Counselors’ Perceptions of Competencies in the Treatment of Children with Autism

Abstract

The development of competencies specific to specialized populations is a growing area of interest in the counseling profession. The rise of rates of autism spectrum disorder in children in the United States has garnered the attention of service providers advocating for the advancement of practice to promote comprehensive, quality care to this underserved population. In an extension of these efforts, this phenomenological investigation examined counselors’ competencies in treating autism in children. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 14 counselors resulted in the identification of four themes: (a) Exposure to Autism, (b) Autism Knowledge, (c) Intervention Services, and (d) Counselor Identity. Contributions to promote services for this population in clinical practice and counselor education are discussed.

Keywords

autism children families competency counseling

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