Scalable Psychopathology InteRvention Intensive Training for ID & Autism (SPIRIT-ID/A)

Duration: 11 hours (February 5–March 19, 2026)
Cost: $875; $40 add-on for CEs (group rates available; tuition remission available for qualified Drexel employees)
Start Date: Rolling Schedule, Request more information
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.

Want to learn more or be notified about the next cohort? Complete the interest form and our team will follow up with you.

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 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
• Module 2: Modifications to Behavior Approaches
• Module 3: Modifications to Cognitive Approaches

Upon completion of Module 1, trainees will be able to:

1. Articulate the differences and uses between "person-first" and "identity-first" language.
2. Describe at least two information processing differences common in autistic individuals.