Therapy with Autistic & Neurodivergent Children and Adolescent
Credit Available - See CEs/Contact Hours tab below.
Total Credits: 3.25 NYSED LMSW & LCSW CEs/Contact Hours, 3.25 NYSED LMHC CEs/Contact Hours, 3.25 NYSED LMFT CEs/Contact Hours, 3.25 NYSED LCAT CEs/Contact Hours, 3.25 NYSED PSY CEs/Contact Hours, 2.75 ASWB ACE approved continuing education, 3.25 UBSW - NYS OASAS
- Average Rating:
- 94
- Categories:
- Children and Adolescents | Therapeutic Modalities | Certificate Program: Online Trauma-Informed Clinical Foundation | Online Trauma-Informed Clinical Foundation: Elective Courses | Certificate Program: Trauma-Informed Care & Counseling | Care & Counseling: Elective Courses | Trauma and PTSD | Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders | Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Trainer:
- Diane Gould, LCSW
- Course Levels:
- Beginning and Intermediate
- Duration:
- 2 Hours 49 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Original Recording Date:
- Nov 14, 2025
- Format:
- Self-Study
Description
Recorded webinar.
Description: This workshop will cover the current understanding of neurodiversity and autism which challenges outdated and stereotypical perceptions that are still pervasive in society, including the mental health field. The medical model of autism will be discussed and replaced with the social model. It is imperative for mental health professionals to understand neurodivergent clients in order to effectively help them. Many current Evidence-Based treatment models need to be modified and individualized for autistic clients. The workshop will discuss a relationship based neuroaffirming and trauma-informed approach to working with clients.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate from historical outdated descriptions of autistic people from more inclusive and accurate descriptions
- Explain the approach necessary for providing therapy to autistic individuals
- Explain of limitations of traditional therapeutic practices
Research:
Books: Navigating PDA in America: A Framework to Support Anxious, Demand-Avoidant Autistic Children, Teens and Young Adults. (2024) JKP London
Is This Autism?, Donna Henderson, Sarah Wayland, Jamell White (2024) Routledge Publishing
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, PhD (2022) Harmony Publishers
Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and facility therapists, psychologists, addiction professionals, case managers, and other interested individuals.
Customer ServiceWe are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.
ADA Accommodations: If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.
CEs/Contact Hours
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0001. Continuing education contact hours: 3.25 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0008. Continuing education contact hours: 3.25 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0007. Continuing education contact hours: 3.25 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists #CAT-0003. Continuing education contact hours: 3.25 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0062. Continuing education contact hours: 3.25 Self-Study
University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, #1773, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 02/23/2023 - 02/23/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2.75 continuing education credits.
NYS OASAS Provider #0045: 3.25 hours for : CPP & CPS Initial Hours in Section 1; CASAC, CPP & CPS Renewal Hours.
Handouts
| SS Autistic and Neurodivergent Agenda (41.2 KB) | Download | ||
| Therapy with autistic and neurodivergent C & A - 1 pp (23.41 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Therapy with autistic and neurodivergent C & A - 3 pp (3.51 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Autistic and Neurodivergent References (69.7 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Trainer
Diane Gould, LCSW Related Seminars and Products
Diane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that specializes in serving autistic individuals. As the Executive Director and Founder of PDA North America, she founded the annual PDA North America conference held in Chicago that has changed the lives of hundreds of PDA (pathological demand avoidance/persistent drive for autonomy) families. She co-authored the book Navigating PDA in America with Ruth Fidler which was published in June 2024. In April 2024, Diane was diagnosed as autistic.
Diane has a private practice in the suburbs of Chicago, where she serves neurodivergent children, adults and their families. Over the last 40 plus years, she has worked for both private agencies and school systems. Diane has always been fascinated by human behavior and has worked to better understand and support individuals with distressed behavior over the years. She currently focuses her practice on providing consultation and training. She works primarily with parents and regularly attends school meetings with them. Diane loves to train educators and therapists so they can better serve their students and clients.
Agenda
Welcome, Introductions, Expectations
Mindset
PDA
Understanding autism and neurodiversity
Characteristics of neurodivergent clients
Complex Issues facing neurodivergent clients
Providing Therapy to neurodivergent clients
Voices from therapists treating neurodivergent clients and therapy experiences
Self-Study Equipment Requirements
Required Hardware
- A computer (desktop/laptop) or mobile device (smartphone/tablet).
- Speakers/headphones/earbuds
Internet Connection
- A stable Internet connection of 56K or greater is required. (However, please note that a 56K connection may degrade the quality of your experience.)
Any questions about these requirements or other technical questions can be directed to sw-ce@buffalo.edu.
Self-Study Course Access
Upon successful registration of the course, including receipt of payment, you will be able to access the course materials.
How do I test my system / access the online training?
To access the program, please log into your account. Click on the Launch Viewer button next to your program title.
How do I access the course materials
To download course materials, log into your account. Under the seminar name click on the Handouts button.
Completion Requirements
No partial credit is given for partial attendance.
Self-Study Completion Requirements
In order to receive a certificate of completion for this course participants must complete the following.
Please note all requirements can be found in your UBCE21 portal
- Watch the video(s) in it's entirety.
- After the training, take and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or higher. Participants have three chances to pass the quiz. You can access the quiz by clicking on the "Evaluation and Certificate" button for this course.
- After the training, complete the evaluation by clicking on the "Evaluation and Certificate" button for this course.
The certificate of completion will be immediately generated in your account upon completion of all course requirements. Certificates may be downloaded, printed, or left in your account.
Self-Study Cancellation Policy
Self-Study Courses: Participants have up to 72 hours from purchase to contact the Office of Continuing Education by email and request a refund.