Working with Autism Spectrum Families: What Clinicians Need to Know

The National Autism Association reports autism is the fastest growing developmental diagnosis in the United States, effecting one in 68 children. This increase over the past several years indicates many clinicians will provide services to individuals on the autism spectrum as well as their loved ones, including mothers, fathers, siblings, and relationship partners. For mental health professionals to provide the best care for this growing population, clinicians need to have an accurate understanding of the autism spectrum.

In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Janeen Herskovitz, LMHC will share her experiences as a therapist, autism strategist, and mother of a 19-year-old son on the autism spectrum. Janeen will outline details of her multifaceted approach for clinicians who want to provide quality care from an autism-informed perspective. Attendees will develop a better understanding of the impact of autism on individuals and families, as well as other interpersonal relationships.

Janeen will address how the needs of an autism family can differ from those of a typical family. She will also identify specific issues to screen for and how a trauma-informed model of care is necessary when working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Attendees will learn how managing anxiety through sensory integration is an ongoing process, and presuming competence in people on the spectrum is crucial to providing effective clinical care.

This intermediate level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how autism affects the individual and the family system.
2. Apply autism spectrum-specific therapeutic strategies that can be implemented immediately in session. 
3. Discuss dynamics of autism families from a trauma-informed perspective.
4. Describe dynamics between autistic and “neurotypical” siblings in an autism spectrum household.
5. Recognize common mental health issues that require additional screening for individuals with autism. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

This was an excellent and enjoyable program. It was very informative of real-life challenges these families face and provided applicable approaches and therapeutic interventions. - Stephanie Grein

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within Counseling Services. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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