Course

Introduction to Autism and Neurodiversity

Self-paced
2 credits

$49 Enroll

Full course description

Description

This 2-hour asynchronous course serves as an introduction to autism and neurodiversity, with an emphasis on how mental health professionals can better serve this population. The course includes a brief history of the medicalization of autism as well as current perspectives from autistic advocates on autism as a social identity. Current interventions will be discussed, as well as common co-occurring conditions, an overview of racial and gender disparities, and the social maltreatment of autistic people, including bullying, discrimination, and mental health outcomes.

Includes content on 

  • History of Autism
  • Characteristics of Autism
  • Racial and Gender Disparities
  • Co-occurring Conditions
  • Social Maltreatment of Autistic People
  • Autism Interventions
  • Autistic Advocacy
  • Strategies for Professionals

Objectives

  1. Describe at least 3 characteristics of autism and their related impact on autistic or neurodivergent individuals.
  2. Identify at least 2-3 interventions that can be used when working with autistic or neurodivergent individuals.

Instructor

Kari Sherwood, PhD, LMSW is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Human Services at The Pennsylvania State University in the College of Education. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has experience as a mental health therapist and a school social worker. Her research focuses on designing interventions focused on autistic mental health and combating autism stigma. She is a single mom to two neurodivergent teens and one neurodivergent young adult.

CE Approval Statement

The University of Michigan School of Social Work, provider #1212, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The University of Michigan School of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 5/15/2023-5/15/2026.

Social workers participating in this course will receive 2 general continuing education contact hours.

Please see the CE Policies page for more information about continuing education.

Continuing Education Offered

  • 2 hours regular asynchronous online