Supporting Adults on the Spectrum

Earn 1 hour of continuing education by joining OT Potential after taking this course.

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Here’s the dilemma:

The number of adults diagnosed with autism is rising. Yet, we currently have very few evidence-based interventions to offer this population.

We seem to be falling short of truly supporting autistic adults. We need to do better, not just by addressing their challenges, but also by bolstering their unique strengths.

This 1-hour episode is going to push you to think big-picture about the unmet needs of autistic adults—and, hopefully, it will help you address both the challenges and strengths that can be part of being neurodivergent in a world that is built for neurotypicals. Our goal is to support you as an OT, so you can help autistic adults live a life they love.

The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research exploring the priorities of autistic adults. Then, Meg Proctor, an occupational therapist with expertise in working with patients on the spectrum, will join us to discuss practical takeaways.

Primary Research Explored

When you log in, be sure to check out the OT Potential Club’s written breakdown of the following research article, then share your questions and thoughts with fellow practitioners.

• Characterizing the daily life, needs, and priorities of adults with autism spectrum disorder from Interactive Autism Network data

Learning Objectives

1. You will be able to identify unique challenges that autistic adults may face, and should inform your practice.
2. You will be able to recall unique strengths of autistic adults, many of which can be leveraged in your treatments.
3. You will be able to describe how understanding the strengths and challenges of autistic adults should impact your work with children on the spectrum.

Agenda

Intro (5 minutes)

Breakdown of research analysis of (10 minutes)

• The rising number of adults diagnosed with autism, and lack of related research
• The problem with how “outcomes” have historically been categorized
• What was the research question being studied in this paper?
• Who was included in this study?
• What were the results?
• What did the authors conclude/discuss?
• Takeaways for OT practitioners

Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with guest Meg Proctor) (45 minutes)

• Recommendations on language: “autistic,” “low/high functioning”

• Supports currently available to autistic adults specifically noting those in which OTs are involved
• What supports are lacking? 
• What are some opportunities for OTs to better serve this population?
• How do we need to change as OTs—and as a society—to better serve this population?
• What recommendations would you give to OTs who are seeing autistic adults in their standard practice?
• How should understanding the challenges/strengths of autistic adults impact our pediatric practice?

Target Audience/Educational Level

Occupational therapy practitioners who work with patients who work with autistic patients. The educational level is introductory.

Financial and Non-financial Disclosures

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

We here at OT Potential have no financial stake in this topic. Our guest, Meg Proctor, has no financial interest in this topic to disclose.

Speakers

Meg Proctor, MS, OTR/L

Meg Proctor is the founder of Learn Play Thrive, LLC, where she teaches therapists to use a deep understanding of autism learning styles to guide their work. She is a former faculty member of UNC’s TEACCH® Autism Program and an AOTA-approved course provider.

Through her live and recorded online trainings, Meg teaches concrete ways that therapists can use a strengths-based approach to their work with kids on the autism spectrum. Meg also hosts the podcast Two Sides of the Spectrum, designed to help OTs better take the perspective of our neurodivergent clients. To dive into Meg’s work, start with the free masterclass: learnplaythrive.com/masterclass. Read full bio.

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L

Sarah’s passion is helping fellow OT practitioners translate evidence into daily practice. Sarah earned her BA in religion from St. Olaf College, then earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University in 2011.

Since then, she’s worked in numerous facilities, including a critical access hospital, an acute trauma hospital, and a state inpatient psychiatric hospital. Sarah is the founder/owner of OT Potential. Read more about OT Potential here.

This course was designed to meet your continuing education requirements

We designed the courses in the Club to meet the requirements for “online” and “independent/self-study” courses. To verify the requirements from your specific state (within the US), check out our post, OT Continuing Education Requirements. If you are outside of the United States and have questions, please contact us.

We are proud to be an AOTA Approved Provider and to meet the requirements for your NBCOT renewal.

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