Asperger Syndrome Interventions for Adults

Everyone with Asperger’s is unique and so interventions need to be individualized.

Adults come to this awareness at different ages and stages of their lives which would also impact the choice of approaches.

Be creative in the combination of interventions you use.

Simplify your life

Here are some general ideas regarding interventions for adults.

Self Awareness

Know what AS is in general and how it affects you specifically

  • Know your strengths
  • Know your areas of difficulty
  • Build on your strengths
  • Strengthen your areas of difficulty or minimize their presence
  • Read about AS from a variety of perspectives
  • Listen to trusted family or friends

Self Advocacy

  • AS is new; adults with AS are pioneers in educating others in their families, workplaces and communities.
  • Disclose strategically – only share the information that is required for that time and place
    • Consult with a trusted person to determine what to disclose if unsure

Environment

  • Physical and emotional comfort are essential to people with AS
  • Heightened sensory sensitivities may make particular environments unpleasant or intolerable. (Change lighting, decrease noise, wear comfortable clothing)
  • A slower paced environment will likely be more tolerable and allow for a greater sense of comfort and competence
  • Advocate for environmental changes at work or home; if you are more comfortable the people around you will be as well

Therapy

  • A variety of therapies can be helpful to adults with AS depending on the person
  • A therapist with an awareness of AS or interest in learning about it with you is essential
  • A Cognitive-Behavioral approach to therapy is strongly indicated
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy is generally not helpful

Work with a Life Coach

  • Assists with concrete skills building and goal direction
  • Independent Living Skills
  • Employment Related skills
  • Social skills
  • Understanding ones own AS

Job Coach or Counselor

  • Contact the vocational rehabilitation agency in your state; with an official diagnosis of AS you are entitled to service
  • Career One-Stop Centers (Federally funded centers designed to help people learn new, marketable skills, identify jobs and prepare for interviewing)

Hire people

To do the things you’re not good at which may include but are not limited to:

  • Money management
  • Housework
  • Organization and bookkeeping

Social Groups

  • With other AS adults
  • Decreases isolation
  • With practice, increases comfort with other people and may improve social skills

Interest Based Groups

  • People with AS tend to connect most comfortably around shared interests
  • Small talk is less essential in interest based groups

Support Groups

  • Meet others with AS, listen to and support one another

Social Skills or Social Pragmatics Groups

  • Attend a group where social skills are explicitly taught (often by a speech language pathologist)

Downtime is required

  • Sensory and social demands of daily life make more downtime essential for adults with AS
  • Communicate with those around you about your need for this but do not use it as an excuse to avoid participation in family or other activities

Stop the Blame

  • Blaming yourself or others is common and not helpful

Disclosure

  • Strategic disclosure can provide relief for adult with AS and promote greater understanding
  • May correct misconceptions of adult with AS

Medication

  • Can be helpful in decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety that often accompany Asperger Syndrome
  • There is no medication specifically for Asperger Syndrome