Addressing Autism: Jennifer Morgan, LPC, ACAS, AAC

Today’s conversation is all about navigating autism and mental
health, and joining me to share her knowledge on the topic is
Jennifer Morgan; Licensed Professional Counselor, Animal Assisted
Counselor, Advanced Certified Autism Specialist, and owner of
Morgan’s Helping Hands LLC. Jennifer is post-modern trained, and
her approach is one that combines narrative, collaborative, and
cognitive-behavioral forms of therapy. In this episode, we
discuss examples of what her therapy sessions can look like, some
of the key indicators of ASD, how ASD generally presents itself
differently in men and women, and the ways in which sensory
processing difficulties can play out as mental health disorders.
Jennifer and her animal sidekick, Jettabug, work with their
client's strengths in order to empower them and assist them in
finding solutions to the challenges that they are facing. Whether
you are on the spectrum or not, we hope this episode makes you
feel empowered too! 





Key Points From This Episode:


An introduction to Jennifer and Jettabug, the animal
assistant that works alongside her.

Jennifer shares some of the key signs of Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).

Why Jennifer is opposed to categorizing people with ASD as
‘high functioning’ or ‘low functioning.’

The experience which sparked Jennifer’s interest in sensory
processing.

Examples of how ASD looks different in women and in men.

Pathways that can and cannot be used to get an ASD diagnosis.

Relief that many people feel when they are diagnosed with ASD
later in life.

Valuable advice to parents of children with ASD who appear to
be acting defiantly.

Approaches to dealing with a child with ASD who is having a
meltdown.

The major difference between ASD and Oppositional Defiance
Disorder (ODD).

How sensory processing issues are linked to some of the other
mental health disorders that often accompany ASD.

Why Jennifer combines narrative, collaborative and Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches in her social skills sessions
with children with ASD.

Examples of themes that Jennifer creates for her sessions,
and the value of these.

Jennifer’s main goal as a therapist for children with ASD.

How Jennifer works with her patients’ strengths. 

Recommendations for assisting people with ASD who are wanting
to hurt themselves.

An overview of Jennifer’s new GROWTH Program.

Jennifer’s message of hope.






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


Morgan’s Helping Hands


Morgan’s Helping Hands LLC on Facebook


Jettabug Therapy on Instagram


Sharpen Recovery


Sharpen Recovery on Facebook


Sharpen Recovery on Instagram


Mosaics of Mercy