Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Continuing Education

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April 9, 2027

Registration Deadline: April 9, 2027

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With autism diagnoses on the rise and public debate growing, this course provides clinicians with practical, up-to-date strategies to deliver effective, evidence-based care across the lifespan.

Live Online

This course is taught online in real time.

Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and made available to participants for online viewing for 30 days after the end of the course.

$260 Save with early registration

This is the standard price, for a full list of profession pricing see below.
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Fee increases to $290 after March 11, 2027

Continuing Education

Earn up to:
7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
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One Day

Please view the Schedule for a full description of the program.

Overview

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly variable and complex condition that challenges clinicians to accurately assess and effectively treat. The prevalence of ASD is increasing, and as a result it is becoming more common in a wide range of settings other than just specialty clinics. Clinicians are seeking a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of autism that acknowledges the real-world systems patients and providers navigate.

The objective of this course is to provide the skills and tools clinicians need in practice to provide accurate assessment, documentation and interventions for ASD. Our expert faculty will discuss common challenges encountered in the clinical setting; pharmacotherapy for children and adults; strengths and weaknesses of common assessment tools; evidence-based psychotherapies adapted for people with ASD; and factors that contribute to inequities in autism care across health care, educational, and community settings.

A special highlight this year will be an interactive demonstration of a patient assessment using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and DSM-5 diagnostic interview. The day will culminate in a lived experience panel with family members sharing their unique and impactful stories.

Join us in Spring 2027 to boost your skills in identifying and treating these challenging aspects of ASD. All clinicians treating children, adolescents, or adults with autism are welcome!

Learning Objectives

Devise strategies to navigate common clinical challenges that arise, such as special education, IEPs, guardianship, and bullying.
Review updates to pharmacotherapy for children and adults with autism.
Identify the strengths and limitations of the ADOS-2 assessment tool.
Demonstrate application of the CARS and DSM 5 diagnostic interview in diagnosis of ASD.
Discuss the implementation and effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapies adapted for people with ASD, including those at the intersection of gender identity, and autism.
Examine and consider solutions for individual, systemic, and structural factors that contribute to inequities in autism care across health care, educational, and community settings.
Describe the challenges and joys of a family supporting a child with ASD before and following diagnosis, and setting up school and home supports.

Developed and Offered By:

Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Cambridge Health Alliance.

Schedule

All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.

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Friday, April 9, 2027

Faculty

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Course Directors

Margaret Weiss

MD, PhD, FRCP(C) | Course Director

Director, Neurodevelopmental Clinic and Director of Clinical Research in Child Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance/Cambridge Hospital
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Peter Daniolos

MD, DFAACAP | Course Director

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc

MPH | Course Director

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Course Faculty

Rachel Goldin, PhD
Staff Psychologist, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Ji Su Hong, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Christopher Keary, MD
Behavioral Director, Angelman Syndrome Behavioral Clinic, Staff Psychiatrist, Lurie Center for Autism and Assistant Program Director, Multidisciplinary Clinic for Children, Adolescents & Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Christopher McDougle, MD
Director, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital
Nancy Lurie Marks Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Jamie Pearson, PhD
Associate Professor of Special Education and Educational Equity, Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences, North Carolina State University

Jessica Stubbing, D. Clin Psych
Staff Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Department and Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

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Course Fees

Registration Details

You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Session recordings are available 30 days after the course ends.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.

Review the cancellation policy.

Early Registration Deadline: March 11, 2027

Role	Course Fee	Early Registration Course Fee
Physician (MD/DO)	$290	$260
Nurse (RN/APRN)	$230	$200
PA	$230	$200
Psychologist	$230	$200
Resident/Fellow	$230	$200
Social Worker	$230	$200
Allied Health Professional / Other	$230	$200

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Live/Live Online Courses: To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

Online Courses: To receive CME/CE credit, learners must pass the course post-test and complete the course evaluation in order to claim credit before the final day of the accreditation period. Learners have access to the course for 60 days after the accreditation period has expired.

Physicians

Badge for Jointly Accredited Provider with Commendation Interprofessional Continuing Education

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that  AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.25 continuing education credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.25 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.25 credits.

Family Therapists

Application for LMFT continuing education credits has been submitted to NEAFAST. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of LMFT CE accreditation. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Competencies

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

Provide Patient-Centered Care
Employ Evidence-Based Practice

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

Patient Care and Procedural Skills
Medical Knowledge
Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Disclaimer & Disclosure

Disclaimer Policy

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgment before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.

Disclosure

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Registration for courses managed by Harvard Medical School can only be completed through Harvard Medical School’s official registration portal: cmeregistration.hms.harvard.edu. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored and will not be refunded. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations.

In order to comply with applicable U.S. export control and sanctions regulations, Harvard Medical School prohibits access to and use of Harvard Medical School educational offerings, programs and resources to individuals from certain sanctioned regions or who are otherwise subject to U.S. government sanctions, unless appropriate authorization is in place.

Program Topics

Clinical Practice

Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

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