“Best Practices for Assessing Autism in Youth and Adults in Community Settings”
February 27, 2025 | Bryant Conference Center
1:00-4:00 PM
Workshop Description:
This introductory workshop will help practitioners better understand how to identify and assess autism across the lifespan using a comprehensive approach, including an overview of standardized instruments that can facilitate evaluations in community settings. We will review best-practice guidelines for autism assessments, including issues related to appropriate- and inappropriate- application of standardized diagnostic instruments in community settings. This will include an overview of the course of autism across the lifespan, specifically how the presentation of autism differs beyond childhood and common co-occurring conditions and diagnostic differentials for youth and adults on the spectrum. Translating assessment findings into recommendations for intervention using a strengths-based framework, including the range of challenges and achievements for individuals on the spectrum, will also be reviewed.
About the Presenter:
Elisabeth Sheridan, PhD is the Director of the Clinical Core at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and an Associate Professor at Drexel University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for individuals with a range of developmental, learning, social-emotional, and behavioral differences, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is engaged in clinical, research, and training initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Dr. Sheridan’s research interests include the dissemination and implementation of best practices for autistic people in community settings. She is a Co-Principal Investigator of the Dissemination and Outreach Core for Drexel’s NIH Autism Center of Excellence Center grant: “Public Health and Autism Science Advancing Equitable Strategies across the Life Course (PHASES).” PHASES employs a public health research framework to examine health determinants, health services delivery and health inequity- especially in under-represented diverse populations – and the impact of these forces on autistic people’s health outcomes.
Dr. Sheridan is also dedicated to training other clinicians and researchers. She is a certified trainer in several evidence-based tools, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. She has advanced training in many intervention modalities, including RUBI Parent Coaching, Facing Your Fears, PEERS, and the Secret Agent Society. Dr. Sheridan also has advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Structured Teaching (TEACCH). She is a strong advocate for autistic individuals and their families. She is dedicated to tailoring intervention and training efforts to incorporate an individuals’ specific strengths and values, with the goal of providing services and supports that will optimize quality of life and promote acceptance.
Registration Fee
The registration fee for the pre-conference is $60.00 per person. The fee includes CEUs and beverages.
Register to attend the pre-conference workshop!Continuing Education
The pre-conference is planned to meet the various requirements for professional development from the following organizations. As these continuing education (CE) applications are approved, we will update this page to reflect the number of approved CE hours available:
- Continuing Medical Education: pending 2.75 hours
- Alabama Board of Nursing: approved 3.8 contact hours
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners: approved 2.75 contact hours
- National Board of Certified Counselors (ACEP# 7285): approved 2.75 contact hours
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration or to change instructors. To cancel your registration, contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000.
Special Accommodation Requests
Note: The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accommodation requests should be made at least 30 calendar days before the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Questions?
For more information, contact Emily Townsend at professionaldevelopment@ua.edu or 205-348-0356.