Exploring Exceptions and Discovering Solutions: A Case Presentation of Autism and the Family

Abstract

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, there is a rapidly increasing need for treatment services among individuals diagnosed with ASD and families. Currently, the majority of the evidence-based treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, overlook the notable systemic effects of ASD and maintain a problem-focused lens. There is a growing body of research calling for strength-based, relational interventions that build on existing resources to enhance coping, efficacy, and well-being among families affected by ASD. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a widely practiced clinical approach that is increasingly being used among clinicians to address the systemic effects of developmental disabilities in the family. However, particular modifications to specific interventions may better accommodate autism-associated deficits in executive functioning (e.g., goal development and impulsivity), perspective taking, or restricted interests when using an SFBT approach. This article offers recommendations for adapting a solution-focused approach by modifying commonly used SFBT interventions to address familydriven treatment goals using a collaborative stance with families of children with ASD. A case presentation is included to demonstrate SFBT as informed by the unique challenges and inherent resources of families affected by ASD that have been identified in the extant literature.

Therapy outcomes for neurodiverse couples: Exploring a solution‐focused approach

“…Our purpose in selecting this case study that evaluated SFBT as an appropriate couple therapy approach for an adult with ASD and his spouse was twofold. First, we were interested in whether SFBT interventions would have a comparable effect on client‐derived goals for adults with ASD in couple therapy as has been shown for families of children with ASD (Finlayson et al, 2019; Parker et al, 2020; ). We also sought to evaluate the use of SFBT as a clinical approach to improve general couple satisfaction among adults with ASD and their NT partners.…”

“…Christensen et al (2010) have found couple therapy aimed at promoting acceptance in the relationship (i.e., integrative behavioral couple therapy) is associated with improvement in marital satisfaction over time. Furthermore, there are recommendations for SFBT modifications that include a greater allowance for problem‐talk related to the ASD diagnosis with families of children with ASD (Parker et al, 2020). Although this has yet to be explored with neurodiverse couples, further discussion of Shelby's concerns related to Everett's ASD diagnosis (i.e., problem‐talk) may have been appropriate.…”

“…It should be noted that the assessment phase of treatment occurred over two sessions to obtain the couple's relationship history and Everett's recent ASD diagnostic information. Although such a modification of traditional SFBT may be considered problem-saturated, the ASD diagnostic history and areas of functioning are inextricably linked to their present lives (Parker et al, 2020). Table 1 includes a brief description of the main interventions used by the therapist in each session and the couple's response to the interventions used.…”

“…The aim of the present study was to explore the application of solution‐focused brief therapy (SFBT) to achieve treatment outcomes of a married couple that includes a spouse with ASD. SFBT was applied as the clinical approach due to the growing recognition as an appropriate clinical approach to meet the needs of families of children with autism (Finlayson et al, 2019; Parker et al, 2020) but has yet to be evaluated for use with romantic relationships of adults with ASD.…”

“…In recent years, SFBT has gained empirical support for use in a variety of clinical settings that are often involved in ASD treatment, including medical settings (Zhang et al, 2018). More specifically, SFBT has also been evaluated as a clinical approach that is appropriate to meet the unique, relational needs of families of children with ASD (Finlayson et al, 2019; Parker et al, 2020). Despite the application of SFBT to address the needs of families affected by ASD, there has yet to be an assessment of SFBT for adults with ASD and their partners.…”