- What are the main challenges faced by a person with autism when they reach adulthood?
- In the case of people with Asperger's, what are these challenges?
- How do you face the future when you have another disorder besides ASD, such as psychosis?
- As adults, how can we know if we have ASD if we have never been diagnosed?
- Do the symptoms of ASD worsen with age?
- How can we support our children through higher education? Is the system prepared to facilitate their integration?
- How can we help a person with autism in their workplace?
- What is the role of parents when their children with autism grow up?
- Can a person with autism live alone?
- What to do when a person with autism or Asperger's becomes overwhelmed in a relationship and withdraws? How can you help them?
- What are the sexual and emotional relationships like for people with autism? How can partners help?
- What are the main difficulties in social interaction and what strategies can be followed?
- Given the difficulty of diagnosing and intervening with women with ASD, what should we take into account and what does the evidence tell us about interventions with this group by community mental health services?
- How can adult autism be differentiated from borderline personality disorder (BPD), besides impulsivity?
- How to address the incompatibility and conflicts of a mother with ASD towards a child with ASD in daily life given the rigidity and low tolerance for frustration and lack of empathy-understanding of both?
- What can be expected from specialized care when a person with ASD moves into the adult care network?
- How can you motivate a person with autism to improve their physical activity habits?
- What therapy is used in cases of people with ASD who self-harm?
What therapy is used in cases of people with ASD who self-harm?
It's crucial to understand the reason or function of self-harm in individuals with ASD. Each case is different. Some people with autism self-harm to relieve anxiety, but they don't actually intend to hurt themselves. Others self-harm in response to sensory overload, which ultimately also generates anxiety, but the goal is to lessen that sensory overload (noises, lights, smells, etc.).
A person with autism may have difficulty identifying anxiety triggers through their proprioception, especially if they haven't received a diagnosis and don't understand why certain overwhelming things are happening to them. Seeking help at this point is crucial so the person can understand what they are experiencing and learn to identify and manage these symptoms.
Psychoeducation will be key, as well as assessing cognitive behavioral techniques, sensory integration techniques, relaxation techniques and/or pharmacological treatments… (depending on the cause and severity of the self-harm).
It is important to seek help from mental health professionals who can assess this behavior and help develop an appropriate treatment plan. The therapy used will depend on the underlying cause of the self-harm and the individual needs of each person, but therapies such as behavioral or occupational therapy may be helpful.