Brief Narrative Family Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Neuro-Informed Intervention

Abstract The global prevalence of the neurodevelopmental condition of autism spectrum disorder has notably risen in recent decades. Autistic individuals experience distinctive and recognizable patterns of differences in the areas of language and communication, social relationships and emotional responses, and sensory use and interests across age and ability levels. Within families, the expression of the individual’s autistic pattern of brain style differences is inextricably linked with family dynamics, including multiple and complex stressors affecting each individual within the family as well as the dynamics between members. Although individual therapeutic interventions targeting behavioral outcomes have been extensively explored, family-centered therapeutic interventions that address the interplay between autism and family dynamics are less widely explored. This paper proposes a systematically developed, theoretically grounded and practice-informed approach for clinicians to provide brief narrative family therapy. The model places the autistic family member’s distinctive worldview, communication style, and sensory differences in the forefront of supporting positive and empowering shifts in the family story.