Navigating the Frontiers of Autism

These 'gray areas' require exploration and further research to improve our capacity to provide tailored and optimal clinical care to patients. Clinicians must therefore keep up to date on this widely variable disorder and the latest innovative strategies to treat it. 

New frontiers in our understanding of autism include: differences in how autism presents in girls; missed or inappropriate diagnosis in less obvious cases; the relationship between autism and gender identity; the overlap of autism and ADHD; and medication management that effectively addresses associated symptoms. Irritability is also a common problem in autism that is poorly defined and requires a multi-modal approach to care. Finally, there is a need to increase awareness of the double burden of patients with autism and racial, ethnic, linguistic, or social disadvantage who suffer delays in assessment and treatment. 

This course aims to help clinicians better identify and treat these challenging aspects of autism. The day will culminate in a lived experience panel with several individuals and family members sharing their unique and impactful stories. All clinicians treating children, adolescents, or adults with autism are welcome!