Effective Mental Health Supports For Students With Asperger's Disorder In Higher Education

This session will offer information on the importance of individualized mental health supports for students with Asperger's Disorder in higher education. Attendees will learn the therapeutic process for both individual and group counseling settings. Effective therapeutic techniques that can improve the quality of life of students with Asperger's Disorder will be reviewed. An outline of topics tailored to meet the needs of students with Asperger's Disorder living in a college environment will be provided. This session will provide the audience with information on how to provide effective therapeutic supports to individuals with Asperger’s Disorder in higher education. This presentation will include special areas of consideration during the therapeutic process such as establishing and developing a therapeutic relationship, the process of therapy, and termination. Effective therapeutic techniques that can help improve quality of life for individuals with Asperger’s Disorder will be reviewed.   This session we will also discuss the importance of group counseling and skill building for students with Asperger’s Disorder.  Attendees will be provided with an outline of topics tailored to meet the needs of students with Asperger’s Disorder in higher education as well as key points on how to lead mental health support groups.  In a higher education setting, students have access to mental health services in the community and on campus, but there is a need for mental health professionals with specialized knowledge of Asperger’s Disorder.  Typical college students struggle with an array of challenges, including depression and anxiety, but for a student with Asperger’s Disorder, these challenges can become paralyzing if not treated in an individualized manner.  The mental health support given to students with Asperger’s Disorder begins with developing rapport with the client, as any therapeutic relationship would benefit from. Students with Asperger’s Disorder need therapists to view the world through their unique paradigm, building upon the strengths and challenges associated with the condition.  Mental health professionals that recognize the condition and have the skill set to provide such individualized supports are vital to the success of students with Asperger’s Disorder.  Higher education programs dedicated to supporting students with Asperger’s Disorder are most effective when collaborating with mental health professionals.  Higher education support programs that are knowledgeable about the mental health needs of students with Asperger’s Disorder need to utilize therapists who are familiar with the condition in order to provide a holistic approach to serving students with Asperger’s Disorder.  Having a therapist that the student can trust and feel comfortable with often is the determining factor in whether or not mental health services will continue following graduation. College students with Asperger’s Disorder may have significant challenges with the stressors that are common to a campus lifestyle and difficulties with how to express those concerns to others. Social skill building groups are important for providing valuable information to assist students as they navigate a college campus.  It’s also important for providing a social network through which students can connect with others.  Supports provided through the group setting is an effective way to have students’ interact with same-age peers, practice skills, and discuss the newfound lifestyle of a college setting. Navigating the unfamiliarity of the college lifestyle is critical to student success and this session will reveal how both individual and group therapy can assist in the transition.