COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL MANAGEMENT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used primarily to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to regulate their emotions, develop impulse control, and improve their behavior as a result.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/High Functioning Autismstruggle with fears and anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy has been helpful for reducing anxious feelings and behavior by making changes in thoughts and perceptions of situations through a change in cognition.

The key ingredient of CBT, which distinguishes it from regular behavior therapy, is working on this change in cognition or how thinking is processed. Therapists seek to reduce challenging behaviors, such as interruptions, obsessions, meltdowns or angry outbursts, while also teaching individuals how to become familiar with and manage certain feelings that may arise.

CBT approaches common elements. These include a structured, goal-directed approach that is time-limited, usually taking 12-16 sessions. In which is conducted according to a specific plan and focuses on the now.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The focus has often been on those who also have anxiety because this is so common in children with ASD. Modified CBT that render it ASD-friendly, such as making it more repetitive, as well as visual and concrete.

Another strategy is to focus on the children’s talents and special interests, which helps keep them engaged and motivated, and to build in frequent movement breaks or sensory activities for those who might have problems with attention or sensory under- or over-reactivity.

CBT should also address social skills in individuals with ASD because “the core social deficits in young people with ASD contribute to the experience of anxiety, which then serves to intensify the teen’s social problems.”

CBT can be delivered in a variety of ways: individual, family, group, or even family and group. The advantage of group CBT is that individuals with ASD learn that others are struggling with the same issues, and they begin to overcome them together. Friendships and social support gained through this process may be healing in themselves.

The advantage of family CBT is that it involves parents, educating them about their child’s challenges and teaching them to encourage use of CBT techniques when real life situations confront their child. This can make them feel more hopeful and confident in their ability to contribute to positive change in their child’s life.