Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)?
ASD is a disorder with a wide range of symptoms, levels of impairment, skills, and disability that affects children. These symptoms vary among children: they can be severe or mild. ASD individuals have persistent insufficiency in social communication, as well as, social interaction in various contexts. These individuals have repetitive or restricted patterns of activities, behavior or interests. In addition, these symptoms are present by the age of two.
Where has Asperger's gone (in the DMS-V)?The latest version of DMS-V has eliminated the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome; these symptoms now fall under ASD. How do you deal with difficult people?In psychotherapy, some clients might be difficult to handle, but allowing yourself to reason from their perspective, it becomes easier to manage them. Playing along their game, but at the same time sticking to the regulations of a given therapy enhances a therapist’s interaction with a difficult person.
What is the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)?
This analytical tool allows for the conduction of a structured interview with the parents of an individual who is awaiting autism or ASD assessment. What is the ADOS-Revised?
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is an autism assessment tool. It has both structured and non-structured tasks that necessitate social interaction between the subject and the examiner. Those tasks are pre-determined and are crafted by the examiner after studying the subject’s behavior. The revised edition has assessment tools for younger children. What about adolescence? Is it a period of storm and stress?
Adolescence is a challenging and yet interesting development stage that is characterized by both psychological and physical transformations. During this stage, adolescents are sensitive to their physical changes, and many dissociate from parental ties in search of personal identity. Yes, this stage has numerous challenges that call for the guidance of parents, guardians and teachers. Adolescents who lack moral support are likely to succumb to the pressures and stress that are common in this stage. How would you counsel a teen?
Any teen needs to understand that adolescence stage is not permanent; it is only a developmental stage. Then need to understand that they are not the first one’s to go through that stage. The most important thing they need to seek advice or moral support from responsible and qualified adults should they encounter challenges in pursuit of self-identity. They should also know that the actions they take will influence their future and must thus make sound choices.
What approaches might you use?
This can be achieved through:
- One on one counseling;
- Encouraging the youth to take part in co-curricular activities; this will help them stay away from trouble.
Are they candidates for psycho-pharmacology?
In some instances, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among other conditions, it might be necessary to use psycho-medications. However, it is important to begin with non-medical approaches. Medications should only be prescribed in serious mental health disorders.What about group therapy?
Yes, adolescents facing a common challenge are candidates for a group therapy. Once it is clear that such adolescents have a common problem, it would be advisable to hold group therapy. This approach will help most of them to open up and talk about that challenge. This approach will also help them learn from each other. Glasser's reality therapy?
This therapy does not depend on symptoms, but dwells on right and wrong, responsibility and reality. This approach can be employed to counsel teenagers. Teenagers are made to believe that they do not have a mental challenge, but a socially universal human disorder. Some teenagers may not accept the reality that they are mentally challenged, and using this approach will help them come to terms with their condition and begin the journey to recovery.
