The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions represents one of the most clinically significant and underaddressed challenges in behavior analytic practice. Individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders face a substantially elevated risk of developing mental health disorders compared to the general population.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Council of Autism Service Providers
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Join Free →Individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders compared to the general population (CDC, 2020). The overlapping symptoms of developmental disabilities and mental health disorders, along with the challenges in assessment, can complicate detection and diagnosis (Gilmore et al., 2022, Peña-Salazar et al., 2022; Scheirs et al., 2022; Tomić et al., 2011). This interactive discussion, part of a collaborative initiative of CASP's Multi-Specialty Practices SIG, will explore the distinctions between neurodevelopmental and mental disorders, focusing on risk factors associated with their co-occurrence and identifying key warning signs (Felitti et al., 1998; Holeb et al. 2018). We will also discuss important contextual factors, effective communication approaches, and supervisory and ethical considerations (AAP, 2021; BACB, 2020; OSG, 2021; WHO, 2008). Participants will engage in practical strategies and resources for screening, referral, and care coordination (AHRQ, 2014; NIMH, 2019; RWJF, 2015; SPSTF, 2022). Please contact Paula Pompa-Craven at Paula.Pompa-Craven@essc.org should you have any APA questions or concerns!
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
| APA | 1 | — |
| COA | 1 | — |
Allyson Moore, MS, BCBA, LMFT is the Chief Professional Standards Officer for the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis (CABA). She collaborates with leadership team members in developing and implementing clinical best practices. Allyson served as President and Past President for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), currently serving as an advisor and on the ABA Coding Coalition as principal representative of APBA. She is a member of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) special interest groups of Documentation, Multispecialty Practices, and California Advocacy, and serves as chair of CASP's Client Outcomes SIG. She has extensive experience serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and mental disorders, as well as working in coordination and collaboration with primary caregivers, stakeholders, and other related public and private agencies.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
244 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.