Clinical Care for Autistic Adults

Overview

What you will study

Upon completion of the Clinical Care for Autistic Adults course offered by Harvard University, participants will be able to:

• Describe the diversity of presentations of autism.  

• Describe the diagnostic criteria and process for ASD.  

• Identify common symptoms of co-occurring medical conditions.  

• Outline treatment or management of co-occurring conditions across the lifespan. 

• Explain how age, levels of independence of individuals with ASD, and guardianship can affect a patient’s medical care.  

• Describe clinician obligations to patients under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

• Demonstrate effective, respectful communication habits in a wellness visit.  

• Outline effective procedure planning and communication practices. 

• Describe approaches for coordinated and patient-centered transitions of care and physician-to-physician hand-offs.  

• Trace key social support system changes and their impact on health and how health care is accessed across the lifespan.  

• Describe the strengths and limitations of telehealth with regard to health care access and equity for patients with ASD .   

• Outline protocols for caring for adult patients with ASD in a crisis, including emergency department care and crisis prevention.  

• Identify the gaps that may exist for support of health care transitions for individuals with ASD in medical settings with which you are familiar. 

• Describe how to build a case for health care improvement for individuals with ASD in your current practice context.  

• Propose the composition of an effective ASD advocacy team, including roles and responsibilities for your current practice context. 

• Explain how health care benefits and insurance policies affect the care for patients with ASD across the lifespan.  

• Review clinician tools and resources that support prepared and inclusive care practices for adults with ASD and their caregivers.