Autism Spectrum Disorders
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or distress (DSM-5, 2022).
Why do we say autism is on a “spectrum”?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) related symptoms are experienced and perceived differently by
all persons with the diagnosis.
One possible reason as to why an individual’s experience with ASD is highly individualized may be due to disrupted, or dysregulated, emotional coping processes (Conner et al., 2020; Reyes et al., 2020; Mazefsky & White, 2013). Various cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions that specifically target dysregulated emotional processes have been found to be effective in providing those with autism spectrum disorder, Level 1, with adaptive strategies to self-regulate internal affective experiences.
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Throughout the process, you will learn to use the nonverbal language of creativity to communicate your inner feelings.
