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Duration: 11 hours (February 5-March 19, 2026)
Cost: $875; $35 add-on for CEs (group rates available; tuition remission available for qualified Drexel employees)
Start Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
Continuing Education Credits: up to 11 hours, through American Psychological Association (APA), Pennsylvania State Board of Social Work (PA SBSW), or International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
For group rates or tuition remission, please email the training team.

An estimated 60-70% of autistic children meet criteria for at least one additional psychiatric disorder (Rosen et., 2018), but many clinicians do not feel adequately trained to address the mental health needs of autistic youth, and/or those with intellectual disability.

The Scalable Psychopathology InteRvention Intensive Training for ID & Autism (SPIRIT-ID/A) training program teaches mental health practitioners skills they need to adapt cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat co-occurring mental health disorders in this underserved group. Co-led by psychologists with over 50 years of combined autism clinical and research expertise, as well as autistic providers, SPIRIT-ID/A covers understanding autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), behavioral modifications, and cognitive modifications. Throughout the course the content takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach and incorporates lived-experience perspectives.

Learning Concepts:
Participants who complete the program will be able to:

Identify core features and individual differences of autism that can impact mental health treatment Articulate key differences and similarities in how to apply CBT to treat co-occurring mental health conditions in those with autism and/or ID Demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to the treatment of mental health conditions among those with autism and/or ID

Format: SPIRIT-ID/A is a fully online training with three (3) learning modules, totaling seven (7) sessions of alternating live and on-demand learning content.

• Module 1: Welcome and Introduction to Autism and IDD
  • February 5, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET, live session (learn with the instructors and other learners)
  • Week of February 9-13, 2026, on-demand session (learn on your own time)
  • February 19, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET, live session 
    
• Module 2: Modifications to Behavior Approaches
  • Week of February 23-27, 2026, on-demand session
  • March 5, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET, live session 
• Module 3: Modifications to Cognitive Approaches
  • Week of March 9-13, 2026, on-demand session
  • March 19, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM ET, live session 

Upon completion of the course, trainees will be able to: 

Module 1: Introduction to SPIRIT-ID/A, Autism, and IDD 

1. Articulate the differences and uses between “person-first” and “identify-first” language.  
2. Describe at least two information processing differences common in autistic individuals.  
3. Articulate the importance of modifying and tailoring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to neurodevelopmental/ Autism information processing differences when treating co-occurring anxiety and/or OCD.  
4. Describe at least two strategies to modify the treatment to better support autistic individuals and clients with Intellectual Disability (ID).  

Module 2: Modifications to Behavioral Approaches 

1. Describe the Prevent-Replace-Respond model.  
2. Describe at least two prevention strategies that can be used to address anxiety and/or OCD in autistic individuals.  
3. Describe at least two teaching/replacement strategies that can be used to address anxiety and/or OCD in autistic individuals. 
4. Describe at least two consequence strategies that can be used to address anxiety and/or OCD in autistic individuals.  

 Module 3: Modifications to Cognitive Approaches  

1. Describe the use of gradual exposure to treat anxiety and/or OCD in autistic individuals. 
2. Describe how psychoeducation can be modified or adapted for autistic individuals without Intellectual Disability (ID). 
3. Describe how cognitive restructuring can be modified or adapted for autistic individuals without Intellectual Disability (ID).
4. Describe at least two modifications to CBT with exposure to address anxiety and/or OCD in individuals with Intellectual Disability (ID).  

Course Prerequisites:
Familiarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles

This upcoming SPIRIT-ID/A cohort will be led by:

Dena Gassner, PhD, MSW (she/her): Co-Developer and Instructor
Dr. Dena Gassner is a Senior Research Scientist at Drexel University and is a member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) aiding the White House in identifying and addressing autism research. Her research has focused on barriers to accessing Social Security Disability for first time, late diagnosed autistic applicants. She has also participated in multiple other projects including co-chairing the AIR-P autistic researcher’s team, research on mental and physical health challenges for autistic and other IDD populations. She identifies as an autistic researcher and is the parent to two neurodivergent adults. 

Tamara Rosen, PhD (she/her): Instructor
Tamara Rosen, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and assistant professor at the Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Her interests are in expanding access to evidence-based assessment and mental health services for neurodivergent individuals. Dr. Rosen is also passionate about increasing neuroaffirming care in medical settings. Dr. Rosen is a licensed clinical psychologist. She has expertise in providing CBT to autistic and neurotypical individuals and differential diagnostic assessment of autism and co-occurring challenges. Her research examines the efficacy and effectiveness of CBT for autistic individuals with anxiety. In addition, her research examines the phenomenology and assessment of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms in autism, with a focus on depression and anxiety.  

Ashley Dubin, PhD, BCBA (she/her): Instructor
Ashley Dubin, PhD, BCBA is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the Clinical Core of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. She has expertise in assessment and intervention for individuals with a range of developmental, social-emotional, learning, and behavioral diagnoses and differences, including autism spectrum disorder. She has experience providing clinical, supervision, and training/consultative services as well as assisting with research and program evaluation initiatives focused on ways to best support neurodivergent individuals and their families across academic, medical, and community settings.

Registration is now open, and the last day to register is Monday, February 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

If you are interested in SPIRIT-ID/A, but unable to attend this scheduled cohort, please complete the interest form and the SCTL team will follow up with you.

SPIRIT-ID/A is approved to offer the following continuing education credits: 
Trainees are required to confirm with their governing body that credits from APA, PA SBSW, or IACET will be accepted.  

Psychologists (APA)
Up to 11 hours CE credit hours for Psychologists will be awarded. BHTEN is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. BHTEN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  

LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT(PA SBSW Licensed Social Workers in Pennsylvania)
Drexel University College of Medicine is a pre-approved provider of continuing education for social workers and clinical social workers. This program is being offered for 11 hours of continuing education. 

Continuing Education Credits (International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET))
Drexel University College of Medicine/Behavioral Healthcare Education has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102. In obtaining this approval, Drexel University College of Medicine/Behavioral Healthcare Education has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/ IACET Standard which is widely recognized as the Standard of good practice internationally. As a result of their Authorized Provider accreditation status Drexel University College of Medicine/Behavioral Healthcare Education is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/ IACET Standard. The Drexel University College of Medicine/Behavioral Healthcare Education is authorized by IACET to offer 0.11 CE Units for this program. 

Trainees are required to confirm with their governing body that credits from APA, PA SBSW, or IACET will be accepted.