Counselling
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The Role of Counselling with Clients with ASD
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Traditionally, counselling has not been the focus of therapy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Both children and adults can benefit from counselling. It can provide an avenue to combine sound behavioural practices with compassionate exploration of the experience of living with ASD.
Each individual’s experiences are different and the impact of ASD on every individual and family is unique.
At Autism Counselling, we strive to provide highly experienced therapists who are able to connect with clients on the spectrum and are able to identify with and help manage the challenges faced by clients as they navigate their social world and their own anxieties.
We recognise that the ASD population presents with higher co-morbidity of mental health issues than the typical population. We work with medical and psychiatric support and provide appropriate referrals, and work collaboratively with treatment teams to help monitor the clients progress.
We have witnessed the tremendous benefit that counselling can provide to parents, raising a child on the spectrum.
Counselling can be helpful for:
Parents
Families
Individuals with ASD
Teens
Children
Siblings
Neuro Diverse Couples
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Counselling can be beneficial for individuals and families regarding issues such as:
Grief
Behavioural Issues
Schools Issues
New Diagnosis
Anxiety
Mental Health Issues
Relationship Issues when one partner has ASD.
Stress / Anxiety / Depression.
Sleep Issues.
Issues after a new diagnosis.
Behavioural Issues.
Genetic issues
Learning Difficulties
Feelings of isolation
Older children and forward planning
Sometimes children need to talk...
Children with ASD :
Children who have ASD will sometimes be confused and anxious. Counselling can help by looking at specific issues that are affecting the child, working out strategies to help the child cope, or just lend a listening ear to their struggles.
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Issues such as:
Social Issues
Feelings of isolation
Anger and aggression
Adjustment and separation
(Parent Separation / Divorce)
Transition
Sibling Issues
Worry, anxiety, depression
Self Esteem / Identity issues
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Siblings of a child with ASD:
Siblings of a child with ASD can often feel upset, embarrassed or neglected . Often counselling can help the sibling vent some of the unspoken issues and let them feel heard.
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Issues such as:
Sibling Rivalry
Guilt
Feelings of anger / frustration
Strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour
Carer Support
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Counselling can be a good way of looking after yourself.
It can provide a safe way to explore and express the feelings of the darker side of the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Counselling can provide parents with an outlet for difficult , heated and uncomfortable emotions. It can give parents a safe place to explore some of the feelings about the changes brought into their lives by the diagnosis of ASD.
Counselling can help parents to manage stress, communicate, strengthen their relationships and protect their sense of self.
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