Autism Therapy
Do You Suspect You Or Your Child Are On The Spectrum And Could Benefit From Additional Support?
Are you or your child neurodivergent and struggling to fit into the neurotypical world? Does your daily routine often feel overwhelming? Because it’s difficult for you or your child to discern others’ feelings, does it prevent you from forming close relationships?
If you or your child have been diagnosed with or suspect you have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can feel like the world wasn’t designed with you in mind. Despite excelling in some talents and abilities, you or your child may feel cut off from others, unable to get close and feel fully accepted for who you are. Perhaps you feel anxious or out of place in social situations, leading to a sense of loneliness and bringing down your self-esteem.
Simply navigating routine activities might become too much to handle, causing fits of anger and frustration. Without the skills to regulate emotions and stay focused, you or your child may easily become unraveled and thrown off task.
Pressure To Conform Could Be Causing Anxiety Or Depression
As someone with ASD, you might feel like you’re under constant pressure to conform to societal expectations or mask your neurodivergence, especially at work or school. As a result, you may experience shame, anger, or resentment for having to hide who you are. Perhaps you wish you had the support not only to make living with ASD easier but also to find resources that honored and appreciated your neurodivergence.
The good news is Autism therapy can help you develop skills to navigate the neurotypical world without having to sacrifice yourself in the process. Rocky Mountain Counseling offers Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA), an effective therapy for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Adults And Children Alike Live With Autism And Neurodivergence
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, “About 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).“ [1] And according to statistics gathered in 2017, “An estimated 5,437,988 (2.21 percent) adults in the United States have ASD.” [2]
ASD doesn’t discriminate—it has been reported to occur within all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. However, for reasons that are not clear, ASD is nearly 4 times more common among boys than among girls. [2] Luckily, a lot has changed from one generation to the next, and ASD is being detected sooner than it once was. However, adults who never received a diagnosis or treatment as children could experience more challenges.
We Still Have A Lot To Learn About Autism And Neurodiversity
While in recent decades, we have learned more about Autism and the neurodiverse brain, there is still much to discover. Although the stigma surrounding neurodiversity continues to improve, more work needs to be done to acknowledge and appreciate the gifts that people living with ASD possess. Although people on the spectrum often end up in careers where their raw talent can shine through, when navigating life milestones—such as career advancement, dating, marriage, or parenthood—they become aware of how differently they relate to the world.
We understand how neurodiversity can impact not only the individual but their loved ones as well. That’s why our approach to Autism therapy considers your support team and includes them in counseling sessions whenever appropriate.
Autism Therapy Offers Skill-Building And Support To Children And Adults
For anyone with Autism or a neurodiverse brain, it can feel discouraging and invalidating to be expected to conform to a neurotypical world. Having a support system that can help you work through challenges, celebrate successes, and feel empowered by recognizing your gifts is an effective approach to building a life worth living.
Working with a neurodivergent-affirming therapist can help you identify your needs and goals so you can thoughtfully and purposefully navigate life’s challenges. Along with other resources, Autism therapy for children and adults provides a holistic approach to meeting your goals, ensuring you have the skills, tools, and strategies you need to thrive in the neurotypical world. We will help you create a lifestyle that honors your values and goals as well as acknowledge your unique strengths, talents, and abilities.
What To Expect From Autism Counseling
We won’t offer you or your child a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, therapy will be tailored to address your social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Your treatment plan may include developing skills that support positive and loving relationships, such as improved communication and social function. Depending on what you struggle with, we might focus on teaching life skills to navigate daily routines, expectations, and responsibilities. Or we might work on self-care to help you better understand—and more deeply appreciate—your unique perspective of the world.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA ) For Autism
Our therapists are trained in modalities for high-functioning autism treatment, such as ABA, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Motivational Interviewing approach. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic modality that can help teach adults and children with ASD—or other challenges individuals with neurodiverse brains face—practical life skills. ABA therapy can improve social, learning, communication, and practical life skills by reinforcing positive behaviors and working to decrease challenging, interfering, or disruptive behaviors that may hinder reaching your goals.
With CBT, you will develop better coping strategies to help alleviate anxiety or depression associated with Autism or neurodiversity. ACT and Motivational Interviewing help identify your core values and connect them with your goals so you can live a more empowered life.
As counselors who specialize in working with individuals with Autism along with their families, we want to help you flip the script on neurodivergence. Acknowledging and embracing what makes you different can become your greatest strength. With the right support, you can effectively navigate your world, live in alignment with your values, and move towards your goals with newfound confidence.
But Maybe You’re Not Sure If Autism Therapy Is Right For You Or Your Child…
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At Rocky Mountain Counseling, we do not pathologize clients. While sometimes a diagnosis can be helpful and empowering, in other instances it creates an unnecessary label that becomes a hindrance. Partnering with a neurodivergent-affirming therapist will validate your experience, allowing you to move beyond the “autism” label so you can create a plan that focuses on your goals and values.
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Each client’s needs and goals are unique. We will work together to develop a tailored plan that outlines an initial timeline for autism therapy services and a process for ongoing assessment and treatment. We work collaboratively with you and anyone else on your team to ensure you are receiving the right resources to empower your life. For example, utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy can comprehensively help build and develop your communication and social skills to improve relationships while also broadening your skillset to navigate daily challenges.
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Much of therapy is about the relationship you form with your therapist. In neurodiverse therapy, you’ll be educated about the therapeutic process, and how we ensure a strong therapeutic alliance is established before delving into the difficult experiences you’ve had. Although your autism therapist will bring valuable education and training into the therapeutic process, it’s important to remember that you are the expert in your life. You know better than anyone what you need to thrive—your therapist will offer their expertise to support you in achieving your goals.
Let Us Be A Resource For You On Your ASD Journey
If you or your child could benefit from autism therapy, Rocky Mountain Counseling can help. Call 720-252-0345 or email today to set up an appointment at our Denver practice. In your free 30-minute phone consultation, we can answer questions and set up an initial meeting to discuss the benefits of neurodivergent counseling and working with an autism counselor.
We offer our autism therapy services in-home/in-community, along with in-person visits at our offices or telehealth. Be advised that autism therapy services at our practice are not eligible for private health insurance—we accept private pay or Medicaid (DD/SLS waivers) for payment.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
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