Untangling Autism and Trauma: Recognizing the Signs, Reducing Misdiagnosis, and Delivering Effective Support
- Speakers:
- Ruth Aspy, PhD | Barry Grossman, PhD
- Duration:
- 2 Hours 2 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
May 07, 2025
- Product Code:
- POS150216
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
Many autistic individuals have experienced significant trauma – abuse, bullying, rejection, and loss – that exacerbates their challenges. Yet, trauma is often overlooked in autism evaluations, leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses.
Join Drs. Aspy and Grosman, co-authors of The Ziggurat Model, as they provide a clear, trauma-informed framework to navigate the complexities of autism and PTSD. Learn how to:
- Effectively use self-report data to uncover trauma history and reduce reliance on observation
- Achieve accurate differential diagnosis
- Apply strategies to mitigate trauma’s effects
- Prevent retraumatization during the assessment process
Leave with practical tools to deliver accurate, trauma-informed evaluations – ensuring individuals receive the understanding, support, and services they deserve!
Credit
Handouts/Brochure
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual - Untangling Autism & Trauma (5 MB) | 62 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| ASHA Instructions - Self Study (111.9 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Speaker
Ruth Aspy, PhD Related seminars and products
Ruth Aspy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist specializing in transdisciplinary assessment and intervention for individuals on the spectrum. She is co-author of a comprehensive model of intervention, The Ziggurat Model, which earned the Literary Achievement Award from the Autism Society. Dr. Aspy has provided training and consultation throughout the United States and internationally. She serves on the Autism Society of America’s Panel of Professional Advisors. Her focus is on understanding the underlying characteristics of autistic individuals keeping their neurological/brain differences in mind. Dr. Aspy believes that kindness is at the heart of all good support strategies. She has an emphasis on working with females on the spectrum and with those individuals who have symptoms of catatonia.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Ruth Aspy has employment relationships with the Ziggurat Group and the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Aspy receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Ruth Aspy is a member of the Autism Society of America Panel of Professional Advisors.
Barry Grossman, PhD Related seminars and products
Barry G. Grossman, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and author in private practice. He specializes in counseling and assessing individuals on the spectrum and has an emphasis on working with females on the spectrum. Dr. Grossman presents internationally and has provided state-wide training and consultation to improve autism assessment and intervention in the public schools. He has authored books, textbook chapters, and journal articles. Dr. Grossman, along with his co-author, Dr. Aspy, wrote The Ziggurat Model - a book on designing interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum. The Ziggurat Model, which earned the Literacy Achievement Award from the Autism Society, is being used successfully throughout the United States and internationally in countries including Japan, Greece, Canada, and Mexico. Dr. Grossman serves on the Autism Society’s Panel of Professional Advisors.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Barry Grossman is the co-owner of the Ziggurat Group. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Grossman receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Barry Grossman is a member of the American Psychological Association and the EMDR International Association. He serves on the Autism Society of America Panel of Professional Advisors.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.
Questions?
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Objectives
- Assess for a history of significant stressors and traumatic events to enhance traditional autism evaluation
- Use self-report data to differentiate and uncover history of trauma
- Revise traditional assessment approaches to overcome over-reliance on observation data
- Differentiate between autism and PTSD
- Use the levels of the Ziggurat Model to address effects of trauma
- Modify the assessment process to prevent further traumatization
Outline
Common Causes of Trauma in Autism: Brief Overview- Social-communication differences
- Sensory differences
- Emotion regulation differences
- Compliance
- Medical and mental health services
- Prevalence rates
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Eating disorders
- Examiner Skills and Experience
- Understanding of Autism
- Spectrum
- Gender differences
- Complicating factors (e.g., masking)
- Understanding of trauma and PTSD
- Interpretation and clinical judgment
- Differential diagnosis
- Understanding of Autism
- Evaluation Tools
- Limitations
- Observations
- Norm group
- Cut-off scores
- Literal interpretation of items
- Limitations
- Observation
- Formal instruments
- Observation-based tools
- Checklists and questionnaires
- Informal tools
- Self-reports
- Facilitates assessment of autism and associated factors including trauma
- Limit stress of assessment process
- Address trauma in treatment
- Risks and limitations of research and techniques
Target Audience
- Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Physicians
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Teachers/School-Based Personnel
- School Administrators
- Physical Therapists
Reviews
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