Autism Therapy For Young Adults
Are You Worried About Your Son's Future?
-
Does your son still live with you at home? Does he spend most of his time playing video games?
-
Are you frustrated because he can't find or keep a job? Does he lack future life goals?
-
Is it hard for you to determine what is a part of his diagnosis and what is a lack of self-discipline?
-
Is your son's struggle with independence taking a toll on your marriage?
-
Do you feel lost and worry that your son will never become a responsible adult?
If any of these questions ring true, autism therapy For young adults may be right for your son.
Failure To Launch
Many autistic young men struggle with failure to launch syndrome. Failure to launch syndrome is not an official diagnosis. The concept is a reference to the 2006 romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey. In the movie McConaughey's character is an adult man still living with his parents. Throughout the film he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood. Failure to launch is the struggle transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. It describes those individuals who feel "stuck" after high school. Young men who struggle to figure out the next step into college or a career.
Autistic young adults are at a higher risk to struggle with failure to launch. Only 1/3 of autistic high school students attend college. Less than 20% of autistic adults live independently from their parents. Only 60% of autistic adults have a job. Failure to launch is a serious problem for too many young men with autism.
Autism therapy for young men can help your son
transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Common Struggles for Autistic Young
Adult Men
While every autistic young adult man is different, there are some common struggles. These struggles include:
-
Lack of motivation
-
Poor work ethic
-
Lack of self-discipline
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Low self-esteem/ Low confidence
-
Low stress tolerance
-
Looking for the path of lease resistance
-
Entitled attitude
-
Attention difficulties
-
Executive functioning challenges
-
Struggle finding or maintaining a job
-
Living with parents
-
Tried to launch (college, employment) but failed
-
Financial dependency
-
Excessive marijuana use
-
Gaming addiction
-
Resistance or refusal of help
-
Lack of insight into their behavior
-
Poor problem solving-skills
Your autistic young adult son faces many challenges.Therapy can help him navigate these obstacles.
Issues That Parents of Autistic Young Adult Men Face
When your autistic young adult struggles, it's very stressful for you as their parent. It's stressful because you don't always know what to do or how to help. Emotions range from sadness, frustration and desperation.
Families experience great conflict with an autistic young adult at home. Arguments abound. Younger siblings are stuck in the middle of the tension. Parents experience a strain in their marriage. Disagreements and an inability to enforce boundaries can lead to divorce.
If any of these resonate with you, then autistic young adult therapy can help. The structure and accountability of therapy can help autistic young adults. I can help clients better understand their diagnosis and identify their underlying issues. Once we have a better grasp of the core issues, we can develop positive coping skills.
Autistic therapy for young adults can help your family
My Approach To Autism Therapy For Young Adults
My approach is a version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps autistic young adults see the connection between their thinking, feeling and behaving. It's crucial to understand that negative thinking can change your mood. Once your mood is down this will contribute to low motivation. Low motivation will result in lack of action and this perpetuates the negative cycle.
My approach is also solution-focused. My solution-focused approach builds on my client's strengths and abilities. Each autistic client has unique gifts he can use to make the world a better place. Many of these guys hear what's wrong with them. They need a therapist that can help them discover what is right about them!
It is important to create realistic goals and to hold the client accountable. I support each client through the process of accomplishing their goals.
My approach to goals comes from James Clear's book Atomic Habits. I encourage my clients to start with the person they want to be. Once a client understands what type of man he wants to be, he can create sustainable goals. I work with clients to take small steps in the direction they want to go. Small changes can lead to larger results. Real change happens when a man acts in a manner that is consistent with his values.
My approach also emphasizes the independence triad:
-
Self-Esteem: Self-esteem refers to how we see ourselves. An autistic young adult man with low self-esteem will have low motivation. I ask my clients to develop small goals that will help them improve their self-esteem. These goals include exercise, appearance, self-talk and spiritual identity. I desire my autistic young adults to feel good enough about themselves to want to be independent.
-
Relationships: Autistic young adult men may not be as social as their peers. That's ok! They still need to cultivate healthy relationships to experience greater independence. I work with them to improve their social skills. We role-play and practice different scenarios from the real world.
-
Vocation: Vocation is an older term that comes from the Latin vocare "to call". I work with my clients to help them discover their true calling. A part of this is helping them discern what they want to for a job. The larger goal is to help my clients discover their larger purpose. I am trying to help my clients find meaning and fulfillment.
Autism therapy for young adult men can help your son discover his true calling.
Start Your Autism Therapy Journey with Quique Autrey: Katy, Tx & Houston
You and your autistic young adult son do not have to do this alone. If you don't know what to do next, please contact me and set up your first appointment. I am here to help. I can work with your family to help bring healing and hope. I'm just off of I-10 and 99. I am centrally located for those living in Katy and Houston. To start your autism young adult therapy journey, follow these simple steps:
1. Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling.
2. Schedule your first appointment with Quique Autrey.
3. Begin your autism young adult journey and start healing. Your autistic young adult is not defined by his struggles. I want him to realize his true worth and potential. I want your son to embrace a bright future. Imagine what life will look like for your son free of his struggles.
The mission at Katy Teen & Family Counseling is to restore hope, happiness, and connected family relationships. I look forward to starting this process of hope and healing with you!
Katy Teen and Family Counseling
Units 401 & 402
Katy, TX 77494
