Developing A Therapeutic Relationship With Clients Diagnosed With Asperger's Disorder

Research demonstrates that talk therapy, particularly therapy carried out within the Cognitive-Behavioral theoretical construct, can assist in improving life quality for individuals with ASD. This presentation focuses on developing a therapeutic relationship with clients diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder and the use of CBT techniques to build rapport, skill build, and inspire insight with that client population. Challenges exist with using talk therapy to help improve the lives of individuals diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder. Those challenges are made more complicated, however, by the misunderstanding held by professionals about the condition, and by a lack of training in how to build rapport and inspire insight with clients who struggle with social communication. This presentation addresses myths that exist about the use of talk therapy with this client population, presents reserach on the effective use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with clients diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder, presents case studies and applied practice of the effective use of talk therapy, and demonstrates the vital role social inclusion plays in mental health.