Navigating the Frontiers of Autism
- Continuing Education
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.
$290
This is the standard price, for a full list of profession pricing see below.
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Early Registration Deadline:
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Overview
Rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses continue to rise across the lifespan, creating a need to build capacity for multi-disciplinary clinical services. At the same time, public discourse around neurodiversity, disability rights, and politicization of questions regarding the cause of autism has led to increases in controversy. Clinicians are seeking a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of autism that reflects cutting-edge science and the real-world systems patients navigate. This course offers a timely and multifaceted exploration of ASD, grounded in current U.S. policy debates and health care challenges.
Participants will gain an up-to-date overview of disability policy as it relates to autism research and care. Faculty will discuss best practices in assessment and diagnosis, with particular focus on recognizing ASD across diverse populations and in the presence of comorbid conditions such as ADHD. Attention will also be given to the growing awareness and clinical implications of autism in adulthood — a population often overlooked in traditional pediatric-focused models of care. Finally, methods of working with minoritized autistic youth will be explored, to improve their access to care and facilitate positive outcomes when interacting with the community.
Given ongoing national conversations about disability justice, inclusive education, insurance coverage, and access to services, the course integrates a practical understanding of relevant policy and clinical care models to help clinicians better support patients and families navigating these systems. The agenda culminates in a powerful lived experience interview, offering clinicians a direct window into the personal, social, and systemic dimensions of life with autism.
This course is designed for mental health professionals, primary care physicians, and other health care providers seeking to enhance their clinical care through a deeper, policy-informed, and person-centered understanding of autism across the lifespan. By integrating research, policy, and patient narrative, this course will equip clinicians to provide informed, respectful, and evidence-based care to ASD patients in today’s complex social and political environment.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss several challenges and opportunities in national disability rights policy in the context of autism.
- Summarize the key components of an effective diagnostic evaluation for ASD, and identify appropriate psychometric measures to support diagnostic evaluation, including patients from racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities.
- Differentiate between the core symptoms of ASD and ADHD, and review evidence-based treatment strategies that address the unique needs of patients with comorbid presentations.
- Review the clinical presentation, assessment and management of ASD in adults.
- Identify key community partners and specialized supports for autism in adults.
- Describe strategies to facilitate safe interactions between minoritized youth with autism and community first responders.
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.
Participant Types
Specialty Physicians, Primary Care Physicians, Social workers, Counselors, Family Therapists, Psychologists, Other, Nurses, Physician Assistants
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.
Karen Kuc, MPH
Course Director
- Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
- Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
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
Lea Boldt, PhD
Clinical psychologist, Meadowlark Psychiatric Services
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospital
Peter Daniolos, MD, DFAACAP
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School
Glen Davies, PhD
Owner/Director, ABLE Developmental Clinic Inc.
Co-Director, Autism Integrated Medical Services at Pacific Autism Family Network
Ashlee Flanagan, PhD
Research Psychologist, Center for Autism Research (CAR), Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Todd Kopelman, PhD, BCBA
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa
Karen Kuc, MPH
Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Michael Lewis
Medical Interpreter, Multiple Languages, Cambridge Health Alliance
Ari Ne'eman, PhD
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Julia Parish-Morris, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Senior Principal Scientist, Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Jessica Stubbing, PhD
Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Member of the Faculty of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Margaret Weiss, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
Director, Neurodevelopmental Clinic and Director of Clinical Research in Child Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance/Cambridge Hospital
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment.
At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
Early Registration Deadline:
| Role | Standard Price |
|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $290.00 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $230.00 |
| PA | $230.00 |
| Psychologist | $230.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $230.00 |
| Social Worker | $230.00 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $230.00 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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 7.0 continuing education credits.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
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 7.0 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.0 credits.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
Application for LMFT continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
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.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
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.
Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.0 contact hours.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.