Autism/ADHD
Autism/ADHD in Children
CBT for Children
Children experiencing Mental Health Problems or Behavioural Problems can have a difficult time getting the right support especially if they have a learning difficulty or disability. It is really important that they can understand what they are Experiencing and able to communicate this to their Parents or Caregivers.
Whilst CBT is not a cure for Autism or ADHD, therapy can help to manage and reassure adults and young people what they are experiencing is in line with their diagnosis and conditions
Children experiencing Mental Health Problems or Behavioural Problems can have a difficult time getting the right support especially if they have a learning difficulty or disability. It is really important that they can understand what they are Experiencing and able to communicate this to their Parents or Caregivers.
Autism (including Aspergers syndrome) is a lifelong disability and can be Complex. What may help one person may not help others. It is vital that any interventions are Adapted for the individual.
I have had over 10 years of experience of working with children and adults. I have worked in Speciality Services working alongside psychiatrist and psychologists.
I have experience of supporting people with Long term Health conditions, not managing such condition can onset mental health disorders which CBT can help with.
There are a range of communication-based, behavioural and educational approaches used to support people with autism such as the following
Whilst CBT is not a cure for Autism or ADHD, therapy can help to manage and reassure adults and young people what they are experiencing is in line with their diagnosis and conditions
Children experiencing Mental Health Problems or Behavioural Problems can have a difficult time getting the right support especially if they have a learning difficulty or disability. It is really important that they can understand what they are Experiencing and able to communicate this to their Parents or Caregivers.
Autism (including Aspergers syndrome) is a lifelong disability and can be Complex. What may help one person may not help others. It is vital that any interventions are Adapted for the individual.
I have had over 10 years of experience of working with children and adults. I have worked in Speciality Services working alongside psychiatrist and psychologists.
I have experience of supporting people with Long term Health conditions, not managing such condition can onset mental health disorders which CBT can help with.
There are a range of communication-based, behavioural and educational approaches used to support people with autism such as the following
- PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
- TEACCH – Treatment of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children
- ABA – Applied Behavioural Analysis), sensory integration and speech and language therapy.
The National Autistic Society states that such interventions need to be adapted to the needs of the individual and monitored.
Diagnoses suitable for Therapy
- ADHD
- ADD
- Autism
Common Mental Health Disorders
The following are common mental health disorders associated with such diagnoses
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder
- Social Phobia/Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
How can Therapy Help my child?
If your child is struggling with mental health disorders or behavioural issues then therapy can help your child by
- Working on strategies and techniques to learn to manage Anger and Anxiety
- Understanding triggers for Depression and using CBT.
- Liaising with Schools to gain better insight into learning difficulties and to implement interventions.
- Reintegrating children back into school or help supporting with stressful life events and changes.
- Supporting Families and Parents with their own mental health problems.
- Facilitating Family Therapy sessions where there is a new diagnosis
- Helping child and family that may be struggling with Disordered Sleeping Patterns.
- Treatment delivered will be adapted for individuals, this can be “Play Based” and “Child Centred” using directive or non-directive techniques to aid engagement.
Benefits of Therapy
There are many benefits for getting therapy, please read from our success story below. Therapy can help reduce anxiety, help facilitate expression and increase confidence. It can help promote positive behaviour and encourage creativity and teach others to be respectful of boundaries.
- Children who are experiencing Separation or Loss of parent and/or dealing with Parental Conflict.
- Children who have been Adopted or living in a Foster Home.
- Children that have witnessed Domestic Violence.
- Children that have experienced Sexual Abuse.
- Children who are experiencing Grief
Success Story
“My name is Alice and I am 13 years old. I was having problems in school with bullying, this made me really sad every single day and I couldn’t go to school anymore. I had thoughts of ending my life but I couldn’t talk to anyone about how I was feeling at the time. The bullying got so bad that I started self harming on my arms and thighs. My mum saw the marks and told me that I needed professional help. I started CBT and at first I didn’t know how it could help me and the bullying that was happening. The bullies got so bad they found me on social media and they started cyber bullying me.
My therapist was really good and she worked at my pace. She taught me how to challenge my negative thoughts with more positive ones, this was hard in the beginning as I was so use to thinking negative all the time but I would write it down on a paper and I could see how negative my thinking was. She also taught me a lot about bullying and why other children can be mean to others. She told me to exercise like going for walks and to start socializing with my friend. I started to feel better and started to go back to school gradually. She taught me how to handle my panic attacks and anxiety and I know now what to do when I feel anxious. She taught me how to be assertive something I have always struggled with and I feel a lot more confident now. I would definitely recommend CBT to anyone.”
My therapist was really good and she worked at my pace. She taught me how to challenge my negative thoughts with more positive ones, this was hard in the beginning as I was so use to thinking negative all the time but I would write it down on a paper and I could see how negative my thinking was. She also taught me a lot about bullying and why other children can be mean to others. She told me to exercise like going for walks and to start socializing with my friend. I started to feel better and started to go back to school gradually. She taught me how to handle my panic attacks and anxiety and I know now what to do when I feel anxious. She taught me how to be assertive something I have always struggled with and I feel a lot more confident now. I would definitely recommend CBT to anyone.”
ALICE