Using CBT-informed formulations and intervention with young people and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism

Wednesday 5 June, 2013

Dr Jonathan Weiss, York University, Toronto, Canada

and Dr Dougal Hare, University of Manchester, UK

Location: Conwy Business Centre (CBC), Junction Way, LLandudno Junction, Conwy, LL31 9XX

The CBC is adjacent to the A55 Expressway across the North Wales coats, and free parking is available. The CBC is also a 5 minute walk away from the mainline Llandudno Junction railway station.

Places are limited, and can only be confirmed with a non-returnable £10 event fee and a fully completed booking form. Please book early.

This event is being organized and sponsored by the North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme, School of Psychology, Bangor University.

Intended participants are professionals who work, or intend to work, using psychological therapies with young people or adults with ASD. Qualified health, education, and social care professionals  (+ trainees) are encouraged to attend.

Timetable

09.30 – 10.00      Arrival and refreshments

10.00 – 12.30      Dr Jonathan Weiss workshop – Building emotion regulation skills in young people with high functioning ASD

12.30 – 13.30      Lunch and networking

13.30 – 16.00      Dr Dougal Hare workshop - What really stresses people with Asperger’s syndrome, and what can help?

Morning workshop

Emotional disorders are common in individuals with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) across the lifespan. There is substantial co-occurrence of various emotional problems, across internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and clinicians are often asked to assist individuals with ASD who do not demonstrate symptoms that map efficiently into diagnostic categories. While there exists an important and growing literature on the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders in youth with ASD, the majority of this research does not account for youth who have comorbid depression or anger problems. The current workshop builds on what is known about the treatment of anxiety in youth with ASD and presents a cognitive behavioural conceptualization of emotion regulation to inform the treatment of anxiety, depression, or anger. Participants will learn about how specific cognitive behavioural techniques can be used to build emotion regulation skills in youth with ASD.

Dr Jonathan Weiss

Jonathan Weiss, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada, and a Clinical Psychologist. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and was a research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He holds the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research. His research focuses on the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in people with autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disabilities. His research involves individuals with mental health problems, their families, and larger systems of care. He studies the impact of stressors, such as bullying or transitions, and how cognitive behaviour therapy can help youth with ASD who have mental health problems.

Afternoon workshop

This part of the day will focus on how the emerging research into ‘real world’ cognitive and emotional functioning in people with Asperger’s syndrome can directly inform both the commissioning of services for this client group and individual clinical practice. The emphasis will be on developing and using practical approaches within the framework of Small c, Big B therapy for Asperger’s syndrome (cBT-AS).

Dr Dougal Hare

-- 

Richard Hastings PhD CPsychol FBPsS FIASSIDD
Professor of Psychology

Twitter: @ProfRHastings
Blog: http://profhastings.blogspot.co.uk/

Research Director, North Wales Clinical Psychology Programme

School of Psychology
Bangor University
Bangor
Gwynedd, LL57 2AS
Wales, UK
Tel:    +44 1248 388214
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web:    http://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/research/staff_profile.php?person=richard_hastings