CPHSSWCE0419 - Social Work Practice with Individuals who have an Autism Diagnosis
Course Description
Course Description: Clinical social workers can support and facilitate growth for individuals with autism and their families along the continuum of diagnoses, assessment and connection to appropriate resources. This course will help social workers appropriately diagnose and assess for Autism using systems and person in the environment theoretical frameworks. Participants will feel comfortable providing services to children, adolescents and either families and understand how Autism affects the individual and how the individual relates to their environment. In turn, individuals and families will have a better relationship with each other and their community.
Target Audience: Beginner
Course Outline
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Education
- Defining autism
- Autism is a Spectrum
- Language used: Neuro-diversity v. person first perspectives
- Prevalence and over diagnosis
- Social justice (overall lack of resources in the community)
- Theory of mind
- Treatment –evidence-based practices
- How Autism affects children, adults and families
- Co-occurring medical concerns
Engagement (Forming a relationship)
Assessment/diagnosis
- DSM classification (Levels)
- Types of evaluations
- What are the client’s strengths
- What are the barriers (Core deficits)
Treatment planning
- PIE
- Systems
- Social skills
- Development
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Break
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM: How to work in an interdisciplinary team
- Providers
- Speech, OT, PT, SI, Education, BCBA, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Neurologist/genetics, GI, feeding and insurance companies
Treatment options
- Therapy, education, family work, community, medical
Interventions
- Different tips and tricks (activities)
- Technology
Termination
Learner Outcomes
At the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify the language used when working with individuals with autism
- Identify the criteria for autism in the DSM V
- Utilize ecological theory to support the effectiveness of family involvement
When participants return to the workplac, they will be able to:
- Accurately diagnose autism in individuals across the life span
- Identify strategies to engage and develop therapeutic relationships with individuals with autism
- Work effectively in an interdisciplinary team to support individuals with autism