Therapy outcomes for neurodiverse couples: Exploring a solution-focused approach.

The need for clinical approaches that address romantic relationship concerns of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been essentially overlooked. There are a growing number of recommendations in the available literature to increase the availability and evaluation of treatment approaches that are appropriate for couples that include an adult with ASD. The aim of the present study was to explore clinical outcomes of a neurodiverse couple who participated in twelve sessions of solution-focused brief therapy. Our findings indicated both partners experienced improvement in the target complaints, communication and emotional awareness. On the other hand, each partner had a different trajectory of change in relationship satisfaction over the course of treatment. Directions for future research and implications for couple therapy with adults diagnosed with ASD are discussed.

Couple Satisfaction, Depressive Symptoms, and the Therapeutic Alliance: A Systemic Perspective.

There is a well-established bidirectional, negative association between couple satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Yet, a family systems perspective emphasizes the role of the therapist in interrupting this recursive cycle between couple satisfaction and depressive symptoms. The current study utilized longitudinal data to explore the bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms and couple satisfaction, moderated by the therapeutic alliance over the course of therapy. The study included 108 couples participating in couple therapy at a university training clinic. Couples rated their depressive symptoms and couple satisfaction separately before the intake session and at the end of the fourth session, and they also reported their individual therapeutic alliance with the therapist at the end of the second and third sessions. Actor-partner interdependence moderation model analysis revealed several moderation effects. In general, with low therapeutic alliance, couples with higher initial symptoms (such as depressive symptoms and low couple satisfaction) reported more severe symptoms at the fourth session, compared to those who had fewer initial symptoms. The moderating effect of alliance on a couple's symptoms was found both among individuals, and between partners. Systemic clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Hay una asociación bidireccional y negativa firmemente establecida entre la satisfacción en la pareja y los síntomas depresivos. Sin embargo, la perspectiva de sistemas familiares enfatiza el papel que desempeña el terapeuta en la interrupción de este ciclo recurrente entre la satisfacción en la pareja y los síntomas depresivos. El presente estudio utilizó datos longitudinales para analizar las asociaciones bidireccionales entre los síntomas depresivos y la satisfacción en la pareja, moderadas por la alianza terapéutica durante el transcurso de la terapia. El estudio incluyó 108 parejas que participaron en terapia de pareja en una clínica universitaria de formación. Las parejas calificaron sus síntomas depresivos y la satisfacción en la pareja por separado antes de la sesión de ingreso y al final de la cuarta sesión, y también informaron su alianza terapéutica individual con el terapeuta al final de la segunda y la tercera sesión. El análisis del modelo de moderación de la interdependencia entre el actor y la pareja reveló varios efectos de la moderación. En general, con una alianza terapéutica baja, las parejas con síntomas iniciales más altos (como síntomas depresivos y baja satisfacción en la pareja) informaron síntomas más intensos en la cuarta sesión en comparación con aquellos que tenían menos síntomas iniciales. El efecto moderador de la alianza en los síntomas de la pareja se halló tanto entre las personas como entre las parejas. Se debaten las consecuencias clínicas sistémicas y las sugerencias para futuras investigaciones.

Exploring Exceptions and Discovering Solutions: A Case Presentation of Autism and the Family.

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, there is a rapidly increasing need for treatment services among individuals diagnosed with ASD and families. Currently, the majority of the evidence-based treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, overlook the notable systemic effects of ASD and maintain a problem-focused lens. There is a growing body of research calling for strength-based, relational interventions that build on existing resources to enhance coping, efficacy, and well-being among families affected by ASD. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a widely practiced clinical approach that is increasingly being used among clinicians to address the systemic effects of developmental disabilities in the family. However, particular modifications to specific interventions may better accommodate autism-associated deficits in executive functioning (e.g., goal development and impulsivity), perspective taking, or restricted interests when using an SFBT approach. This article offers recommendations for adapting a solution-focused approach by modifying commonly used SFBT interventions to address family-driven treatment goals using a collaborative stance with families of children with ASD. A case presentation is included to demonstrate SFBT as informed by the unique challenges and inherent resources of families affected by ASD that have been identified in the extant literature.

A medida que el predominio del trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) continúa aumentando, hay una necesidad cada vez mayor de servicios de tratamiento entre personas diagnosticadas con TEA y sus familias. Actualmente, la mayoría de los tratamientos factuales, como el análisis conductual aplicado, pasan por alto los efectos sistémicos destacados del TEA y mantienen una óptica centrada en los problemas. Existe una creciente recopilación de estudios de investigación que exige intervenciones relacionales basadas en las fortalezas que aprovechen los recursos existentes para mejorar las habilidades de superación de dificultades, la eficacia y el bienestar entre las familias afectadas por el TEA. La terapia breve centrada en soluciones (TBCS) es un enfoque clínico de práctica generalizada que se está utilizando cada vez más entre los profesionales clínicos para abordar los efectos sistémicos de las discapacidades del desarrollo en la familia. Sin embargo, algunas modificaciones particulares a intervenciones específicas pueden contemplar mejor los déficits asociados con el autismo en el funcionamiento ejecutivo (p. ej.: desarrollo de objetivos, impulsividad), la adopción de perspectivas o los intereses restringidos cuando se usa un método de TBCS. Este artículo ofrece recomendaciones para adaptar un enfoque centrado en soluciones mediante la modificación de intervenciones de TBCS comúnmente utilizadas para abordar los objetivos de tratamiento impulsados por la familia adoptando una postura colaborativa con las familias de los niños con TEA. Se incluye la presentación de un caso para demostrar la TBCS valiéndose de las dificultades únicas y los recursos inherentes de las familiares afectadas por el TEA que se han identificado en la bibliografía existente.

Efficient invasion by Toxoplasma depends on the subversion of host protein networks.

Apicomplexan parasites are important pathogens of humans and domestic animals, including Plasmodium species (the agents of malaria) and Toxoplasma gondii, which is responsible for toxoplasmosis. They replicate within the cells of their animal hosts, to which they gain access using a unique parasite-driven invasion process. At the core of the invasion machine is a structure at the interface between the invading parasite and host cell called the moving junction (MJ) 1 . The MJ serves as both a molecular doorway to the host cell and an anchor point enabling the parasite to engage its motility machinery to drive the penetration of the host cell 2 , ultimately yielding a protective vacuole 3 . The MJ is established through self-assembly of parasite proteins at the parasite-host interface 4 . However, it is unknown whether host proteins are subverted for MJ formation. Here, we show that Toxoplasma parasite rhoptry neck proteins (RON2, RON4 and RON5) cooperate to actively recruit the host CIN85, CD2AP and the ESCRT-I components ALIX and TSG101 to the MJ during invasion. We map the interactions in detail and demonstrate that the parasite mimics and subverts conserved binding interfaces with remarkable specificity. Parasite mutants unable to recruit these host proteins show inefficient host cell invasion in culture and attenuated virulence in mice. This study reveals molecular mechanisms by which parasites subvert widely conserved host machinery to force highly efficient host cell access.