Psychological Counselling for Autism | Cadabam’s CDC

Why Psychological Counselling Matters for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Understanding the Role of Psychological Intervention in ASD

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, sensory processing, and flexible thinking. While every child is unique, many experience:

• Difficulty understanding emotions (their own and others’)
• Heightened anxiety in new or noisy settings
• Trouble forming friendships or maintaining conversations
• Repetitive behaviors that limit learning opportunities

Psychological counselling steps in to teach coping strategies, reduce distress, and expand social skills in a format children can grasp and enjoy.

Key Benefits of Early and Ongoing Counselling

Starting psychological support between ages 3–8 can:

• Lower anxiety and meltdowns: Structured coping tools reduce fight-or-flight reactions.
• Improve communication: Visual aids, role-play, and storytelling help children express their needs.
• Strengthen family bonds: Parents learn positive reinforcement and emotion-coaching skills.
• Boost academic readiness: Emotional regulation leads to better focus and learning retention.

Early sessions set a foundation, while ongoing check-ins adapt strategies as your child grows.

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Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches We Offer

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Adapted for Autism

Traditional CBT is re-framed with:

• Visual thought-chains (comic strips, emoji cards) to map “worried thoughts → calm thoughts.”
• Shorter sessions (20–30 min blocks) to match attention spans.
• Sensory breaks with fidget tools or weighted blankets between activities.

Outcomes: 73% of our children report lower test-related anxiety after 8–10 adapted CBT sessions.

Developmental & Play-Based Psychological Treatments

Play is a child’s natural language. Techniques include:

• Floortime: Following the child’s lead to build shared attention and turn-taking.
• Symbolic play: Using dolls or superheroes to rehearse social scripts.
• Sensory play trays: Sand, water beads, and kinetic sand to explore textures while talking about feelings.

These sessions occur in bright, theme-based rooms designed to feel more like a playhouse than a clinic.

Social-Relational & Communication-Focused Therapy

We blend elements of the DIR/Floortime model and the SCERTS framework:

• Joint attention games: Passing a ball while making eye contact.
• Emotion charades: Matching facial expressions to feeling cards.
• Peer pairs: Guided small-group sessions with 2–3 children practicing greetings, sharing, and conflict resolution.

Goal: Increase reciprocal conversation by 30% within 12 weeks.

Complementary Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation Techniques

Short, sensory-friendly mindfulness practices teach:

• “Balloon breathing”: Hands on belly, slow inhale-exhale with a favorite toy resting on the stomach.
• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding: Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, etc.
• Calm-down jars: Glitter bottles children shake and watch settle while counting breaths.

Parents receive printable cards to use at home or in the supermarket queue.

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How Our Counselling Process Works

Step 1: Comprehensive Psychological Assessment

• Parent interview (1 hr) covering developmental history, triggers, strengths.
• Child observation (45 min) in a playroom and classroom-like setting.
• Standardised tools: CARS-2, SRS-2, and anxiety scales.

Outcome: A written profile detailing cognitive, emotional, and sensory needs within 5 working days.

Step 2: Individualised Therapy Plan & Goal Setting

Together we set 3–4 SMART goals such as:

• “Reduce school drop-off meltdowns from 5x to 1x per week within 6 weeks.”
• “Use 3-word sentences to request help 80% of opportunities.”

Parents choose between center-based, home-based, or hybrid sessions.

Step 3: Regular Progress Tracking & Parent Collaboration

• Monthly review meetings: Adjust goals and celebrate wins.
• Digital progress charts: Color-coded graphs you can screenshot for teachers.
• Parent skill workshops: 90-minute evening sessions on topics like “Turning Tantrums into Teaching Moments.”

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Meet Our Multidisciplinary Team of Autism Specialists

Licensed Clinical Psychologists & Behaviour Therapists

Our psychologists hold M.Phil or PhD credentials and are trained in CBT for neurodivergent children. Behaviour therapists have RCI certification and years of experience translating therapy goals into daily routines.

Child Mental Health Counsellors & Developmental Experts

Occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and special educators meet weekly to review each child’s file, ensuring therapy is integrated—no conflicting advice.

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Comparing Psychological vs. Other Autism Interventions

Psychological Counselling vs. Behavioural Therapy (ABA)

Pros and Cons of Each Approach

• Psychological Counselling

  • Pros: Targets internal states like anxiety, fosters self-advocacy.
  • Cons: May progress slower for daily living skill building.

• ABA

  • Pros: Rapid gain in specific tasks (toileting, greeting).
  • Cons: Less emphasis on emotional insight, can feel repetitive.

When to Combine Multiple Treatments

Children showing both severe behavior challenges and high anxiety benefit from:

• 6-month combined plan: ABA for morning routine mastery, psychological counselling for coping with change.
• Shared data dashboards: Both teams log triggers and successes in one app.