Brief Education About Autism Spectrum Disorders for Family Therapists

Abstract

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is on the rise, and family therapists are increasingly likely to encounter clients who have some form of this disorder. There is emerging evidence that professionals, including family therapists, may misdiagnose the condition or that proper diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. Thus, professional education about ASDs is important. In addition to the effects on the diagnosed individual, ASDs have significant impact on the family system. Family-centered interventions constitute a crucial piece of a multifaceted treatment plan, and there is a call for family-centered intervention and support services. To support family therapists in becoming more informed and effective members of treatment teams, this article provides an overview of Asperger's disorder and autism, with a focus on definitions, assessment, and individual treatments of ASDs. Ways in which ASDs have impact on the family are then identified, and specific issues relevant to family treatment are discussed.

Keywords:

• autism
• autism spectrum disorders
• Asperger's disorder
• family therapy

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I thank Thorana Nelson, PhD, Utah State University, for her feedback on a previous version.