Counseling People on the Autism Spectrum ─ A Practical Manual

Paxton, a consultant and counselor, and Estay, a psychologist who teaches at the U. of Calgary, describe counseling techniques for professionals working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The guide is not meant to provide tools for directly treating the core features of autism or teaching behavioral skills, but gives techniques for working with emotions, cognitions, meaning making, and coping with the disorder using a cognitive behavioral framework. After enumerating characteristics and cognitive patterns of the disorder, the authors discuss counseling issues and approaches, including general strategies and modifications for cognitive behavioral therapy; depression, anxiety, and OCD techniques; relationships and social skills; stress and relaxation; and emotional expression, identification, and regulation. Case studies are provided. The book is a revised version of Paxton's master's project at the Campus Alberta Applied Psychology Program. Both subject and author indexes are provided. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Katherine Paxton has supported people with cognitive and physical disabilities for over 25 years, with a focus on autism spectrum disorders for more than half of that. As a consultant and counsellor, Katherine has provided services to families, individuals, employers, and schools impacted by autism spectrum disorders. Katherine has been researching autism spectrum disorders for over ten years, leading to her master's project for the Campus Alberta Applied Psychology Program, which has resulted in the creation of this manual. Irene A. Estay has been a practicing Psychologist in the field of Counselling and Rehabilitation for the past thirty years. She is a university professor at the University of Calgary, Campus Alberta Graduate Program in Counselling and at Phoenix University. Dr. Estay is also Seminar Facilitator, Motivational Speaker and a Consultant for Agencies providing counselling and rehabilitative services in the Province of Alberta.