adults with this diagnosis: there is no room for game playing, we both say exactly what we mean, there are opportunities to check out your thoughts and feelings with someone who understands. Working with any adult I like to make a clear contract in the first session, then we work together using appropriate techniques.
Children and Teenagers
I have many years experience working with children and young people with Asperger's Syndrome and other Autistic Spectrum diagnoses. This needs a flexible and understanding approach. After an initial session with the child and parent or carer to decide what would be helpful, I like to spend some time working one to one with the young person. We may use sand, art and craft or just talk according to the age and interests of the child. When seems appropriate, we invite family members or carers to attend sessions to consolidate the work. We often work in blocks of six or ten sessions, allowing breaks to allow child and family to try out techniques and see how things go, then return to work on the next issue.
Here are some of the issues which have arisen:
Family Members
Siblings, parents and partners of people with this diagnosis sometimes find it helpful to talk things over with someone who understands.
Phone: 07801961200
Email: [email protected]
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a ‘spectrum disorder’ because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees.
Asperger syndrome is mostly a ‘hidden disability’. This means that you can’t tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance. People with the condition have difficulties in three main areas.
They are:
- social communication
- social interaction
- social imagination.
Many of our greatest thinkers may have been given a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome had that been available at the time. There are many positives to the condition, but it is not an easy path through life. In my work with adults and children with this diagnosis we celebrate the positives, while paying attention to the problems which may occur.
Adults
The honesty and openness of the counselling relationship often appeals to adults with this diagnosis: there is no room for game playing, we both say exactly what we mean, there are opportunities to check out your thoughts and feelings with someone who understands. Working with any adult I like to make a clear contract in the first session, then we work together using appropriate techniques.
Children and Teenagers
I have many years experience working with children and young people with Asperger's Syndrome and other Autistic Spectrum diagnoses. This needs a flexible and understanding approach. After an initial session with the child and parent or carer to decide what would be helpful, I like to spend some time working one to one with the young person. We may use sand, art and craft or just talk according to the age and interests of the child. When seems appropriate, we invite family members or carers to attend sessions to consolidate the work. We often work in blocks of six or ten sessions, allowing breaks to allow child and family to try out techniques and see how things go, then return to work on the next issue.
Here are some of the issues which have arisen:
- Anxiety
- Making friends
- Appropriate language and responses to adults
- Dealing with obsessions
- Improving organisational skills
- Getting on with siblings
- Dealing with melt-downs
- Dealing with bullying
- Avoiding offending others
- Appropriate classroom behaviour
- Low self-esteem
Family Members
Siblings, parents and partners of people with this diagnosis sometimes find it helpful to talk things over with someone who understands.
Phone: 07801961200
Email: [email protected]