UTISM PECTRUM EWS TM A YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE OFS INFORMATION, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, NAND RESOURCES SPRING 2010 FROM THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS SCENE VOL. 2 NO. 4 Understanding and Accessing Clinical Treatment Services Making the Right Decision When Choosing a Psychologist By Lynda Geller, PhD, Director behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, Institute for Cognitive Diversity psychoanalytic, and eclectic, that is using Bank Street College and Asperger a little of each. The age and treatment Center for Education and Training need should be primary considerations when choosing a therapist to do individual work. Typically cognitive behavior ther- hat are the key elements in apy (CBT) is one of the most effective making the right decision approaches for children and adults with about selecting a psycholo- AS as it addresses the relationship be- W gist? There are many kinds tween thoughts and feelings and helps of professionals who may play different clients change thoughts and behaviors that roles in addressing the issues associated are not productive. Psychoanalysis and with having Asperger Syndrome. How do psychodynamic approaches may occa- individuals and families determine what sionally be useful for adolescents and type of professional is needed and how to adults with AS if they want to explore determine if that person can capably de- what led them to develop their current liver needed treatment? psychological characteristics and how they interact with important others. Diagnosis and Evaluation However, these approaches may have limited usefulness if basic skills still need Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome is tailed treatment plan and referrals to ap- Interventions Psychologists intervention, as is so frequently the case typically conducted by a psychiatrist, a propriate professionals. This article will May Provide with children and adults on the spectrum. neurologist, or a psychologist. The result review some of the considerations for Behavioral therapists tend to examine the of such diagnosis may range from, “you obtaining the treatment necessary to im- Psychologists have a wide variety of antecedents and consequences of behaviors have Asperger Syndrome,” and little in prove skills and handle problems associ- training backgrounds and approaches. The the way of treatment guidance to a de- ated with this diagnosis. most common orientations are cognitive see Psychologist on page 24 An Autism Spectrum News Interview with Charles N. Cartwright, MD Director of the Autism Center at the YAI Network By David H. Minot, BA quality of life for people of all ages with In order to improve access to our autism at a young age, and then continue to offer Associate Director ASD and their families. services, we work very closely with YAI services that maximize potential and en- Autism Spectrum News LINK (1-866-2-YAI-LINK or [email protected]), able people to be as independent and pro- Q: What is the YAI Autism Center and the intake, information and referral ser- ductive as possible throughout their lives. what services are provided for people vice at the YAI Network that provides Among the YAI Network’s more than 450 eceiving the highest quality with ASDs? current, relevant information on services community-based programs are early inter- clinical treatment services is and programs in the New York City met- vention and preschools for children from something every person diag- A: The YAI Autism Center provides ropolitan region for people with develop- birth to age 5 through clinical assessment nosed with an autism spec- families with young, adolescent and adult mental disabilities and their families. and treatment for children and adolescents, Rtrum disorder (ASD) deserves. In this children access to high level clinical as- Families who are looking for information family support, health care, adult day pro- interview, Dr. Charles N. Cartwright, sessment and treatment services. Families on how to obtain autism services for their grams, employment training and placement, Director of the YAI Autism Center at are able to benefit from our expertise in children should call YAI LINK as a first residential and recreation programs. We the YA Network in New York City, identifying early signs of being on the step; they will be asked about their con- serve the needs of people with autism spec- provides an overview of the vital pro- autism spectrum; and then access vital cerns, given information about the ser- trum disorders at each stage of their lives. grams and services provided by the YAI treatments such as speech, occupational vices they might need and helped through We also know that autism does not Autism Center and the YAI LINK infor- and behavioral therapies, as well as treat- the process of scheduling appointments. only affect an individual. It affects a mation and referral program. Dr. Cart- ments of co-existing emotional, behav- whole family — all the people who are wright also offers helpful advice to ioral, and neurological issues (such as Q: I am impressed with the range of pro- involved in that person’s life. We pro- families with young, adolescent and seizure disorders). We’re also moving grams that the YAI Network can provide vide support and information for families adult children on the autism spectrum to beyond clinical services to offer special- to people of all ages with autism and their so they have the tools they need to advo- ensure that they receive the most effec- ized socialization and arts programs. families. cate for themselves and their children. tive treatments. We are grateful to Dr. We’re bringing together talented profes- Often, we provide interventions to help Cartwright for sharing his knowledge sionals from across the YAI Network to A: We take a “lifespan approach” to all our families cope with the high level of stress and spirited optimism on clinical treat- create new and innovative programs for services within the YAI Network. We be- ments and working toward an improved people of all ages with ASD. gin with early detection and interventions see Cartwright Interview on page 8 PERMIT NO. 137 137 NO. PERMIT Effort, PA 18330 18330 PA Effort, MONROE, CT CT MONROE, 16 Cascade Drive Drive Cascade 16 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE U.S. ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION Mental Health News Education, Inc. Inc. Education, News Health Mental NON PROFIT PROFIT NON PAGE 2 visit our website: www.mhnews-autism.org AUTISM SPECTRUM NEWS ~ SPRING 2010 The Autism Spectrum News The Mental Health News Education, Inc. Editorial Board Board of Directors Cindy Alterson, PhD, BCBA, Principal and Program Director Chairman Devereux Millwood Learning Center Peter Beitchman, DSW, Executive Director The Bridge Joel Bregman, MD, Medical Director Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders Vice-Chairman North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System Barry B. Perlman, MD, Director of Psychiatry Saint Joseph’s Hospital Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, Director Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence Secretary Mount Sinai School of Medicine Peg Moran, LMSW, Senior Vice President F●E●G●S Health and Human Services System Stephen E. Freeman, Chief Operating Officer YAI Network Treasurer Lynda Geller, PhD, Director, Institute for Cognitive Diversity Alan Trager, LCSW, Executive Director & CEO Westchester Jewish Community Services Bank Street College of Education Members of The Board Ami Klin, PhD, Director, Autism Program Yale Child Study Center Constance Y. Brown, MPA, Vice President, Corporate Community Relations Institute for Community Living Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, Executive Director Peter C. Campanelli, PsyD, President & CEO Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Institute for Community Living Carmen Collado, LCSW, Director of Immigrant and Latino Services Cecelia M. McCarton, MD, Founder and Executive Director Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services The McCarton Foundation The McCarton School (for Autism) Alan Eskenazi, MA, CPHQ, Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers Judith R. Omidvaran Donald M. Fitch, MS., Executive Director Parent Advocate, New York The Center For Career Freedom Theresa Pirraglia, Co-Founder and Board Member Michael B. Friedman, LMSW Public Policy Consultant The Foundation for Educating Children with Autism Mary Hanrahan, LCSW, Government Relations Specialist John C. Pomeroy, MD, Founding Director New York Presbyterian Hospital Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Stony Brook University Medical Center Jorge R. Petit, MD, President Quality Healthcare Solutions Group Pat Schissel, LMSW, President Theresa Pirraglia, Co-Founder and Board Member Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association The Foundation for Educating Children with Autism Janet Z. Segal, LCSW, Executive Vice President Alison Singer, President Four Winds Hospital Autism Science Foundation Alison Singer, President Douglas K. Stern, Esq. Autism Science Foundation Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Giselle Stolper, EdM, Executive Director Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger, LLP Mental Health Association of New York City Richard Swierat, Executive Director Carolyn Reinach Wolf, Esq. Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger Westchester ARC Executive Staff Fred Volkmar, MD, Director Yale Child Study Center Ira H. Minot, LMSW, Founder & Executive Director Mental Health News Education, Inc. Carey Zuckerman, President David H. Minot, BA, Associate Director Autism Society of America, Manhattan Chapter Mental Health News Education, Inc. AUTISM SPECTRUM