Counselling Autistic Adults: The Autistic Experience

Counselling Autistic Adults: Understanding the Complexity of the Autistic Experience

Autism can be seen in many ways as a type of culture, with different ways of communicating, relating and doing life. Many counsellors do not feel confident in working with Autistic adults or adapting their counselling practices to suit the needs of Autistic adults. This is an underserviced population in the counselling space, with a lot of focus existing on the needs of Autistic children and/or with a very deficit approach. This has led to Autistic adults experiencing ineffective or even harmful treatments. Additionally, many Autistic adults are put into the position of providing education to their mental health professionals about autism.

This is a 2hr live online interactive workshop for counsellors + other allied health professionals, filled with hands on strategies to make your counselling culturally competent and neurodiversity affirming.

• Learn about co-neurodivergences, and how gender and sexuality can present in Autistics
• Neurodiversity-affirming ways of using polyvagal theory affirming
• Develop cultural competence for Autistic adults

In this training, you will learn about common co-neurodivergences that may impact on the counselling process and interact with autism.  These include neurodivergences such as ADHD, alexithymia, aphantasia, misophonia and others, as well as different presentations of gender and sexuality. 

We will look at how to apply polyvagal theory and how masking can be conceptualised as an automatic threat response. You will also learn how to develop a plan for unmasking safely that takes into account the needs of the individual. 

Lastly, we will look at Autism as being a culture and examine common communication differences between Autistics and allistics, including examining the double empathy problem. We will look at how counsellors can use different ways to communicate, as well as other adaptions that they can make to practice in a culturally competent way.

WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR

This training has been designed with counsellors and psychotherapists in mind.  But anyone who regularly works with Autistic adults or uses counselling skills as part of their profession will benefit from this training.  

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the workshop you will be able to: 

• Develop an understanding of the complex interaction between co-neuro divergences and Autism and the presentation of gender and sexuality in Autistic adults.
• Adapt your understanding of polyvagal theory to apply it in a neurodiversity affirming way and have practical strategies to help Autistic adults up and down regulate
• Understand autism as a culture and develop cultural competency in working with this group

FEATURES OF PRESENTATION 

This is an interactive and hands on online workshop where you will gain knowledge, and practical advice and strategies to work with Autistic adults in a safe and effective way.  Combining in depth theory with experiential work and providing ample examples this online workshop will help you learn skills for creating more neurodiversity affirming practices to suit Autistic adults.

• Engaging & evidence-based content
• Hands on activities designed to deepen your learning experience
• Lots of practical examples and strategies

COST

I have tried to keep the costs low by keeping extras to a minimum.  You can add on extras as suited to your budget.  

Optional extras

1.  Online resources  
   • 100+ page resource pack delivered to you digitally to download
   • Includes copy of the slides & worksheets referenced in the presentation
   • Online resources are sent before the workshop
      
2.  Hard copy of resources 
   • 100+ page resource pack printed in colour in a folder, shipped to your address

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

After the workshop, you will be sent a quiz. You will need to score at least 80% in this quiz to receive a certificate of completion. You can have multiple attempts at the quiz.

CLAIMING OPD POINTS 

ACA

You can claim this as a workshop through the ACA for 3 OPD points.

PACFA

You can claim this as Category A CPD.

ACA OPD points & PACFA CPD hours will be listed on the certificate of completion.

Other associations

Please check with your association if you can claim this training as part of your professional development.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

I am an AuDHD therapist, supervisor, writer & educator, working in Canberra.  The focus of my counselling work is working with Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD adults as well as people recovering from trauma.  This often involves supporting adults through the late diagnosis process for autism & ADHD, as well as providing support through the post-diagnosis phase.   I also provide clinical & professional supervision to other Autistic counsellors or those who work with Autistic adults.   I also train and provide consultation to organisations on providing neurodiversity affirming services

Read more about me here

Contact Event Organiser

WORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS

Please note that you'll need access to the following to participate in this workshop:  

• Desktop or laptop computer  

• Reliable internet connection  

• Headphones recommended  

• Microphone/speakers  

• Webcam 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Workshop 

• Cancellation with more than 48hrs notice - refund of 80%
• Cancellation with less than 48hrs notice - no refund available 

Resources

• If resources have not yet been dispatched a 100% refund is available