How COVID-19 and Pandemic Life Has Affected Those on the Autism Spectrum
Information
Date & Time
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Educational Goal
Participants will gain increased knowledge of mental and behavioral changes seen during the pandemic in those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
Description
So many aspects of dealing with COVID-19 have felt like “flying by the seat of our pants,” including how to help children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) survive and cope with the pandemic. Fortunately, at this point, we have information from scientists who have researched COVID-19, developed treatments, vaccines, and medications, and learned ways to mitigate its transmission. We also now have information from other scientists who have been studying the best methods for helping those with ASD cope with the changes to routines brought on by the pandemic to help them understand to the best of their ability why these changes are happening and to help them learn how to protect themselves and loved ones from infection. This three-hour webinar aims to explain what these scientists have learned in a user-friendly way and how it can help you work more effectively with your clients with ASD during the pandemic. While medical professionals are learning how to treat COVID-19, little is known about treating the emotional overlay of concerns one with ASD may develop as a result of the pandemic and teaching those on the spectrum age-appropriate ways to protect themselves and loved ones from infection.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters
Dr. Blake is a recognized national authority on Specific Learning Disorder, AD/HD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, adolescents, and adults. He has specialized for over 30 years in Specific Learning Disorder, AD/HD and ASD and lives and works as a licensed psychologist in Tucson, Arizona. Interest in these areas were spurred by his own struggles with trying to overcome Dyslexia with impairment in phonological processing, fluency, spelling and comprehension, as well as a severe sensorineural hearing loss which were all initially diagnosed at the age of 26 during his first year of a doctoral program. At that time, early 1980’s, little was known about adults with Specific Learning Disorder. As Dr. Blake struggled to learn about his own Specific Learning Disorder, he decided to make his life’s work the diagnosis and treatment of adults with Specific Learning Disorder, AD/HD and autism spectrum disorder. When Dr. Blake began his professional career, he was one of a handful of practitioners in the country with such a focus. Now he travels the country sharing his personal story and what he has learned about Specific Learning Disorder, AD/HD and Autism Spectrum Disorder with other professionals who work with these populations, individuals with these disorders, and their loved ones. Dr. Blake, an avid competitive cyclist lives with his wife, a retired psychologist and their two dogs in Tucson.