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ForwardLowell Schools: December 3, 2025 - Autism
Autism
Bretton Mulder, PsyD
Date: December 3, 2025
12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Despite the rising prevalence of autism in school-aged populations, a significant gap persists between the complex cognitive, sensory, and executive function profiles of autistic students and educators’ and clinicians’ ability to accurately identify and support these needs. “Spiky” cognitive profiles, prediction-related processing differences, and sensory or EF challenges are often misinterpreted as behavioral problems rather than neurobiological differences requiring targeted intervention. High rates of co-occurring psychiatric conditions and sensory distress further complicate functioning, yet these issues are frequently under-recognized and addressed with inconsistent or non-affirming strategies in school settings. This practice gap leads to misinterpretation of behavior, ineffective accommodations, and increased stress for autistic students. The current training addresses this gap by strengthening professionals’ ability to differentiate autistic cognitive profiles understand behavior through a neurodiversity and prediction-focused lens, and apply evidence-informed supports such as visual tools, EF scaffolding, precise communication, and sensory-responsive practices.
Target Audience
This program is intended for psychologists, social workers, educators, and license mental health counselors.
Accreditation
Each monthly lecture is accredited for up to 1.0 CE.
1.0 Psychologists:
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 CE credit.
1.0 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 clock hours for continuing education credits.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training session, participants should be able to:
- Describe the neurodiversity framework and differentiate challenges, differences, and strengths using clinical examples drawn from autistic cognitive, social, and sensory profiles.
- Explain the theory of autism as a disorder of prediction and analyze how prediction errors contribute to sensory overload, social difficulties, and the need for routine.
- Compare the major autistic cognitive profiles (e.g., high verbal, concrete, spiky profiles) and assess how these profiles impact communication, learning, and behavior in school-based settings.
- Demonstrate the application of neurodiversity-affirming interventions—such as precision-based communication, visual supports, EF scaffolding, and routine-based predictability—to support autistic students across educational environments.
Lowell Public Schools & MGH Psychiatry Academy Training Series
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM EDT (Live Virtual via Zoom)
Program Agenda
December 3, 2025 Autism
12:00 1:00 PM EDT Bretton Mulder, PsyD
Director of Teen and Adult Programs, Massachusetts General Hospital/Aspire
Instructor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital
Available Credit
- 1.00 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.
- 1.00 Psychologists CE Credit
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.00 CE credit.