Video transcript

Carolyne Jones (behavioural psychologist): Psychologists can support children with autism spectrum disorders in a variety of ways including skills training, behavioural techniques and coping skills for regulating emotions, all with the aim of optimising the child’s functioning in a variety of settings whether it’s at home or at school or child care, or just in the wider community.

We know that children with autism can have particular difficulties identifying emotions in other people and as well as themselves and expressing it in an appropriate way.

Some children with autism can become overwhelmed with a particularly difficult emotion. Things like anxiety and anger can be difficult to manage within themselves and this is something that psychologists can help the child and the family develop more effective strategies with experiencing those emotions.

One of the main approaches that is evidence based in the psychology literature is called cognitive behavioural therapy. This looks at a changing the way that you think and behave to impact on how you are feeling.