Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for People with Asperger Syndrome
People with Asperger syndrome (AS) appear to have higher than
expected rates of co-morbid psychiatric disorder. The main co-
morbid diagnoses are anxiety disorders and depression, but
eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, substance abuse
and bipolar affective disorder have all been reported. Cognitive
Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is used effectively to treat these
conditions, so could it be used in people who also have Asperger
syndrome? This paper reviews important components and
characteristics of cognitive behaviour therapy in relation to
its use with people who have Asperger syndrome with reference to
the relevant literature and to feedback from people with AS. The
use of CBT in people with Asperger syndrome appears promising,
but further work is needed to evaluate its effectiveness and to
examine which particular aspects of therapy are
helpful.(Published Online December 23 2005) Key Words: Asperger
syndrome; cognitive behaviour therapy. c