Autism: The New Spectrum of Diagnostics, Treatment & Nutrition

Autism: The New Spectrum of Diagnostics, Treatment & Nutrition is a 4-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that reviews diagnostic changes in autism as well as treatment options and nutrition interventions - both theoretical and applied.

The first section traces the history of the diagnostic concept of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), culminating in the revised criteria of the 2013 version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5, with specific focus on the shift from five subtypes to a single spectrum diagnosis. The course aims to provide epidemiological prevalence estimates, identify factors that may play a role in causing ASD, and list the components of a core assessment battery. Brief descriptions of some of the major intervention models, that have some empirical support, are included.

Section two describes common GI problems and feeding difficulties in autism, exploring the empirical data and/or lack thereof regarding links between GI disorders and autism. Sections on feeding difficulties offer interventions and behavior change techniques.

A final section on nutritional considerations discusses evaluation of nutritional status, supplementation, and dietary modifications with an objective look at the science and theory behind a variety of nutrition interventions. Other theoretical interventions are also reviewed.

Course #40-54 | 2021 | 70 pages | 25 posttest questions