Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the term used to characterize a diverse group of conditions previously known as PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, and High Functioning Autism. ASD impacts individuals of all races, socio-economic status, gender, and intelligence.

It is often said “if you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” Although there are some similarities in the strengths, talents, and challenges an individual with autism may display, each person presents with his or her own unique interests, difficulties, and treatment goals.

Some signs of ASD can include:

• Poor eye contact
• Anxiety in social settings
• Trouble interpreting social cues
• Rigid or concrete thinking
• A deep interest in a specific topic
• Difficulty with transitions

Therapy for ASD often focuses on teaching social skills, flexible thinking, and coping skills to handle “big” feelings in an appropriate way. At Coastal Counseling, therapy is tailored to fit the unique needs of each person and family; however, we often utilize techniques from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Sand Play Therapy.