The “Dance” of Communication: Counseling Families and Children with Asperger’s Syndrome

Abstract

Counselors are trained to deal with many issues within the realm of human experience; many specialize in helping families cope with a variety of internal and external stressors. However, counselors are seldom given all the tools to handle the myriad possible difficulties families may encounter. When counselors are asked to help families cope with a specific issue, they must take into account all of the individual member’s experience within that family and help facilitate change within the system. This “communication dance” continues in therapy until counselor and family develop appropriate strategies that work within that family’s structure. However, this dance can be difficult when neither the counselor nor the family understands what they are seeing. Such is the case when providing services for families with a child with Asperger’s syndrome. This article discusses the symptoms of Asperger’s and provides counselors with clinical strategies for working with families dealing with this disorder.