On-Demand Webinar: Unmasking the Lives of Autistic Females: Developmental, Clinical, and Diagnostic Considerations
This on-demand webinar provides an overview of autism in females throughout the lifespan. It will examine biological and neurological theories accounting for sex differences. The on-demand webina will also explore clinical presentations of autism in females, including diagnostic markers, unique strengths, and common phenomena, such as masking and camouflaging. It will focus on barriers to timely and accurate identification, as well as consequences of getting a late diagnosis. It will discuss co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions as they relate to differential diagnosis and treatment directions. It will review the benefits of accurate diagnosis, with an emphasis on the perspectives of autistic people, their families, and the neurodiverse community. Finally, the course will explore diagnostic approaches for accurate assessment of autistic females, including recommendations for clinicians working with this population.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this on-demand webinar, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the clinical presentation of autism in females, and why females have historically been misdiagnosed or overlooked;
- Explain how cultural and societal expectations contribute to compensatory mechanisms like masking, and how this impacts quality of life; and
- Identify strategies to improve assessment and diagnostic accuracy for autistic females.
Registration Cost
Number of Contact Hours Offered
2.5
Presenter Bio(s)
A licensed clinical psychologist specializing in autism, Dr. Sterling is founder and director of The Sterling Institute for Autism. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychobiology from UCLA, and her master’s degree and PhD in child clinical psychology from the University of Washington (UW) Autism Center. At UW, while researching social and emotional processing among autistic adults, Dr. Sterling found that emotional symptoms frequently associated with ASD were often the most distressing aspects of life for autistic individuals. It became her passion to support autistic adolescents and adults struggling with these symptoms.
She completed her predoctoral clinical internship in developmental disabilities at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. As a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA, Dr. Sterling obtained NIH funding to study the physiology of anxiety and stress response in autistic youth. She pursued specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy targeting anxiety in autistic youth.
Dr. Sterling then served on the clinical faculty in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and as a staff psychologist at the UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic. She became an interim assistant professor and director of the Autism Center at Claremont McKenna College, followed by three years as a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University Long Beach. There, she directed a research laboratory investigating depression, anxiety, and quality of life among autistic college students.
Dr. Sterling left academia in 2018 to serve the autistic community more directly through clinical work, and founded The Sterling Institute for Autism in 2021. She has extensive experience conducting comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and providing therapy for autistic individuals.
In addition to her published peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Sterling has co-authored a 10-week group intervention to support autistic adults in developing dating and relationship skills and published a book on social skills for autistic teens. She speaks on topics such as neurodiversity, gender and sexuality among autistic people, autism in the workplace, comorbid psychiatric conditions in autistic teens and adults, the transition from adolescence to adulthood, and “twice exceptional” neurodivergent students.
Disclosures
Presenters receive an honorarium and royalties for their presentation and from the sale of the webinar.
Original Webinar Date
April 17, 2024
Webinar Duration
150 minutes
Instructional Level
Introductory
Target Audience
School psychologists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), licensed behavior analysts (LBAs), behavior specialists, counselors, teachers, special education teachers, speech–language pathologists (SLPs), and occupational therapists (OTs).
Agenda
The on-demand courses are designed to be self-paced. You can start and stop as needed. You must watch the videos in their entirety before taking the CE test.
Registration and Confirmation
Customers will purchase their course on the WPS website by adding selected item(s) to their cart and completing their transaction with a credit card. Customers who wish to pay with a purchase order will need to contact a representative at 844-378-4918. Once payment is rendered, customers will receive a sales order confirmation email, followed by an email that contains the License Key link. Customers will click on the link to register on the WPS website or sign in if they have already registered. There, customers will be able to access course(s). Once registered, customers will receive a registration confirmation email.
Refund/Cancellation Policy and Late Registration/Transfer Fees
The on-demand courses available through the WPS Professional Learning Center (WPS ProLearn™) cannot be returned after they have been accessed and cannot be transferred.
Webinar Completion Requirements
To obtain your Certificate of Completion for on-demand CE courses, you must first watch the video. Then, answer the questions contained in the post-test on the WPS Professional Learning Center (WPS ProLearn™) and submit the post-test for scoring. A post-course evaluation survey will also be provided for you to submit feedback to WPS.
In order for a Certificate to be issued, you must pass the post-test with a score of 75% or higher. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you will be allowed two opportunities to retake the post-test. If you do not pass after a total of three attempts, you will need to repurchase access to the materials. We recommend that you make a copy of your post-test answers for your records before submitting them to WPS for scoring. All Certificates of Completion will be provided electronically in the WPS ProLearn system. No partial credit will be awarded.
Special Needs Request
WPS will make accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require specific accommodations, please email prolearn@wpspublish.com prior to or at the time of course registration so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Continuing Education Credit
APA Approved Sponsor
2.5 CEs
WPS is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. WPS maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
NBCC
2.5 CEs
Western Psychological Services (WPS) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7646. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Western Psychological Services (WPS) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
The educational offerings available through WPS may qualify for continuing education credit as required by a variety of other national, state, and local licensing boards and professional organizations. If you need CE credit from an organization other than those listed, please contact your own board or organization to determine specific course and filing requirements.
AOTA
.25 CEUs
WPS is an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Approved Provider of professional development. Course Approval ID #10107. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.
AOTA APP Category: Category 1 - Occupational Therapy Service Delivery – Evaluation
Contact Us
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