Understanding and Working with Autistic Young People with Co-Occurring Mental Health Challenges
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Understanding and Working with Autistic Young People with Co-Occurring Mental Health Challenges

This two-day workshop will be helpful for a broad range of mental health practitioners and lived experience peer workers, who are wanting an introduction to working with autistic young people with co-occurring mental health challenges.

Autistic young people experience mental health challenges at a higher rate than the general population. This workshop will explore the features of autism in young people, including the identification of autism in a youth mental health population, together with common co-occuring mental health conditions. Methods for engaging autistic young people in assessment and treament will be explored, including risk, engagement and therapeutic modifications.

At the completion of this two-day workshop, you will be able to:

  • identify the features of autism in young people, including gender differences and understand the role of screening tools and pathways for formal assessment.
  • identify interpersonal and social challenges common in autistic young people.
  • formulate how autism might predispose a young person to experience mental health difficulties and specific suicide risk factors.
  • adapt therapeutic engagement, case formulation and treatment planning to be autism friendly, including involving families, modifying risk management and intervention skills.

Day 1 - Wednesday 20 August 2025

Day 2 - Thursday 21 August 2025

location

In-person, Parkville

This two-day workshop will be held in the Orygen Colonial Foundation Innovation Centre, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville.

Please arrive by 9.15am for a 9.30am start. Paid parking is available on site and at the Melbourne Zoo nearby. Public transport is available at Royal Park Station (Upfield line), and Tram 58 (West Coburg).

Registration