Duration: 30 hours over 15 weeks
Cost: $975 (individual rate; group contract rates available.
Expected Start Date: January 2025
Microcredential Granted Upon Completion

Members of the autistic community aim to achieve full and productive lives and deserve to be understood for their unique abilities. Many efforts to support, serve, and include autistic individuals provide a limited perspective of the complexities of autism, or perpetuate outdated myths about the ways autistic people experience the world.

This program is designed to debunk common myths, explore recent scientific findings, and gain insight into the lived experience of those with autism. Its goal is to provide professionals in education, health, and human services (e.g., direct support professionals, 1:1 aides, nurses) with the knowledge they need to engage more effectively and humanely with members of the autistic community. Family members and caregivers of autistic individuals are also encouraged to enroll. Topics covered include clinical features of autism, managing stressful events, double empathy, social relationships, neurodiversity, and autistic culture.

ISLEA is co-taught by instructors with research/clinical expertise and lived experience, exemplifying the principle of “Nothing about us, without us.”

Learning Concepts:

ISLEA participants will:

• Develop a deeper, more reflective and empathic way of caring for autistic individuals
• Learn ways to work more effectively with people across the autism spectrum
• Gain a better understanding of the science and lived experience of autism, thereby reducing stress and burnout

Format:

ISLEA is 30 hours of online learning over the course of 15 weeks, consisting of:

• 15 asynchronous (learn on your own time) 60-90 minute sessions and
• 15 synchronous (learn with the instructors and up to 15 other learners) 30-minute sessions

For more information about ISLEA, complete the interest form and the SCTL team will follow up with you.

Duration: Basic Course: 11 hours; Advanced Course: 6 - 8 hours
Cost: Basic Course: $875; Advanced Course Add-On: $500 for 6 session consultation series/$750 for 8 session consultation series (group contract rates also available)
Expected Start Date: January 2025
Microcredential Granted Upon Completion
Eligible for CEUs upon request

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 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 two components (Basic and Advanced):

1. SPIRIT-ID/A Basic Course (up to 40 participants)
   • 3 asynchronous (learn on your own time) sessions: 2-3 hours of content
   • 4 synchronous (learn with the instructors and other learners) 1-hour sessions
2. SPIRIT-ID/A Advanced Course (~8 – 10 participants)
   • Trainees must complete the Basic Course to be considered for SPIRIT-ID/A Advanced Course
   • 6 - 8 synchronous 1-hour monthly consultation sessions

Course Prerequisites:

Familiarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles

For more information about SPIRIT-ID/A, complete the interest form and the SCTL team will follow up with you.