Autism in Mental Health

This advanced training provides mental health professionals with a deep dive into the clinical presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Moving beyond stereotypes, we examine how autism is frequently masked or misdiagnosed as personality or mood disorders.

Trainees will explore the "Double Empathy Problem," decode high-risk language, and address complex co-morbidities like eating disorders and addiction. The course emphasizes practical, neuro-affirming strategies for assessment and treatment.
Less...

Learning Objectives

  • Identify common "masked" presentations of autism and distinguish them from BPD, OCD, and Anxiety.
  • Differentiate between genuine suicidal intent and autistic burnout/sensory overwhelm using the "Language of Distress" model.
  • Explain the "Double Empathy Problem" and its impact on the therapeutic alliance.
  • Recognize the sensory-based drivers of ARFID and Substance Use Disorder in autistic clients.
  • Adapt CBT and DBT modalities to be neuro-affirming rather than compliance-based.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT's.

Friday, February 20, 2026

Live Interactive Webinar

09:00 AM EST - 10:00 AM EST

EARN 1 CE Credit Hours

About the speaker

Agenda

1-HOUR TRAINING AGENDA
Autism in Mental Health
0:00 – 0:05
Welcome & Learning Objectives
• Brief overview of why autistic presentations are frequently misdiagnosed in behavioral health
• Review of training objectives
• Framing the concept of masking and neuro-affirming care
0:05 – 0:15
Masked Autism vs. BPD, OCD & Anxiety
• Common “masked” autistic presentations in adolescents and adults
• How social masking, camouflaging, and compliance mimic personality and anxiety disorders
• Key diagnostic differences between:
Autism vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
Autism vs. OCD
Autism vs. Generalized & Social Anxiety
• Red flags that suggest neurodivergent burnout rather than psychiatric pathology
0:15 – 0:25
The Language of Distress Model
• Differentiating genuine suicidal intent from autistic burnout and sensory overwhelm
• Autistic distress signals vs. neurotypical crisis indicators
• Understanding shutdown, meltdowns, and withdrawal as nervous system responses
• Clinical questions that clarify risk while preventing misinterpretation
0:25 – 0:35
The Double Empathy Problem & Therapeutic Rupture
• What the Double Empathy Problem is
• How mutual misinterpretation damages rapport and trust
• Neurotypical bias in traditional therapy models
• Strategies for repairing alliance and reducing unintentional harm
0:35 – 0:45
Sensory-Based Drivers of ARFID & Substance Use
• Sensory processing differences and their role in:
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Substance use as sensory modulation
• Why “noncompliance” is often nervous system protection
• Clinical indicators of sensory-driven behavior patterns
0:45 – 0:55
Neuro-Affirming CBT & DBT Adaptations
• Moving from compliance-based to nervous-system-informed care
• Adapting CBT thought records and exposures
• Adapting DBT skills for sensory and executive functioning differences
• Supporting autonomy, safety, and regulation over normalization
0:55 – 1:00
Wrap-Up, Clinical Takeaways & Q&A
• Key practice shifts clinicians can implement immediately
• Final questions and discussion
• Resources and next steps

CE Information - Earn 1 CE Credit Hour

CE Approvals

Joint Accreditation
Joint Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems 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.
American Psychological Association
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work
CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.
New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors
CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology
CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.
New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy
CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

CE Process Info

Before the event, you will receive an email from CE-Go with access to the virtual event. After the event, you will receive access to your evaluation and continuing education certificate via a personalized "attendee dashboard" link, hosted on the CE-Go website. This link and access to the virtual event will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.

Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:

  • Complete evaluation forms for the event
  • Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ceactivities.com".

If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact your event organizer.

Please make sure to check your spam/junk folder in case those emails get "stuck". We'd also suggest "Allowlisting" support@ceactivities.com. This tells your email client that you know this sender and trust them, which will keep emails from this contact at the top of your inbox and out of the junk folder.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
CE Learning Systems 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 CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer:


PLANNERS AND REVIEWER
The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

FACULTY
The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.