Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are common and multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorders which may present at different stages of the lifespan with different target symptoms (Hollander E, Hagerman RJ, Ferretti CJ, 2022). This symposium will help educate the psychiatrist in the optimal assessment and treatment of ASD. It will raise awareness and expertise in both the practical management of ASD and new cutting-edge treatments. A review of evidence-based treatments for various target symptoms of ASD will be presented, and the role of comorbidity in treatment selection will be highlighted. Understanding the implications of comprehensive cognitive assessment in children and adults with ASD on educational, behavioral, and speech and language treatments will also be discussed, in addition to long-term follow up studies that describe patients who have optimal outcomes of ASD. The repetitive behavior domain in ASD, OCPD and OCD related disorders will be evaluated and implications for common underlying mechanisms discussed, and new targeted treatments for fragile-X syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome and other genetically homogenous syndromal forms of ASD based on molecular mechanisms will be highlighted. Families often utilize complementary and integrative treatments for ASD and the evidence for such use, and risks and benefits of these treatments will be reviewed (Hollander E, Hagerman RJ, Ferretti CJ, 2022). Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been studied for the treatment of core and associated symptom domains, and the promise and pitfalls of such treatment discussed. Neurodiversity and a review of the ASD advantage and how to use a strengths-based approach to treatment will also be discussed. The importance of involving family and caregivers in intervention planning, including using family therapy when possible, will also be reviewed.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2023.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how to accurately diagnosis children, adolescents and adults with ASD
- Review how to assess core and associated symptoms and comorbid conditions in ASD
- Discuss how to identify and select optimal psychosocial treatments for ASD
- Review how to utilize current novel and experimental pharmacological treatments for core and associated symptoms and comorbid conditions
- Teach how to provide a comprehensive medical assessment with appropriate lab testing for ASD
Target Audience
Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1.50 hours
Begin Date: April 1, 2024
End Date: April 1, 2027
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
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Eric Hollander, M.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
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Randi Hagerman, M.D., UC Davis Medical Center.
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Casara Ferretti, M.S., M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center.
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD. Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
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Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
- The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
- Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
- Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
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