Autism, Trauma, and Mental Health Care (3 CEs)
Autistic people not only experience trauma at a higher rate than non-autistics, but are more likely to develop trauma symptoms in response to those events. Additionally, many autistics have experienced trauma at the hands of a mental health system that seeks to "fix" them rather than supporting their needs. Truly neurodiversity-affirming care must also be trauma-informed in order to mitigate the risk for re-traumatization or perpetuating cycles of trauma caused by the system.
This advanced course takes your knowledge of autistic trauma to the next level, exploring what autistic trauma responses look like, how autistic experiences of traumatic events differ from neurotypical experiences, and the role of the mental health system in perpetuating autistic trauma. You will leave this course with the skills needed to make your practice trauma-informed and support your autistic clients through mental health treatment that meets their needs and treats their trauma in affirming ways.
Content Note: This course discusses trauma. Discussions of trauma can be highly emotional or triggering, especially for those with their own trauma history. This course is self-paced, and you are encouraged to take breaks as needed for self-care and self-regulation.