Psychological Therapies for Adults with Autism

Of the millions of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), adults represent the fastest growing segment of the population. Unfortunately, clinical research has not kept up with the population surge, leaving insufficient guidance for proper support and treatment for adults who have ASD.

Psychological Therapies for Adults with Autism aims to fill the gap between research and treatment for adults with ASD. Serving as a compendium of diverse, research-supported treatment approaches, chapters are written by internationally recognized experts and include case studies to illustrate this research in practice. Interventions featured include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and many others. In addition, several chapters explore special topics such as employment preparation and managing intense emotion. The book also outlines a range of adaptations that can enhance the accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness of therapy, equipping practitioners with more personalized tools for better treatment outcomes in adult clients with ASD.

Debbie Spain, PhD is a Cognitive Behavior Therapist, Consultant Nurse and Systemic Practitioner based at King's College London, the UK National Health Service and in Independent Practice.

Francisco M. Musich, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Neurodevelopment, and Lecturer in Psychopathology based at the Institute for Cognitive Neurology (INECO), ETCI Foundation, Universidad Favaloro and in Independent Practice.

Susan W. White, PhD, ABPP is Professor and Doddridge Saxon Chair in Clinical Psychology at The University of Alabama, where she directs the Center for Youth Development and Intervention.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Susan W. White

Chapter 2: Experiences of Psychological Therapy as an Autistic Person
David Mason, Eloise Stark, Francisco M. Musich, and Debbie Spain

Chapter 3: Systemic Therapy
Rudi Dallos and Becky Stancer

Chapter 4: Easing the Transition to Adulthood
Brianne Tomaszewski, Laura Grofer Klinger, Glenna Osborne, and Claire Brito Klein

Chapter 5: University-Focused Interventions
David Schena II, Grace Lee Simmons, Ashleigh Hillier, and Susan W. White

Chapter 6: Employment-Focused Interventions
Carol Schall, Staci Carr, Lauren Avellone, and Paul Wehman

Chapter 7: Social Skills Interventions
Cynthia I. D'Agostino and Francisco M. Musich

Chapter 8: Positive Behavioral Support
Darren Bowring and Sandy Toogood

Chapter 9: Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Xie Yin Chew, Ann Ozsivadjian, Matthew J. Hollocks, and Iliana Magiati

Chapter 10: Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Kelly B. Beck

Chapter 11: Emotion Focused Therapies
Anna Robinson and Caitlin Conner

Chapter 12: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Lorna Taylor, Ermione Neophytou, and Kate Johnston

Chapter 13: Schema Therapy
Richard Vuijk, Hannie van Genderen, Hilde M. Geurts, and Arnoud Arntz

Chapter 14: Compassion Focused Therapy
James Acland and Debbie Spain

Chapter 15: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
Naomi Fisher and Caroline van Diest

Chapter 16: Group-Based Interventions
Peter E. Langdon, Adam Robertson, and Thecla Fellas

Chapter 17: Offender Focused Interventions
David Murphy

Chapter 18: Pharmacological Interventions
Tomoya Hirota and Bryan H. King

Chapter 19: Ensuring Accessible and Acceptable Service Delivery for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Debbie Spain, Susan W. White and Francisco M. Musich