Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is known for often appearing quite early in a child’s development. However, this is not always recognised in early life as the symptoms can vary in severity. For example, one individual may be relatively fluent with their speech and have above average intelligence, whilst another individual with ASD may have difficulties with speech and their ability to learn in school. Therefore, some people enter their adolescent or adult years and suspect that some of their childhood experiences, or even the difficulties they have faced as an adult, may be linked to ASD. On the other hand, they may have received a diagnosis for ASD and some professional support at a young age, but recently feel as though it is bringing rise to other difficulties.
ASD is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects the way individuals relate to people and their environment. Some of the difficulties that you may have noticed throughout your life include:
Struggling to put into words what you want to say
Talking about your hobbies and interests for a long time, until maybe you notice that people walk away or stop responding with interest
Finding it difficult to contribute to a conversation which you don’t want to talk about
Struggling to maintain eye contact, feel physical contact or to use the correct body language
Being told you that you are rude or unfriendly without meaning to be
Finding it difficult to understand other people’s emotions or what they mean when they say certain things
Having a strong interest in a specific thing and spending most of your time and thoughts on this interest
Facing prejudice, bullying or exclusion from your peers
Struggling with any change to your daily routine, and feeling distressed when things unexpectedly change
Wanting to experience independence from your family or carers but not knowing how
If you have experienced some of these things, it does not mean that you have ASD. There are a number of other factors which could be causing you difficulties in social relationships and day-to-day functioning, including certain negative mood states or personality traits.
Your someone.health psychologist can help you to identify whether you have symptoms of ASD. If you have already been diagnosed in the past, they can also help you to manage any symptoms that you are currently experiencing. Some approaches they may use include:
Provide you with an understanding of any autism traits and the manner in which these present and may cause difficulties
With a greater understanding of your autism traits, we can support you in managing your behaviour
Provide you with an understanding of possible triggers and methods to manage and reduce your distress
Assist you in recognising emotions and developing emotional regulation strategies
Help you to develop appropriate social and conversational skills to initiate and maintain friendships
Support you in utilising the strategies tailored for you outside of the sessions
Autism Psychologists
Meet the someone.health psychologists currently available to see new clients for counselling for autism.
Marie Parperis
Marie works with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents and adults. She has extensive experience working with people with disabilities, including intellectual disability and Autism. Marie has a keen interest working with people experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, low self esteem and interpersonal difficulties.
View ProfileBozena Zawisz
Bozena has an in-depth understanding of women's issues in society and has an interest in anxiety disorders, self-worth concerns, interpersonal and relationship issues, as well as challenges related to parenting Autistic young persons. She is passionate about mindfulness-based interventions and the psychodynamic approach.
View ProfileRobert Rusanow
Robert has a keen interest in working with people experiencing general anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, difficult life-transitions, and a lacking of meaning in life. Robert aims to support you on your mental health journey by offering a safe, approachable, non-judgemental, respectful, empathic, and appropriately challenging therapeutic environment.
View ProfileClaire Wood
Claire works with a range of clients across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Claire has a keen interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and is listed as an ACT therapist. She is also interested in Neurodliversity with an emphasis on autism and ADHD. Claire uses a trauma informed approach and uses schema and narrative therapy.
View ProfileJo Clarke
I specialise in helping people to manage difficulties arising from any of their relationships. This could be with a partner, family members, young children or teenagers. In our therapy sessions, I can help you to gain some insight into how and why you , your partner, family or children think, feel and behave. I can provide strategies that will enable...
View ProfileSimon Coyle
Simon is a qualified primary school teacher as well as a registered psychologist. Simon has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and behaviour and emotional disorders in children. He has a relaxed, easy going nature and likes to provide people with the skills to manage life's challenges.
View ProfileSharilee Williams
She has experience working with children, adolescents, older adults and CALD communities. Sharilee has worked extensively with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and with other developmental disorders. She has experience with Attentional difficulties in both neurological/biofeedback and behavioural approaches. She has also worked extensively with Anxiety and Mood disorders.
View ProfileRosa Medina Barron
Rosa strives to help clients to gain greater insight into their lives to understand and overcome their presenting issues, develop their self-confidence and make meaningful changes in their lives. Rosa provides psychological services in both English and Spanish.
View ProfileAngela Stanojevic
Angela has an unwavering dedication to helping those in need overcome challenges in their lives. Her patience, curiosity and understanding allow her to build a therapeutic relationship with her clients. She is a warm and compassionate individual who successfully connects with people to feel heard and understood. Angela approaches therapy from a client-centred perspective, creating a safe and non-judgmental environment...
View ProfileEllen Napper
Ellen has experience working with children, adolescents and young adults. She has supported these clients by working together to address a range of challenges such as anxiety, depression, Autism, behavioural difficulties, learning differences and working on building emotion regulation skills, social skills and resilience.
View ProfileTegan Anderson
Tegan has worked as a psychologist for over ten years. She has largely worked supporting children and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault and feel very passionate about human rights and equality. She is also a parent of three children ranging from toddler to teenager and hopes that adds further practicality to her support.
View ProfileDonna Collins
Hi, my name is Donna. I am looking forward to meeting you. I have a calm and welcoming manner and hope to create a space for you to feel comfortable and engaged. I have always had a passion to improve people’s mental health and work from a person-centered perspective. This means, I want to listen and understand things from your...
View ProfileSanja Cajic
Sanja's approach is positive, warm, explorative, and solution-focused. Sanja has worked with adult clients struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, chronic pain, trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, stress management, parenting issues, relationship and life transition issues.
View ProfileMichiel Gonzales
I have learned that deep and lasting change is possible, that long-term issues can be resolved, and people can be free of emotional pain they carry by making sense of difficult experiences together, both past and present, and moving towards a place of self-understanding. Michiel works with adults and adolescents using an integrative approach which is based on empathy and...
View ProfileJulian Couzins
Julian's professional style is a person-to-person clinical practice focusing on individual needs. He works in a natural and holistic style. Your personal preferences are key to the therapy that you receive. Julian delivers therapy that considers your being in the world so that you can gain positive personal relationships and satisfying personal interactions.
View ProfileWanda Little
I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you and forming a supportive and trusting therapeutic relationship that is centered on working together to create the life you wish for. I have worked extensively with young people from the ages of 5-18 and their families with the goal of always being respectful, an advocate and assisting clients to navigate...
View ProfileRhys Paul
Hi I’m Rhys and I’m a Registered Psychologist! I'm looking forward to building a supportive and trusting relationship with you that takes into account your individuality and meets your goals for therapy. I take a holistic and client-centred approach to my therapy. I have a special interest in helping clients with addiction, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders, and traumatic...
View ProfileLinh Nguyen
I am a strong believer of having a holistic approach and therapeutic relationship with clients. I enjoy working with clients who want to make changes to their behaviours or lifestyles so they can better manage their illnesses or improve their quality of life. I look forward to get to know you and be able to work with you moving forward...
View ProfileChristine Craig
I’m excited to be able to share your journey and support you as you navigate through these changing times. I believe that we are all unique in how we respond to changes and difficulties that can arise in our lives varies accordingly. I believe that you are the maker of your own destiny and that I, as a psychologist, join...
View ProfileAriana Kenny
Congratulations in taking the next step to tackling whatever it is that brought you here. I have enjoyed 20 years as a Psychologist working in a number of areas, and the one thing that ties all the people I work with is the desire for more in their lives - because they deserve more. In a judgement free space we...
View ProfileCaroline Gaffney
Caroline is very approachable and believes that positive change is sustainable, working holistically and using practical strategies, developing new skills and psychological interventions to achieve the best outcomes for you. She has been the principal psychologist and proprietor of Pure Gold Christian Counselling and Psychological Services for eight years.
View ProfileJenny Drury
Jenny has been a registered Psychologist since 2005. Jenny’s key areas of interest are stress and health management, mood and anxiety disorders, parenting, managing life transitions, executive functioning and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
View ProfileBilyana Riley
Bilyana's 20 years’ experience is vast, having started my career in nursing before embarking on study to become a Clinical Psychologist. She sees people presenting with a broad spectrum of presentations, including trauma, depressive and anxiety based disorders, workplace bullying, phobias, relationship issues, stress disorders, schizophrenia, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, personality disorders, grief and relationship issues.
View ProfileMichelle Olaithe
Michelle has extensive experience working with people with mental health difficulties with co-morbid sleep, diet, and activity problems. Michelle has a keen interest to work with people with low mood, self-esteem, anxiety, adult attention-deficit disorder, and interpersonal difficulties. She retains an active research profile into sleep disorders, mood problems, and brain dysfunction, across the lifespan.
View ProfileMichael Raphael
I’m Michael, a general psychologist with extensive experience in evidence-based psychological interventions, including CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing. I look forward to working with you toward your goals.
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