Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome Book

Introduction     1
The Book's Intended Audience     1
Terminology     2
Mental Health Needs of Adults with Asperger Syndrome     3
Removing Barriers and Bridging Gaps     4
Origins of My Ideas     4
A Philosophy of Change     11
Defining Asperger Syndrome in Adulthood     13
What Is Asperger Syndrome?     13
How Does Asperger Syndrome Present in Adulthood?     15
Understanding the Symptom Picture in Adults with Asperger Syndrome     28
Strengths and Assets     36
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     38
Conceptualization of Mental Health Problems in Adult Asperger Syndrome     39
General Conceptual Model     39
Core Cognitive Dysfunction in Asperger Syndrome     43
Cognitive Dysfunction and Risk for Mental Health Problems     60
CBT for Asperger Syndrome     65
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     66
The Initial Assessment     67
Intake Issues     67
Diagnosis and Definition of Target Problems     79
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     96
Individualized Case Formulation and Treatment Plan     99
Case Formulation     99
Treatment Plan     109
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     119
Psychoeducation and Orientation to Treatment     120
Psychoeducation     120
Orientation to Treatment     124
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     131
Intervention: Increasing Skills to Address the Core Problems of Asperger Syndrome     132
Review of Nomothetic Formulation     132
"Habilitation" for Core Problems     133
Increasing Social Skills     135
Increasing Coping Skills     152
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     161
Intervention: Addressing Comorbid Mental Health Problems     162
Introducing the Cognitive Model to the Patient     164
Identifying and Responding to Dysfunctional Automatic Thoughts     169
Recognizing and Modifying Intermediate Beliefs     177
Modifying Schemas     186
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     192
Adjunctive Therapies and Interdisciplinary Collaboration     194
Guidelines for Referral and Collaboration with Other Service Providers     194
Adjunctive Services and Their Roles     196
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     203
Obstacles to Treatment and How to Address Them      204
Social Interaction Difficulties as Challenges in the Psychotherapy Session     204
Executive Function Problems Interfering with Homework Completion     207
Low Motivation to Be in Treatment or Rejection of the Cognitive Model     208
Family Issues That Interfere with Treatment     208
Substance Abuse     209
Isolation and Lack of Supports     210
Financial Problems     210
Untreated Health Problems     212
Polypharmacy: Multiple Psychiatric Medications without a Rationale     213
Lack of Cooperation from Other Providers     213
Chapter Summary and Conclusions     214
Ending Treatment and Looking Ahead     215
When the Goals of Treatment Are Met     215
When Treatment Is Interrupted before Goals Are Met     217
Looking Ahead for Adults with Asperger Syndrome     220
Concluding Comments     222
Therapy Resources     223
References     227
Index     237