This webinar will help participants to understand how Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) present in adolescents and young people experiencing comorbid mental health conditions. Overviews of etiology, the diagnostic process, common mental health comorbidities and differential diagnoses will be presented.
Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is suitable for mental health clinicians and researchers who work with adolescents and young people in mental health services, primary care settings and other areas of health and human services.
What will you learn in this webinar?
- The history of ASDs and an overview of the current research in relation to the etiology of ASDs.
- A basic understanding of the diagnostic process for ASDs.
- Complexities of diagnosing ASDs in the context of comorbid mental health conditions including diagnostic overlap and differential diagnoses.
Prior knowledge or reading
Viewers are to be asked to download a copy of slides prior to viewing webinar and to have this with them when they view the webinar.
Presenter
Johanna Rouse, Coordinator - Neurodevelopmental Stream and Senior Occupational Therapist, Orygen Youth Health
Johanna has over 12 years experience working in public and private mental health settings. She has worked predominantly with young people and their families for the past 10 years providing both individual and group-based interventions. Johanna is experienced in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and comorbid mental health conditions such as mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders.
Melanie Cooke, Autism Spectrum Disorders Senior Clinician and Clinical Psychologist, Orygen Youth Health.
Melanie has worked with young people and families in public mental health and community services for the last nine years. She is experienced in working with a range of complex mental health difficulties, including psychosis, mood, anxiety and personality issues. Melanie has a particular interest in working with young autistic people experiencing mental ill-health, and in training other clinicians in this area.