At the completion of this program, participants should be able to:
1. Identify some of the thoughts of people with autism – that is, the ‘inside’ life of such individuals, one that professionals had previously believed was non-existent.
a. Thoughts about the possible contributors to (causes of) the autistic experience/behaviors (not necessarily causes of autism)
b. Thoughts about the sensory experiences and sensory processing difficulties of many people with autism
c. Thoughts about empathy, emotions and social skills/interaction
2. Recognize jargon (words) used by people in the autism community to refer to themselves and to those who do not have autism.
3. Recognize the range and diversity of experience and thought, growing up and as adults, of people with autism.
Description:
This is course is for those of us in the behavioral health field who are likely to be taught or have been taught about the autism spectrum by professional providers and researchers only. We may find the observations and commentary about life with autism from those who live that life, either as people with autism or as parents and caregivers, informative. There are differences in perspective, explanations and actions taken to help a person with autism – between some people with autism, some parents and professionals. We might challenge some of our own stereotypes in the process of learning the perspective of those living with and in autism. We may or may not agree with these perspectives, but it should benefit us as providers to have at least some awareness of them
Key words: Article, Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, PDD, autie, aspie, autist
Approval Bodies:
Professional Development
American Psychological Association
Florida Dept. of Health (Board of Social Work, Marriage & Family, Mental Health Counseling)
NAADAC, National Association for Addiction Professionals
National Board for Certified Counselors
Florida Board of Nursing
Ohio Board of Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, Expiration 03/31/2010
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Illinois Social Work Continuing Education
Association of Social Work Boards Approved Continuing Education (ACE)
Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
CAADAC, California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
CAADE - California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators
California Board of Registered Nursing
Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Marriage and Family Therapist
Ohio Board of Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, 04/2010 to 03/2012
