Re: Possibilites of using EMDR with Autistic client

I have used EMDR with several Austic children and adolescents with some
success.

One client was a 15 year-old female. EMDR was used to internalize
soothing feelings. We read together (many many times) a story ("I Love
You Forever") with a specific rhythm and pitch, with me reading the
majority of the story (usually - sometimes she did) and her reading the
rhythmic sections. We made a tape which she used to calm herself before
bed and at school as needed. Reminders to play the story "in her head"
or softly out loud helped to soothe her (even over the phone) when
police/ambulance had been called because of her agressive
("out-of-control") behavior and avoided hospitalization. Another
problem for many years was defecating in paper towels, bowls, etc. and
"hiding" it around the house. With EMDR we strengthened the proud
feeling "..... is a lady (like mom)" followed by "ladies poop in the
toilet." After two sessions of EMDR and now a year later there have
been no more "defecation problems."

I worked with a six year old autistic boy one time using EMDR (tapping)
to increase eye contact - a prerequisite to eye contact necessary for
interpersonal communication, which the child was severely lacking. His
mother called several days later to report that he was activley seeking
out eye contact and beginning to communicate better.

My opportunities to work with Autistic (and brain injured) children have
been limited. EMDR has been helpful in the cases I have seen, however.
I have primarily worked with severely disordered (e.g. PTSD, Bipolar,
Schizophrenic, Conduct Disorder) children/adolescents in a large CMH and
with less severe clients in private practice.

I would be very interested in communicating with others who have had
successful EMDR results with Austic/brain injured children/adolescents.

Linda Bedsole, Psy.D.

email: bedsole@starnetinc.com

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