Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly variable and complex condition that challenges clinicians to accurately assess and effectively treat. The prevalence of ASD is increasing, and as a result it is becoming more common in a wide range of settings other than just specialty clinics. Clinicians are seeking a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of autism that acknowledges the real-world systems patients and providers navigate.

The objective of this course is to provide the skills and tools clinicians need in practice to provide accurate assessment, documentation and interventions for ASD. Our expert faculty will discuss common challenges encountered in the clinical setting; pharmacotherapy for children and adults; strengths and weaknesses of common assessment tools; evidence-based psychotherapies adapted for people with ASD; and factors that contribute to inequities in autism care across health care, educational, and community settings.

A special highlight this year will be an interactive demonstration of a patient assessment using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and DSM-5 diagnostic interview. The day will culminate in a lived experience panel with family members sharing their unique and impactful stories.

Join us in Spring 2027 to boost your skills in identifying and treating these challenging aspects of ASD. All clinicians treating children, adolescents, or adults with autism are welcome!

Learning Objectives

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

• Devise strategies to navigate common clinical challenges that arise, such as special education, IEPs, guardianship, and bullying.
• Review updates to pharmacotherapy for children and adults with autism.
• Identify the strengths and limitations of the ADOS-2 assessment tool.
• Demonstrate application of the CARS and DSM 5 diagnostic interview in diagnosis of ASD.
• Discuss the implementation and effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapies adapted for people with ASD, including those at the intersection of gender identity, and autism.
• Examine and consider solutions for individual, systemic, and structural factors that contribute to inequities in autism care across health care, educational, and community settings.
• Describe the challenges and joys of a family supporting a child with ASD before and following diagnosis, and setting up school and home supports.

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 us.

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.

Rachel Goldin, PhD

Staff Psychologist, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School 

Ji Su Hong, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Christopher Keary, MD

Behavioral Director, Angelman Syndrome Behavioral Clinic, Staff Psychiatrist, Lurie Center for Autism and Assistant Program Director, Multidisciplinary Clinic for Children, Adolescents & Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School 

Christopher McDougle, MD

Director, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital
Nancy Lurie Marks Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Jamie Pearson, PhD

Associate Professor of Special Education and Educational Equity, Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences, North Carolina State University 

Jessica Stubbing, D. Clin Psych

Staff Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Department and Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Course Directors

Margaret Weiss, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)

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

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in 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 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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.

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. 

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 7.25 continuing education credits.

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

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. 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 7.25 contact hours.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a 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 7.25 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.25 credits.

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

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT Professional Continuing Education. Certification #215576644, for 7.25 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

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

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

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. Session recordings are available 30 days after the course ends.

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 Thursday, March 11, 2027)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by Thursday, March 11, 2027)