- To Feel Understood
Many people feel lonely. When people are lonely, they feel misunderstood by others. Counseling helps with feeling that someone else knows what you are going through and you are not alone. That feeling of connection can be a wonderful relief. Feeling understood is a great place to begin.
- To Learn Ways to Cope
There are a lot of ways to learn how to do the things that are on this list. Therapy is a safe place to learn how to cope and practice real skills that build on each other.
- To Make Friends
People with autism may have a hard time figuring out how to talk to someone, how to start a conversation, how to meet a potential boyfriend/girlfriend, and make friends with some supportive people who can help you enjoy life. We all deserve to feel safe, secure and loved.
- To Help with Anxiety
Many people with autism are confused about how to manage and deal with life situations. They may have been bullied. Or may find themselves ruminating, or obsessing with a specific thought that begins to take up a great deal of space in their life. Worrying a lot, avoiding people and being irritable are some signs of anxiety.
- To Reduce Sadness/Depression
How can you not feel sad when you feel like something is wrong with you, but you’re not sure what it is? You don’t know how to fit in or get anywhere, and it can lead to depression.
- Counseling Helps to Meet Other Life Goals
Some people have a difficult time going to the store and talking to the checkout person. For others, they want to move on in their jobs, and have some options in their life. What’s been getting in the way for you?
- To Learn Easy to Understand Skills in How to Get Along with Others
Our bosses and our partners in life can sometimes be unsure how to work well with us and there can be some stress in relationships. In therapy, people learn how to cope with what others need to know.
- They Have Been Misdiagnosed
People with autism are often diagnosed with other conditions that don’t really make sense. Asperger’s is not one of those, it’s just an older way of referring to people who experience autism with some more mild symptoms. The person or others in their life know that there is a better explanation and a better way to learn how to manage in life.
- To Gain Confidence
Once you master something in life, you can use that skill to go on to the next thing. Socializing, making friends, making small talk, all build on each other. Life with autism is not easy, but you can get better at managing in the world with time and become more independent and able to enjoy the world around you.
10. They are Tired
So many people living with autism are trying very hard to blend in, fit in, and know the right thing to say. Sometimes it makes it so tiring that there’s not much room for fun and enjoyment in life.
Merrie Haskins, MS, LPCC. MorningStar Counseling is a St. Paul, MN therapy practice. Merrie Haskins supports people with autism with social skills, anxiety and depression. She helps people with a comfortable, safe way to manage in their life.
