Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Despite advances in recent years, there are several aspects of autism and its clinical care that are not well understood. These 'gray areas' require exploration and further research to improve our capacity to provide tailored and optimal clinical care to patients. Clinicians must therefore keep up to date on this widely variable disorder and the latest innovative strategies to treat it. 

New frontiers in our understanding of autism include: differences in how autism presents in girls; missed or inappropriate diagnosis in less obvious cases; the relationship between autism and gender identity; the overlap of autism and ADHD; and medication management that effectively addresses associated symptoms. Irritability is also a common problem in autism that is poorly defined and requires a multi-modal approach to care. Finally, there is a need to increase awareness of the double burden of patients with autism and racial, ethnic, linguistic, or social disadvantage who suffer delays in assessment and treatment. 

This course aims to help clinicians better identify and treat these challenging aspects of autism. The day will culminate in a lived experience panel with several individuals and family members sharing their unique and impactful stories. All clinicians treating children, adolescents, or adults with autism are welcome!

Who Should Attend

• Psychologists
• Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Primary Care Physicians
• Specialty Physicians
• Social Workers
• Counselors
• Family Therapists

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify the markers of autism that most commonly present in girls or high-functioning individuals.
• Explore issues of gender identity in people with autism.
• Manage executive function in ASD using targeted strategies.
• Outline key approaches to the pharmacologic management of associated symptoms.
• Utilize clinical strategies to manage the symptom of irritability in ASD.
• Summarize the excess burden of suffering for minoritized patients with autism and how it results in further deleterious clinical outcomes.
• Review how the challenges of neurodiversity have been experienced by individuals with autism.

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:

• Medical Knowledge
• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills 

IOM Competencies

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

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at ceprograms@hms.harvard.edu. 

Friday, November 8, 2024

All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.

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. 

Margaret Weiss, MD, PhD, FRCP (C) (Course Director)

Director of the 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)

Psychiatrist in the Neurodevelopmental Clinic & Director, Gender Evaluation Clinic, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance/Cambridge Hospital
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

Raman Baweja, MBBS, MD, MS

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine
Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Development in Clinical Scholarship and Associate Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Penn State Health
Co-Director of Child Psychiatry Consult Liaison Services, Penn State Children's Hospital

Donna Henderson, PsyD

Neuropsychologist in Private Practice, MD

Russell Schachar, MD, FRCP (C)

Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Toronto Dominion Bank Group Chair in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children

Robyn Thom, MD

Staff Psychiatrist, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Anna van der Miesen

Research Associate, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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 7.50 continuing education credits.

Social Workers

This program has been approved for a total of 7.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program Authorization Number D92656-4. 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 7.5 contact hours.

Counselors

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 7.50 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.50 credits.

Marriage/Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing education, Certificate #PC-042325, for a total of 7.5 contact hours.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). 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.

Canadian Accreditation

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.

European Accreditation

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 here.

Disclosure Policies

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.

Disclaimer

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 judgement 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.

Tuition for Navigating the Frontiers of Autism is listed below. You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment.

Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus, and access to recordings for 30 days after the course.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration. Refunds, less an administrative fee of $75, will be issued for all cancellations received at least two weeks prior to the start of the course. Refund requests must be made in our secure online system or by email. “No shows” are subject to the full course fee.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Physician (MD/DO)

$275 / ($245 if registered by Wednesday, October 10, 2024)

All Other Health Professionals

$215 / ($190 if registered by Wednesday, October 10, 2024)