Assessment and Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Assessment and Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Anna Krasno, Ph.D.

Santa Barbara County Psychological Association

Nov, 8 2019

Course Outline:

This one and a half hour seminar will focus on the assessment and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Given the high prevalence of this disorder, understanding and knowledge of ASD is important for mental health practitioners across treatment settings. Information will be presented on early warning signs of ASD, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and how ASD presents across the lifespan. Treatment modalities will also be discussed with particular focus on how to involve the individual’s entire family in working on treatment goals. Topics will include:

• Diagnostic criteria for ASD

• Early warning signs/red flags of ASD in infants/toddlers

• How autism can present across the lifespan

• Treatment considerations including how to involve the family

• Details on Pivotal Response Intervention for children with ASD

• Community resources for assessment/diagnosis and treatment

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of the course participants will be able to:

1. Describe main diagnostic criteria for ASD and name three early warning signs

2. List two strategies to involve entire family in treatment for children with ASD

3. Identify key components of Pivotal Response Intervention

References:

Koegel, R.L & Koegel, L.K. (2012). The PRT Pocket Guide: Pivotal Response Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co., Inc.

Koegel, R.L., Vernon, T.W., & Koegel, L.K. (2009). Improving social initiations in young children with autism using reinforcers with embedded social interactions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 1240-1251.

McPartland, J. C., Reichow, B., & Volkmar, F.R. (2012). Sensitivity and specificity of proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51, 368-383.

Vernon, T.W., Holden, A.N., Barrett, A.C., Bradshaw, J., Ko, J.A., McGarry, E.S., … German, T.C. (2019). A pilot randomized clinical trial of an enhanced pivotal response treatment approach for young children with autism: The PRISM model. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, published online Feb 2019.

CPA is co-sponsoring with Santa Barbara County Psychological Association (SBCPA).The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  CPA co-sponsored credit is also accepted by the Board of Registered Nursing and the Board of Behavioral Sciences for their licensees. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

Important Notice:Those who attend the workshop and complete the CPA evaluation form will receive (1.5) continuing education credits. Please note that APA CE rules require that we give credit only to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.

This salon will be held at 40 Alston Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.