Autism spectrum and associated disorders have been recognised for several decades, but the true extent of neuro-diversity in the population is only more recently becoming apparent, driven in part by popular culture raising the awareness of the features of ‘milder’ presentations.

There are many whose childhood academic achievement and ability to relate with adults meant that they drew minimal concern growing. But their social impairments, especially with peers, along with often subtle differences in cognitive, communication, sensory and motor functioning, commonly result in severe secondary clinical presentations especially depression, anxiety, ADHD and addiction. Furthermore, many get incorrectly diagnosed with a range of conditions (e.g. ADHD, social anxiety, even narcissism or worse!), and they become frustrated, depressed, and even traumatised when time after time, treatment fails because the wrong issues are being targeted.

The challenge for clinicians is that these clients have a very different cause for their presenting issues compared to their neurotypical fellows and so the usual treatment goals can be inappropriate, and best-practice therapeutic approaches are at best ineffective. What’s more, this can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness in a person whose life has been filled with stress and bewilderment as to why they just don't fit in.

Tragically, this difference in the underlying cause of their secondary symptoms is rarely recognised by clinicians, due to a lack of training wen receive around so called ‘high-functioning’ individuals on the Autism spectrum.

Workshops

This workshop aims to help clinicians recognise and support this hidden and misunderstood population through the use of video vignettes and my own personal lived experience having been diagnosed in my early 40s!

It encourages participants to reflect upon whether we should see Asperger’s HFA as a clinical disorder at all, or instead, could we view it as an essential and wonderful part of the diversity that makes up the human species

Learning goals include:

• Unpacking and differentiating the terms Autism Spectrum, Asperger's and similar disorders.
• Assisted by video vignettes, we then describe in detail a qualitative diagnostic interview covering the four broad domains impacted by Asperger's/HFA.
• Tips for how to approach a counselling session with someone with Asperger’s/HFA.
• A seven stage framework provided, including strategies for coaching, tips on ‘coming out’ working with families, building relationships, and learning emotional regulation.

​Download a workshop flyer below