Description:
OPD Points: 10
Autism affects about 1 in 59 individuals in Australia. Of those, about half also have an Intellectual Disability and about 70% have a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression in addition to Autism.This course is aimed at upskilling counsellors and mental health professionals in evidence-based practice in clinical assessment and mental health treatment for verbal children, adolescents and adults with Autism and/or mild intellectual disability. The course combines current research in clinical assessment and mental health treatment in autism, with real-life clinical and case examples. A range of reflection and interactive activities keep the learner interested and engaged. This course has been completed by over 600 mental health professionals (as at May 2021!) and is based on Dr Belinda Ratcliffe's highly successful (always sold-out!) 1-day face-to-face workshop, but has been specifically designed, professionally edited and adapted for online learning.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
Mental health clinicians will increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in autism and mental health assessment and treatment over 4 self-paced modules:Module 1: What is Autism? In this Module partipants will consolidate their understanding of autism, from the neurodiversity and lived experience perspective as well as DSM-5.Module 2: Autism and Mental Health. Participants will enhance their knowledge and understanding of the prevalence of mental ill-health health in autism, reflect on the significant gaps in service provision and consider prevention/early intervention for mental health in autism.Module 3: Clinical Assessment of Mental Health in Autism. Participants will learn Dr Belinda Ratcliffe's 'ground-breaking' model for mental health assessment in autism. Participants will learn a step-by-step process for mental health assessment in this population and obtain skills to apply immediately to their own clinical practice.Module 4: Mental Health Treatment in Autism. In this Module, participants will learn about how to adapt evidence-based mental health treatment in autism and learn Dr Belinda Ratcliffe's 'revolutionary' technique to adapt mental health treatment, in any clinical setting.BONUS: Pre-recorded Live 1-hr Q&A with Dr Belinda RatcliffeCertificate of participation on completion.8 hours of CPD when you complete all the quizzes, activities and reflections + the 1 hour live Q&A
Presenter / Provider:
Dr Belinda Ratcliffe
Presenter Qualifications:
Dr. Belinda Ratcliffe, lead author of the award-winning Westmead Feelings Program 1 for Autistic Children and Mild Intellectual Disability is a highly qualified Principal Clinical Psychologist and Researcher with a PhD in Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. Belinda has received multiple prizes in recognition of her work.Dr. Ratcliffe has over 20 years of Clinical, Research and Teaching experience and has previously been a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University from 2017-2020. She is currently CEO and Director of Training & Clinical Services at 'The Emotions Clinic Australia', dedicated to making a lasting impact in Autism, Intellectual Disability and Mental Health.Dr Ratcliffe provides training, clinical supervision and consultancy to a range of Health, Disability and Education Government, Non-government and Private agencies across Australia, including the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Mater Hospital in Brisbane and NSW Department of Education and Communities.
