🎓 Harvard Medical School 2024
Navigating the Frontiers of Autism 2024
Explore Cutting-Edge Insights in Autism Diagnosis & Treatment
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Course Overview
Despite advances in recent years, there are several aspects of autism and its clinical care that are not well understood. These 'gray areas' require exploration and further research to improve our capacity to provide tailored and optimal clinical care to patients.
Clinicians must keep up to date on this widely variable disorder and the latest innovative strategies to treat it. This comprehensive course tackles the most pressing challenges in autism care today.
🎯 New Frontiers We'll Explore:
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✓ Differences in how autism presents in girls
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✓ Missed or inappropriate diagnosis in less obvious cases
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✓ The relationship between autism and gender identity
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✓ The overlap of autism and ADHD
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✓ Medication management for associated symptoms
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✓ Multi-modal approaches to irritability in autism
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✓ Addressing racial, ethnic, and social disparities in autism care
🎓 Learning Objectives
Identify autism markers in girls and high-functioning individuals
Explore gender identity issues in people with autism
Manage executive function in ASD using targeted strategies
Master pharmacologic management of associated symptoms
Utilize strategies to manage irritability in ASD
Address health disparities in minoritized autism patients
📚 Detailed Session Breakdown
SESSION 1
🕘 9:15 – 10:15 AM
Understanding and Assessing Autism
Speaker: Dr. Donna Henderson, PsyD
✅ Key Focus:
- How autism presents differently in girls and high-functioning individuals
- Camouflaging behaviors and why many go undiagnosed
- Differentiating autism from similar conditions
- Practical tools for better identification and assessment
📌 Why it Matters: Many individuals—especially women and high-functioning autistic people—are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. Learn subtle diagnostic markers for accurate assessments.
SESSION 2
🕙 10:20 – 11:20 AM
Comorbid ADHD & Autism: Executive Function Challenges
Speaker: Dr. Russell Schachar, MD, FRCP(C)
✅ Key Focus:
- The frequent overlap of ADHD and autism
- Understanding executive function deficits in ASD + ADHD
- Differentiating ASD from ADHD using cognitive assessments
- Best practices for managing attention and impulse control
📌 Why it Matters: Up to 50% of autistic individuals also meet criteria for ADHD. This session clarifies interventions for dual diagnoses.
SESSION 3
🕚 11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
Managing Irritability in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Speaker: Dr. Raman Baweja, MBBS, MD, MS
✅ Key Focus:
- Understanding causes of irritability in autistic individuals
- Pharmacological vs. non-medication approaches
- Role of atypical antipsychotics in ASD-related irritability
- Importance of behavioral interventions alongside medication
📌 Why it Matters: Irritability and emotional dysregulation significantly affect daily functioning. Proper assessment improves quality of life.
SESSION 4
🕐 1:05 – 2:05 PM
Psychopharmacology: Clinical Gaps & Recent Advances
Speaker: Dr. Robyn Thom, MD
✅ Key Focus:
- Evidence-based medications for ASD-related symptoms
- Managing comorbid mood disorders and anxiety
- Advances in single-gene disorder treatments linked to ASD
- Future directions in autism psychopharmacology
📌 Why it Matters: No FDA-approved medications exist for core autism symptoms. Understanding evolving treatment strategies is crucial.
SESSION 5
🕑 2:10 – 3:10 PM
"Stuck at the Crossroads": The Intersection of Developmental Delay & Social Inequity
Speaker: Dr. Margaret Weiss, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
✅ Key Focus:
- How race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status affect autism diagnosis
- The delayed diagnosis crisis in minoritized communities
- Barriers to accessing ABA, speech therapy, and mental health care
- Role of health literacy, insurance, and stigma in disparities
📌 Why it Matters: Marginalized communities receive later diagnoses and less treatment, leading to worse outcomes. Learn to advocate for equitable care.
SESSION 6
🕒 3:15 – 4:15 PM
Gender Diversity, Autism, and Mental Health
Speaker: Dr. Anna van der Miesen, MD, PhD
✅ Key Focus:
- High prevalence of autism in transgender individuals
- Unique mental health needs of gender-diverse autistic individuals
- Intersection of autism, gender identity, and neurodiversity-affirming care
- Clinical considerations for supporting gender-diverse clients
📌 Why it Matters: Up to 22.5% of transgender adolescents are autistic. Learn about affirming care at the intersection of gender and autism.
⭐ SPECIAL SESSION
🕓 4:20 – 5:50 PM
💬 Lived Experience Panel: Real Stories from Autistic Individuals & Families
Moderators: Dr. Margaret Weiss & Dr. Peter Daniolos
✅ Key Focus:
- First-hand experiences from autistic individuals & caregivers
- How clinicians can improve patient-provider relationships
- Impact of late diagnosis on mental health
- Challenges and strengths of living with autism
📌 Why it Matters: Hearing directly from autistic individuals provides insights research alone cannot capture. Bridge the gap between clinicians and patients.
👨⚕️ Who You Will Learn From
Faculty from Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance, Penn State Health, and the University of Toronto—including Drs. Margaret Weiss, Peter Daniolos, Donna Henderson, Russell Schachar, Raman Baweja, Robyn Thom, and Anna van der Miesen.
👥 820 Participants
⭐ 99% Positive
🎥 Live Virtual • Q&A
