The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

The increase in the diagnosis of ASD creates a need for accessible and effective methods for helping this population achieve a better quality of life. Coaching is a collaborative process focusing on problem solving, practical solutions and planning. Parents, siblings, spouses, friends and relatives, teachers, paraprofessionals and others prominent in the life of the person with ASDcan function as coaches. Using goals and self evaluation a customized plan is developed to improve functioning in all areas of life. The dramatic increase in the diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder has created a need for an easily accessible and maximally effective method for helping this population achieve the quality of life they desire and deserve. Experience has taught us that, despite the atypical profile of the person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, the goals of people on the spectrum mirror those of the neurotypical. They want, as one AS adult reported, “A LIFE”, i.e., a home; meaningful and appropriate work; a significant other; friends, satisfying recreation, etc..A promising practice is coaching. Coaching is a collaborative process focusing on joint problem solving, practical solutions and applications and proactive planning. Although there are professional coaches, the coaching model along with the techniques utilized can be acquired through training by the people who live and work with people on the spectrum.. Possible “coaches” are parents, siblings, spouses, close friends and relatives, teachers, paraprofessionals and others who are prominent in the life of the person with ASD. Given training and supervision, many people can function as “coaches” or guides thereby making interventions more accessible and consistent than traditional forms of therapy. As one adult said, "historically my coaches were teachers and parents and room-mates and now my coach is my husband. " People on the spectrum know that they need guidance and frequently seek mentors or coaches. This workshop will introduce a model of coaching that is adaptable for use by different people functioning in different roles and at varying points in the life of the person on the spectrum. The factors which distinguish coaching from other models and what makes for a successful collaboration will be presented. The characteristics of the effective coach and the successful client will also be explored. Coaching, as distinguished from psychotherapy and other therapeutic or remedial interventions, has proven to be both an effective and oftentimes more palatable model for working with teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum due to its pragmatic, here and now and collegeal approach. Working from self set goals and engaging in a process of guided self evaluation (What do I want; What’s getting in my way; What can I do about it) the individual creates a personal intervention plan which matches his or her unique profile and will potentially facilitate the achievement of their goals. Attendees will be introduced to the coaching process and offered a set of tools for identifying the ways in which ASD affects and is manifested by the individual in order to construct a personal profile . Forms of assessment, designed to identify gaps in development and skills needed to attain self set goals will also be presented. Finally, coaching techniques and specific strategies will be offered for addressing under-developed skills and patterns of behavior which have, or have the potential to operate as constraints to achieving the quality of life desired. Topics addressed include issues related to self care and independent living skills, executive functioning, transitions, social and communication skills, relationships and employment as well as the personal characteristics of ASD which hinder progress.

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