Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses continue to rise across the lifespan, creating a need to build capacity for multi-disciplinary clinical services. At the same time, public discourse around neurodiversity, disability rights, and politicization of questions regarding the cause of autism has led to increases in controversy. Clinicians are seeking a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of autism that reflects cutting-edge science and the real-world systems patients navigate. This course offers a timely and multifaceted exploration of ASD, grounded in current U.S. policy debates and health care challenges.

Participants will gain an up-to-date overview of disability policy as it relates to autism research and care. Faculty will discuss best practices in assessment and diagnosis, with particular focus on recognizing ASD across diverse populations and in the presence of comorbid conditions such as ADHD. Attention will also be given to the growing awareness and clinical implications of autism in adulthood — a population often overlooked in traditional pediatric-focused models of care. Finally, methods of working with minoritized autistic youth will be explored, to improve their access to care and facilitate positive outcomes when interacting with the community.

Given ongoing national conversations about disability justice, inclusive education, insurance coverage, and access to services, the course integrates a practical understanding of relevant policy and clinical care models to help clinicians better support patients and families navigating these systems. The agenda culminates in a powerful lived experience interview, offering clinicians a direct window into the personal, social, and systemic dimensions of life with autism.

This course is designed for mental health professionals, primary care physicians, and other health care providers seeking to enhance their clinical care through a deeper, policy-informed, and person-centered understanding of autism across the lifespan. By integrating research, policy, and patient narrative, this course will equip clinicians to provide informed, respectful, and evidence-based care to ASD patients in today’s complex social and political environment.

Learning Objectives

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

• Discuss several challenges and opportunities in national disability rights policy in the context of autism.
• Differentiate between the core symptoms of ASD and ADHD, and review evidence-based treatment strategies that address the unique needs of patients with comorbid presentations.
• Identify key community partners and specialized supports for autism in adults.
• Summarize the key components of an effective diagnostic evaluation for ASD, and identify appropriate psychometric measures to support diagnostic evaluation, including patients from racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities.
• Review the clinical presentation, assessment and management of ASD in adults.
• Describe strategies to facilitate safe interactions between minoritized youth with autism and community first responders.

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:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• 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 7, 2025

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, 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)

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance
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

Lea Boldt, PhD

Clinical psychologist, Meadowlark Psychiatric Services
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospital

Glen Davies, PhD

Owner/Director, ABLE Developmental Clinic Inc.
Co-Director, Autism Integrated Medical Services at Pacific Autism Family Network

Ashlee Flanagan, PhD

Research Psychologist, Center for Autism Research (CAR), Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Todd Kopelman, PhD, BCBA

Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa

Michael Lewis

Medical Interpreter, Multiple Languages, Cambridge Health Alliance

Ari Ne'eman, PhD

Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Julia Parish-Morris, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Senior Principal Scientist, Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Jessica Stubbing, PhD

Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Member of the Faculty of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

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 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 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 7.0 continuing education credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. 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 7.0 contact hours.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. 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 7.0 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.0 credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Family Therapists

Application for LMFT continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. 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.

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 on the European Union of Medical Specialties website..

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.

Disclosure

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 Policy

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 judgment 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.

Review the cancellation policy.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Physician (MD/DO)

$290 / ($260 if registered by Wednesday, October 9, 2025)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by Wednesday, October 9, 2025)