Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome

Presented by Carol M. Singer, Ed.D.

Date: March 5 & 6, 2010; 9 AM - 3 PM (Check-in 8:30)
Location: Jewish Family & Children’s Service
1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA

Co-Sponsored by: Asperger’s Association of New England
and Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Description

This introductory workshop will provide an overview of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Model and present a rationale for how CBT can be used to address mental health issues like anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with AS and related issues that impact on social pragmatic skills and executive functioning. Participants will be exposed to how to plan for treatment and how to structure the therapy sessions. They will be exposed to CBT methods that the presenter has found to be useful in treating this population.

CBT is best learned by combining didactic instruction with case supervision that utilizes audio recordings of therapy sessions. This workshop will use a combination of didactic instruction, audio/visual examples of CBT theory, structure, and methods, followed by role-play practice applying the techniques that will be discussed. It is recommended that participants interested in more in-depth application of using CBT with this population consider ongoing supervision following the workshop.

  • Learn to identify and understand the basic components of the cognitive model for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
  • Learn how the CBT model can be applied to treating children and adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Learn how to structure a CBT session with children and adolescents with AS. This includes: mood checks, bridging sessions, setting an agenda and discussion of agenda items, homework, capsule summaries of the session, and feedback from the patient.
  • Learn to identify and practice CBT methods that can be used with children and adolescents with AS including: socializing the patient to the CBT model, using the modified thought record, creating exposure and in-vivo experiences, using positive self-statement logs, activity records, coping cards, and imagery techniques.
  • Learn to identify specific techniques that increase motivation and engagement tailored to particular personality styles and developmental levels. These include feelings thermometers, feelings lists, color grids, report cards, facts about...units, and a game that increases self-awareness of inflexible, stuck thinking.

Designed for: Therapists in the mental health field who are currently treating children and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and related disorders. This workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Prerequisite: A familiarity with AS is necessary since the workshop will assume prior experience with this population. It is not necessary to be familiar with CBT.

Continuing Education (approvals pending)

Must attend both days of the program in full.

Grievances: Call AANE after the workshop to resolve concerns.

  • American Psychological Association (APA) 9.5 CE credits ($20 fee) Child & Family Psychological Services, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Child & Family Psychological Services, Inc. (www.CFPSYCHo.org) maintains responsibility for the program and its content.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW): 9.5 credits ($5 fee)
  • Massachusetts Mental Health Counselor’s Association (MaMHCA/MMCEP): 9.5 credits ($5 fee)
  • A general Certificate of Attendance is also available.

Registration Information

To register, please visit our online registration form on AuctionPay, or print out our PDF mail-in form and send it to AANE.

Registration deadline is February 26, 2010. AANE reserves the right to cancel this workshop if there are not enough registrants by the deadline.

Workshop fees:
AANE member $300
Non-member $345 (includes new one-year AANE membership)

Lunch is on your own and not included in the registration fee. There are several eateries in the area or bring your own.

Refund Policy: AANE will offer refunds to participants who cancel only if we can fill your space prior to the workshop.

Directions: Log on to http://jfcsboston.org/about/locations.cfm Click on the link for directions to the Waltham location.

Questions? Please call (617) 393-3824.