Therapy for ADHD in Kelowna and Austism support in Kelowna, BC.

At Alive Counselling, we have various therapists who love supporting children, teens, young adults, adults, and families with ADHD and Autism support.

Counselling for ADHD in Kelowna, and Autism support in Kelowna. Learn practical strategies for ADHD and autism support by our team of therapists at Alive Counselling in Kelowna, BC!

We partner with the Ministry to direct bill for Autism Funding for mental health support on your behalf.

Janelle Martens, RSW is a mom and therapist who has worked with families, supported parent child relationships, adolescents, teens, and adults for the last 15 years. She is particularly passionate about support families with late ASD diagnosis.

Laura Belland, RCC is a mom, former elementary teacher and respite aide who provides counselling for children in Kelowna ages 5 and up including play therapy, youth, teens, adults, couples, and families.

Samantha Cooper, RCC works with children 3 +, youth, teens, and young adults. Sam works and offers play therapy, grief therapy for children, and trauma-focused therapy for children, teens, and young adults.

You are welcome to view their bios and schedules to book in by clicking on their names. If you have any questions, please contact us we are happy to help 🙂

Understanding Counselling for ADHD and Autism Support

Navigating the challenges of ADHD and autism can be a complex journey, both for individuals and their families. As awareness of neurodiversity grows, so too does the availability of tailored support mechanisms. One critical component of this support is counseling, which plays a significant role in helping individuals with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life. But what does counseling for ADHD and autism involve, and how can it make a difference? Let’s delve into the essentials.

What is Counseling for ADHD and Autism?

Counselling for ADHD in Kelowna and autism support in Kelowna is a specialized form of therapy designed to address the unique needs of individuals with these conditions. Unlike traditional counseling, which might focus broadly on general mental health issues, counseling for ADHD and autism is tailored to address specific challenges related to these conditions.

ADHD Counseling

For individuals with ADHD, counseling often focuses on managing symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Here are some key aspects:

1. Behavioral Strategies: Therapists work with individuals to develop strategies for improving organizational skills, time management, and goal setting. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be particularly effective in helping clients modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
2. Skill Building: Counseling often includes training in practical skills like prioritizing tasks, breaking down large projects into manageable steps, and using tools like planners and reminders to stay organized.
3. Emotional Regulation: ADHD can affect emotional stability, so therapy may also focus on techniques for managing frustration, anxiety, and mood swings.
4. Family Support: For children and adolescents, involving family members in therapy can help improve home dynamics and create a more supportive environment.

Autism Counseling

Counseling for autism spectrum disorders is often more diverse due to the wide range of symptoms and needs within the autism spectrum. Key components include:

1. Social Skills Training: Many individuals with autism benefit from targeted social skills training, which helps them navigate social interactions, understand social cues, and build meaningful relationships.
2. Communication Skills: Depending on the individual’s needs, therapy might focus on enhancing communication skills, whether through verbal methods or alternative communication strategies like picture exchange systems.
3. Sensory Processing: Counseling can also address sensory processing issues, helping individuals develop coping mechanisms for sensory overload or seeking out sensory experiences that provide comfort.
4. Self-Advocacy: Empowering individuals with autism to advocate for their needs is a crucial part of therapy. This can involve teaching self-awareness and strategies for communicating needs effectively in various settings.
5. Family and Caregiver Support: Similar to ADHD, involving family members in therapy can provide essential support and education for managing the unique challenges associated with autism.

The Benefits of Counseling for ADHD and Autism

The benefits of counseling for ADHD and autism are substantial and multi-faceted. Here’s how it can make a positive impact:

1. Enhanced Self-Esteem: Counseling helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses, fostering a positive self-image and improving overall self-esteem.
2. Improved Coping Strategies: With personalized strategies and support, individuals can better manage the symptoms of ADHD or autism, leading to improved functioning in daily life.
3. Better Relationships: By developing social and communication skills, individuals can build and maintain healthier relationships with peers, family members, and colleagues.
4. Increased Independence: Therapy can provide the tools needed for individuals to manage their lives more independently, leading to greater autonomy and personal growth.
5. Family Harmony: For families, counseling can improve understanding and communication, reducing stress and creating a more supportive home environment.

Finding the Right Counselor

Choosing the right counselor is a crucial step in the process. Look for professionals who specialize in ADHD or autism, and consider the following factors:

• Experience and Training: Ensure the counselor has experience working with ADHD or autism and is trained in relevant therapeutic techniques.
• Approach and Compatibility: The counselor’s approach should align with your needs, and there should be a good rapport between the counselor and the individual seeking support.
• References and Reviews: Check references and reviews to gauge the counselor’s effectiveness and reputation.

Conclusion

Counseling for ADHD and autism is a powerful tool for navigating the complexities of these conditions. By offering tailored support, building skills, and enhancing self-understanding, counseling can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with ADHD and autism and their families. If you or a loved one are struggling with these conditions, consider exploring counseling options to find the support that fits your unique needs. With the right guidance, individuals with ADHD and autism can lead fulfilling and empowered lives.

To learn more about ADHD, check out this informative article from Psychology Today:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by a combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Symptoms related to inattention can include difficulty sustaining focus, being forgetful in daily activities, and problems with organizing and following through. Hyperactivity symptoms may include frequent fidgeting, restlessness, impulsive behaviors, and excessively talking or interrupting others.

ADHD is considered a developmental disorder, meaning it is present from childhood onward. In recent years, however, some researchers have argued that an adult-onset form of ADHD may exist, though the debate remains ongoing and many prominent experts remain skeptical. Early in life, ADHD usually manifests as behavioral problems at school or difficulty focusing, understanding material, or completing tasks. In adulthood, it may manifest as problems achieving goals or meeting deadlines at work, social challenges caused by impulsive or reckless behavior, or frequently getting distracted during everyday activities.

According to the CDC, more than 9 percent of school-age children were diagnosed with ADHD in 2016; in adults, the prevalence is usually estimated to be between 2 and 6 percent. Boys are diagnosed more often than are girls, though heightened awareness of how ADHD typically presents in girls has decreased this disparity in recent years. Girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD; however, some experts question whether this is primarily due to an actual gender difference or whether it’s due, at least in part, to stereotypes that are more likely to paint young boys as “hyper.” While ADHD is often first diagnosed and treated during childhood, many individuals do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood.

Symptoms of ADHD can usually be treated effectively with medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. When left untreated, however, ADHD can have long-term adverse effects on academic performance, vocational success, relationships, and social-emotional development.

Contents

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Treatment

Symptoms

To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must present with problems related to inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity for a period of at least six months that significantly negatively impact their performance or functioning, according to the DSM-5. These behaviors must also exist in two or more contexts such as at home, at work, or in social settings. Per the DSM, these symptoms must have been present before the age of 12, even if the individual is diagnosed as an adult.

Symptoms of inattention include:

• Making careless mistakes, overlooking details
• Difficulty remaining focused on tasks or conversations
• Being easily distractible
• Difficulty following through on instructions or duties; becomes easily sidetracked
• Difficulty organizing tasks, activities, and belongings; struggles to manage time efficiently or meet deadlines
• Avoidance or refusal of activities that require sustained attention (reports, forms, reviewing papers)
• Losing things frequently
• Being forgetful of daily activities (appointments, chores)

Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity include:

• Frequent fidgeting, squirming, tapping
• Often leaving seat when remaining seated is expected
• Frequent pacing, running, or climbing when it is inappropriate to do so
• Feeling overly restless
• Experiencing discomfort when made to be still for an extended period of time
• Difficulty engaging in leisure activities
• Talking excessively
• Preemptively blurting out answers to questions
• Difficulty waiting for a turn
• Interrupting others during conversation
• Behaving impulsively, sometimes engaging in risky behavior while doing so

For more on symptoms and diagnosis, see our ADHD Center.

What are the different types of ADHD?

ADHD is generally categorized into 3 types. A diagnosis of combined presentation is made when a person presents with both hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention symptoms for at least six months. A diagnosis of predominantly inattentive type is made when a person presents with criteria for inattention symptoms but not for hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms for at least six months. A diagnosis of predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type is made when a person presents with criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms but not for inattention symptoms for at least six months.

Is inattentive-type or hyperactive-type more prevalent in adults?

In adults with ADHD, symptoms of inattention are generally more prominent, and many adults who receive a later-in-life diagnosis are diagnosed with inattentive-type or combined-type. Such men and women with ADHD tend to struggle to focus on tasks or prioritize activities, which in turn may lead to difficulty completing work, missed deadlines, and forgotten social engagements. However, it is possible for adults to be diagnosed with predominantly hyperactive-type ADHD; these individuals may struggle most with feelings of restlessness, impulsive or even reckless behavior, and social difficulties such as frequently interrupting others.

Does ADHD affect men and women differently?

Causes

The causes of ADHD are still being explored, though the most substantiated causes appear to fall in the realm of neurobiology and genetics. Environmental factors may further influence the severity of the disorder. ADHD does not arise purely from poor diet, bad parenting, or screen time, contrary to popular myths.

Research on the casual elements of ADHD tends to focus on younger children. In terms of genetics, 25 percent of close relatives of a child with ADHD also have the condition—indicating that genetics play an important role in the development of ADHD. Research by the Child Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health found that compared to children without ADHD, children with the condition generally have a 3 to 4 percent reduction in volume in important regions of the brain including the frontal lobes, temporal gray matter, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum. These brain structures play a vital role in solving problems, planning ahead, restraining impulses, and understanding the behavior of others.

Environmental agents may also contribute to ADHD. A correlation has emerged between the use of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy and the risk of ADHD, for example. High levels of lead found in older buildings and exposure to lead through water sources are also implicated in the risk of developing ADHD.

Social theorists and clinicians sometimes refer to ADHD as a “disease of modernity,” arguing that the fast-paced nature of modern society—and the many things that compete for our attention at all times—are responsible for the dramatic spike in ADHD seen in recent years. Some evolutionary psychologists contend that ADHD-like traits may have even been useful to our hunter-gatherer ancestors, though they’re seen as problematic today.

For more on causes and risk factors, visit our ADHD Center.

Does adult-onset ADHD exist?

Per the DSM-5 definition of ADHD, no—symptoms must be present from age 12 or earlier in order for someone to qualify for a diagnosis. In recent years, however, some longitudinal studies that followed participants from childhood to adulthood reported that some individuals appeared to meet the threshold for an ADHD diagnosis in their teen or adult years, despite not qualifying for one during childhood. The researchers concluded that ADHD may not always have a childhood onset. However, some follow-up studies argued that what was classified as “adult-onset ADHD” may have actually been something else, such as side effects from substance use or a related condition such as bipolar disorder. Other experts argue that seemingly “late-onset” ADHD symptoms may have been present all along, and were simply missed at earlier examinations. Further research is needed to definitively answer the question of adult-onset ADHD.

Treatment

ADHD can be treated successfully with therapy and/or medication. Therapy can provide skills to help the person direct themselves to tasks and become more knowledgeable about their behavior to regulate it effectively. Medications can help boost focus, quell restlessness, and improve the progress made from social skills learned in therapy.

The medications most commonly prescribed to treat ADHD include a class of drugs called stimulants that have both short-acting and long-acting properties. Short-acting medications may need to be taken more often, and long-acting drugs can usually be taken once daily. Those commonly prescribed include amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (sold under the brand names Adderall and Mydayis), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and methylphenidate (sold as Ritalin, Quillivant, Daytrana, QuilliChew, Concerta, and others).

Nonstimulant medications, which include atomoxetine (sold under the brand names Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv), and clonidine (Kapvay) may be used if stimulants are ineffective or contraindicated for a particular patient. Antidepressants may also be considered for the treatment of adults with ADHD. Similar to stimulants, antidepressants target norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters. Those most often used include the older class of drugs called tricyclics, but also newer antidepressants such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). These medications can also help with nicotine cravings and smoking cessation.

Generally, hyperactivity symptoms are less prevalent in adulthood, but symptoms of inattention and impulsivity often persist. Therapy for adults with ADHD generally incorporates skills to improve everyday functions such as time management, organization, goal execution. Therapy also helps target emotion regulation, impulse control, and stress management. By improving emotional and interpersonal self-regulation, adults can more confidently navigate work as well as familial and social relationships.

Many adults with ADHD have received negative social feedback—from parents, teachers, employers, and peers—through the course of their academic or employment history that can damage their confidence, self-esteem, or beliefs about their capabilities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help identify negative biases in thinking that reduce motivation and perpetuate avoidance behaviors and help cultivate a range of adaptive behaviors. Mindfulness mediation training can also improve sustained attention to tasks and the ability to work through problems.

Treatment may also be targeted towards other mood and anxiety disorders that commonly co-occur in adults with ADHD.

What is the most effective treatment for ADHD in adults?

Usually, a combination of medication and therapy is thought to be the most effective way to treat ADHD in adults. Medication can help manage day-to-day symptoms of inattention or restlessness, while therapy can help strengthen practical skills, such as time management and organization, while also helping adults come to terms with their ADHD and the challenges it has caused throughout their life. Therapy can also help with the comorbid conditions many adults with ADHD struggle with, such as depression, anxiety, or insomnia. Though therapy and medication work well in concert, some adults find that just one approach in isolation is sufficient to control their symptoms. Many adults also focus on lifestyle changes, such as exercising more regularly or starting a meditation practice, that have been shown to help with the daily management of ADHD.

References

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth EditionBarkley R.A. (2000). Taking Charge of AD/HD. New York: The Guilford Press, p. 21.Biederman J, Faraone SV, Keenan K, Knee D, Tsuang MF. (1990) Family-genetic and psychosocial risk factors in DSM-III attention deficit disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(4): 526-533.Consensus Development Panel (CDP) (1982). Defined Diets and Childhood Hyperactivity. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Summary, Volume 4(3).Faraone SV, Biederman J. (1998) Neurobiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 44, 951-958.Harvard Mental Health Letter (2002). Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults. Vol. 19:5, 3-6.The MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) (1999). Archives of General Psychiatry, 56:1073-1086.National Institute of Mental Health (2006). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/AD/HD.cfm#teenNational Institutes of Health – National Library of Medicine – MedlinePlus, 2007. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001551.htmUS Department of Justice (USDOJ) (2006). A Guide to Disability Rights Laws. Civil Rights Division: Disability Rights Section http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm#anchor62335U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State Legislative Fact Sheet, April 2002.Wilens TC, Faraone, SV, Biederman J, Gunawardene S. (2003). Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature. Pediatrics, 111:1:179-185.Wilens, TE, Biederman, J, Spencer, TJ. Attention (2002). deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Annual Review of Medicine, 53:113-131.Knouse, LE, & Safren, SA (2010), Current Status of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 33, Issue 3, Pages 497-509Ruff, M.E. (2005). Attention deficit disorder and stimulant use: an epidemic of modernity. Clinical Pediatrics, 44, 557-563.