Raising Awareness of Asperger Syndrome

Trainer: Maxine Aston MSc

Date: Friday 13th July

Location: Birmingham

Duration: 10 - 4

Overview

A workshop to increase the understanding of this complex disorder and develop useful methods and strategies for working on the communication and the relationships of individuals and couples when one is affected by Asperger syndrome.

Workshops are interactive and offer a balanced combination of activities, learning and discussion. The workshop is sensitively paced to meet individual needs and there will be time allowed for having questions answered.

Objectives:

• To increase understanding in what Asperger syndrome(AS) is and is not.
• To increase the possibly of recognising an individual with the disorder.
• To understand what is Theory of mind and Alexithymia.
• To be able to offer different ways for clients to describe feelings.
• To practice in role plays in Communication.
• To increase understanding of the Autistic Spectrum.
• To enable Signposting not diagnosing

Course structure:

discussions/PowerPoint/video/role play/exercises

Aimed at:

 Therapists, counsellors, psychologists who might find themselves working with individuals and couples affected by Asperger syndrome

Trainer Biography:

 Maxine Aston is a BACP accredited counsellor and has an MSc in Health Psychology. Maxine is a Relate trained couple counsellor and worked with Coventry Relate for eight years. She now runs her own Counselling Centre where she specialises in working with individuals, couples and families affected by Asperger syndrome. Maxine is one of the few professionals working with both adults and adolescents. Maxine also offers assessments for adults wishing to discover whether they are affected by Asperger syndrome.

Maxine is the author of three books, 'The Other half of Asperger syndrome' (2001, National Autistic Society), Aspergers in Love: Couple relationships and Family Affairs. (2003, Jessica Kingsley Publishers) and ‘The Asperger Couples Workbook for couples and counsellors alike’ (Jessica Kingsley 2008). Maxine is also a regular speaker at both National and International conferences.