Master Clinician Seminar 2 - Neuroaffirming CBT for Autistic Individuals: Strategies to Adapt the Formulation and Improve Treatmentl Outcomes

With the advent of the neurodiversity movement, there has been a call for clinicians to shift their understanding of autism spectrum disorder. Rather than viewing it as a disorder to be treated to normalcy, autistic individuals represent a minoritized group, deserving of adapted, neuroaffirming care. Like those with other marginalized identities, the distress experienced by autistic individuals often stems from difficulties in meeting behavioral norms and expectations. Underlying CBT formulations are similar majority-based normative expectations, which can indirectly reinforce the belief that well-being depends on the ability to conform and mask unwanted differences.

How, then, can clinicians help autistic individuals thrive in a world not designed for them? This master clinician seminar focuses on answering that question. Using CBT-based principles, Dr. Hong will present ways to adapt existing treatments and will use real-world case examples to illustrate how incorporating autism-related differences into the formulation can shift the approach and improve outcomes. The seminar will emphasize practical, concrete strategies and invite interactive discussion from the audience to inform concepts presented. Dr. Hong aims to empower clinicians already well-versed in CBT to adapt their case formulations to drive more effective treatments for autistic individuals.

Recommended Reading 1: Black, M. H., Helander, J., Segers, J., Ingard, C., Bervoets, J., De Puget, V. G., & Bölte, S. (2024). Resilience in the face of neurodivergence: A scoping review of resilience and factors promoting positive outcomes. Clinical Psychology Review, 113, 102487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102487

Recommended Reading 2: Bury SM, Jellett R, Haschek A, Wenzel M, Hedley D, Spoor JR. Understanding language preference: Autism knowledge, experience of stigma and autism identity. Autism. 2023 Aug;27(6):1588-1600. doi: 10.1177/13623613221142383.

Recommended Reading 3: Leadbitter K, Buckle KL, Ellis C and Dekker M (2021) Autistic Self-Advocacy and the Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for Autism Early Intervention Research and Practice. Front. Psychol. 12:635690. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690

Recommended Reading 4: Kroll E, Lederman M, Kohlmeier J, Kumar K, Ballard J, Zant I and Fenkel C (2024) The positive impact of identity-affirming mental health treatment for neurodivergent individuals. Front. Psychol. 15:1403129. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1403129

Outline:
Introduction
Incorporating diversity factors into treatment
Where does diversity fit in
What is neurodiversity

Training Overview
Shifting the Goal of Therapy
Disorder based CBT models
Changing the goal of therapy
Therapy as a learning context

Reframing the Autism Diagnosis
Identifying autism
Diagnostic criteria- social impairment
Psychotherapy as a neurotypical context
Diagnostic criteria- repetitive, restrictive behaviors
Case example to address differences

Shifting the Interventions
Functional behavior analysis
Creating a neurodiversity-centered formulation
Case example

Shifting the role of the therapist
Autism related differences – relevance to therapy
Advocacy in a therapy context
Advocating for patient differences
Case example