Kathleen Nash – Autism & the Family: Proven Strategies to Treat Parents and Siblings of Children with ASD

Outline

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Linking DSM-5® diagnostic criteria to real life issues
• Behavioral issues and sensory integration
• The Gift of ASD

Marital Conflict Interventions

• Communication assessment tool to measure skills and needs
• Self-care techniques to manage stress and ` build resilience
• Calming strategies for distress, conflict and depression
• Identify stages of grief and loss through
• Contextual Family Therapy
• Financial resources and supports

Parental Attachment Interventions

• Tools to measure parent/child attachment
• Narrative Therapy to re-author the family story
• Motivational Interviewing to explore emotions
• Promote attachment and increase family functioning
• Decrease conflict, resentment and exasperation

Sibling Attachment Interventions

• First person stories to identify jealousy, confusion and resentment
• Scripts, letters and art activities to increase sibling attachment
• Age-appropriate strategies to address confusion and social isolation

Family Cohesion Interventions

• Communication – Increase expressive/ receptive and verbal/nonverbal skills
• Social Pragmatics – Develop social language skills, expressing emotions and social skills
• Sensory – Sensory Integration behavior checklist
• FAQ form to address denial, insensitivity and abandonment
• “Ask Cards” to request specific help from extended family members

Navigating IDEA, IEPs and Teachers

• Special needs acts and laws
• Effective IEP goals and accommodations
• Guidelines of parental rights and advocacy
• Strategies to help parents advocate for their child
• Handout of area special needs attorneys and advocates

‘Self of the Therapist’ Experiential Activities

• Personal beliefs about ability and disability
• Disability awareness group activity

Interactive Case Study Based On Real Life Families

• Video demonstration of ASD family therapy interventions
• Ready-to-use treatment planning form