Have you or someone in your family been diagnosed with AUTISM or ASPERGER’S SYNDROME?

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for information and truly effective solutions?

Few things are more difficult than the impact of an Autism Spectrum Disorder on the life of the individual and their loved ones.  You want emotional support, along with a knowledgeable partner who is a specialist in this field. You deserve a caring professional who will help identify your needs, develop a treatment plan, and be a caring part of your support team.

I am that specialist, and my goal is always to assist you or your child in learning ways to deal with troubling behaviors, address any school or work problems, and help you navigate the many resources available for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Services provided:

Counseling

I use a variety of methods to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders get control of persistent anxiety, reduce anger responses, and learn to communicate more positively with others. These include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, relaxation training, mindfulness instruction, positive communication, and conflict resolution skills training. Clients come away from therapy with a “toolbox” of strategies to use in their daily lives.

Consulting

My approach to working with parents and schools is holistic and stresses a team approach. I encourage families and schools to work together as the student’s “support team” with the goal of assisting the student to reach his or her full potential. In this role, I frequently attend IEP conferences and assist parents in advocating for their child. I also provide classroom observations of your child, make recommendations to support your child’s learning goals, and provide consultation to school staff when requested.

Social Skills Training

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders often have challenges related to social skills. I work with children and adults with spectrum disorders to learn communication tools that will help them become better ‘social thinkers’; this includes use of ‘Social Stories’, perspective-taking activities, and visual tools.  My approach is based on a Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach and is partly based on the works of Jed Baker, Tony Attwood and Michelle-Garcia Winner.

Parent Support

Children with spectrum disorders often present behavioral challenges to parents that are difficult to deal with on a daily basis. I offer a fresh look at current parenting strategies and help parents determine what’s working and what’s not. We team to explore different techniques to provide positive support to their child, while also learning stress management strategies parents can use in their own lives, enabling them to be more effective and be the parents they really want to be.

Nothing improves on its own. Let’s get started

Deborah Carnett ۰ 509 12th Avenue SE, Suite 18  ۰ Olympia, WA 98501 

(360) 870-2130