Stories of High School Counsellors and Their Experiences with Youth with High Functioning Autism

Abstract

Awareness of autism spectrum disorder in the high school setting has become more prevalent in the last twenty years. School counsellors are in a unique position to support the social-emotional needs of youth with high functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger’s disorder, but at this point little is known about their experiences. By engaging in a narrative inquiry, I intended to gain a better understanding of the experiences of school counsellors who work with youth with HFA. Specifically, I interviewed three school counsellors and represented their experiences through story. Each story helps to illustrate school counsellors’ experiences with youth with HFA. I anticipate that these insights will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding school counsellors’ involvement with youth with HFA, help inform best practices, and generate awareness about the issues and factors that affect school counsellors to effectively help and support youth with HFA.