The CAT-Kit: Cognitive Affective Training: New Program for Improving Communication!

A clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, Dr. Tony Attwood has over thirty years of experience with individuals with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). He has worked with several thousand individuals, from infants to octogenarians, from profoundly disabled persons to university professors. Dr. Attwood works in private practice in Brisbane, but is also adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland. He presents workshops and training courses for parents, professionals, and individuals with autism all over the world. In addition, he is a prolific author of scientific papers and books. His books and videos on Asperger's Syndrome and high-functioning autism are recognized as the best offerings in the field. Over 300,000 of his book Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals have been sold, and it has been translated into twenty languages. A clinical psychologist and the Director of the Asperger's Resource Centre in Denmark, Dr. Kirsten Callesen has been in the autism field for over ten years. She is actively engaged in educating others about autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and the use of the CAT-kit, which has already made a tremendous impact in Scandinavia by helping parents and professionals structure conversations that focus on emotional issues. She consults to a number of schools and institutions, providing various counseling services as well. For the past four years, Kirsten has been conducting a program for parents in the City of Copenhagen called the Pioneer Groups, a six-month inclusive program where parents can learn about autism and how to care for their newly-diagnosed child through meetings, workshops, and individual family counseling. Currently she focuses on enhancing the communication skills and self-understanding of children and youth with autism. Dr. Annette Moller Nielsen is a clinical psychologist who currently runs her own private practice, AutismeMidt, She also works closely with the Centre for Autism in Copenhagen, where she is responsible for planning courses, parent counseling, and the psychological assessment of children, adolescents, and adults. Since 1980, she has had a teaching position with the Municipality of Copenhagen's Educational Programme for children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Annette's teaching program focuses on how cognitive methods and the CAT-kit can be used to help children and young people with socio-cognitive difficulties.