FAMILY SUPPORT

At Spectrum Center, we understand the vital importance of supporting the entire family. Autism affects all family members, and not just the individuals with the diagnosis. Accordingly,we often work with an entire family, couples, and/or siblings.

Family Therapy

Family therapy can include an entire family, individuals within a family, or a couple.  In family or couples therapy, change is viewed in terms of the systems of interaction among family members.  The focus is what goes on between individuals rather than within one individual.

Sibling Programs

There has been research demonstrating that often, siblings experience the most significant impact of autism within a family.

Siblings often experience:

• Anger
• Guilt (for their anger)
• Embarrassment
• Isolation, Loneliness, Loss
• Resentment
• Envy (of their friends’ “normal” sibling relationships)
• Over-identification (wondering if there is something wrong with them too)
• Pressure to achieve
• Increased responsibilities

Alongside a vast array of difficult feelings, most siblings also have fierce devotion. They are often more empathetic toward differences in others, more compassionate, and more likely to have some philanthropic or professional involvement helping others. Sibling support can come in the form of individual therapy, family therapy, or sibling support groups. In these formats, siblings benefit from have their feelings validated, understanding that these feelings are universal and working through the emotional challenges with which they are presented.

Couples Therapy

Couples who share a child on the autism spectrum experience a host of significant stresses that contribute to the high prevalence of divorce within this population. Why do couples divorce? The reason that couples divorce is fourfold: Criticism, Defensiveness, Stonewalling and Contempt, or what John Gottman calls, "The Four Horsemen." Criticism, Defensiveness, Stonewalling, and Contempt are highly predictive of early divorce. Our therapists use the scientific research-based Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, through which we teach couples the antidotes to the Four Horsemen. We work collaboratively with our clients to discover new ways to resolve conflict, increase intimacy, and establish new hope within the relationship. We use a multi-faceted approach that includes building on strengths, defining realistic expectations, and improving communication and listening skills.