Autism informed therapy – What do we need to know? with Karen Prouton on Saturday October 28, 2023 in North Baddesley Village Hall

This workshop will be  from 10 am to 4pm. £40 to members, £50 to non members. To pay by bank transfer, HACP sort code is 090151 and account number is 43775502  To access the generic day training application form, please click on Training Days and Conferences on the home page and you will then find the form at the bottom of the page.

Karen, a counsellor in private practice and an NHS senior practitioner, has a background as an Occupational Therapist working with autistic adults and those with sensory processing differences. She now undertakes diagnostic autism and sensory processing assessments in the Southampton Autism Assessment Service. Her practice focuses on supporting autistic young people and adults, recently offering private autism assessments and post diagnosis support. Her particular interest is in females and autism, and how autistic people experience identity (the focus of her recent Masters’ Degree). Karen is looking forward to sharing her experience and learning with us.

Studies shows 2.8% of the population (and rising) have autism. Therapists may have a number of autistic clients, plus those with other neurodivergent diagnoses. Research and opinions are evolving quickly, with the voices of autistic people figuring prominently. The day will provide an opportunity to understand the needs of autistic clients and how to effectively support them. The focus will be on an affirmative approach. Autism is not a disorder but a difference.  

Karen’s outline for the day includes:   

• What is autism?- current thinking and paradigms 
• Diagnosis – is it important, as is how diagnoses are made
• Key characteristics of autism and how they can be  understood by therapist and client
• Sensory processing – how sensory hypersensitivities can impact the client in and out of the    therapy room, and how therapists can support clients in how to manage them
• Autistic burnout – how to understand its relationship to depression and so support clients through burnout and help prevent future episodes
• Autism and identity – a different way of seeing ourselves
• How to support a client who you believe may be autistic 
• Sharing the resources I use, and those that clients have developed (all shared with their permission) – an opportunity to swap ideas! 
• Discussion time in which to share and explore our ideas, questions and experiences