Growing Pains: How Psychologists Can Help to Meet the Clinical Needs of Clients With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The pervasiveness and the prevalence of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are now much more recognized than in years past. The treatment needs of higher functioning people with ASD unfortunately often go unmet, and there is tremendous potential for psychologists to help meet these needs. The four articles in this special series provide current, best practice reviews and recommendations for practicing psychologists who work in this area. They highlight commonalities that cut across ASD and other clinical populations, and offer considerations that are unique to working with clients who have ASD. This commentary emphasizes the need for clinicians and applied psychological scientists to consider some of these issues in their own work.

► ASD is much more common than previously thought, and the clinical needs of this population are great.
► Practitioners and scientists who may not specialize in ASD can learn from the literature in this field and contribute to it.
► Treatment often must target co-occurring problems or symptoms, for which CBT is often appropriate and effective.