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Understanding autism in girls and young women - Webinar

Understanding autism in girls and young women - Webinar

Overview

Level: Enhanced

Impact Assessments:

Neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, in girls and women are less well recognised or recognised at an older age. Unmet needs or missed diagnosis can lead to persistent problems in adult life (Scottish Government, Children and young people – national neurodevelopmental specification: principles and standards of care, 2021). It is recognised that girls and women often mask autistic traits, and this can have a profound impact in terms of their mental health and wellbeing. This 1.5 hour webinar aims to raise awareness and understanding in clinicians of the importance of early detection and correct diagnosis for girls and women to allow them to access appropriate supports.

*For ease and clarity of writing we use the terms female / girl / women, we are referring to those assigned female at birth, but we acknowledge that not all people will identify with this language.

Content of the webinar: This is a recording of the 1.5 hour webinar delivered on 21st February 2024 (and recorded in April 2024) which will provide participants with information about:

  • Missed / misdiagnosed Autism in girls and young women and prevalence rates
  • Co-occurring mental health difficulties
  • How Autistic girls present
  • Why it is important to recognise and support Autistic girls and women
  • Masking and its consequences for mental health and wellbeing 
  • Risk and vulnerability 
  • Authenticity and understanding 

The webinar is delivered via Powerpoint with a question and answer section at the end.

Is there a cost for this learning resource? :

No

Has this resource been accredited or endorsed by any organisation? :

NHS Education for Scotland (NES)

 

Training model:

The webinar is designed for all clinicians working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), specialist neurodevelopmental services or clinicians working with girls and young women.  The recording contains clinical information at the enhanced level and access to the videos is restricted to an appropriate audience.

Staff capacity and time commitment:

The webinar is 1.5 hours long.  It requires completion of a short application form and approval, prior to accessing the recording.  There is a short evaluation which should be completed at the end of the webinar.

Author/developer:

Dr Ann Ozsivadjian, Clinical Psychologist has worked for several years in a specialist complex neurodevelopmental disorders team. Her research interests and clinical specialism are mental health problems in autism and adapting interventions for autistic young people.

Contact for Further Development

The resource is hosted on Turas Learn - Understanding autism in girls and young women webinar

Link to resource


Quality dimensions

Usability

The webinar will provide participants with information about:

  • Missed / misdiagnosed Autism in girls and young women and prevalence rates
  • Co-occurring mental health difficulties
  • How Autistic girls present
  • Why it is important to recognise and support Autistic girls and women
  • Masking and its consequences for mental health and wellbeing
  • Risk and vulnerability 
  • Authenticity and understanding

It is a webinar that is delivered via Powerpoint presentation with helpful links and resources provided to enhance clinical practice.

Supports

Supports - Workforce

Ring-fenced time to watch the webinar and to complete the evaluation and then to reflect on any changes required to practice / service delivery.

Supports - Technology

Internet connection and device, such as a laptop.

Supports - Administrative

None

Supports - Financial

None

Evidence base

This webinar is based on theory, peer reviewed research and evidence based practice referenced throughout the presentation.


Impact assessments

Reaction

The webinar was viewed live by 476 practitioner and was evaluated when it was delivered live and rated very highly.

Learning

Reflective Practice and follow-up reading and discussion is recommended to consolidate knowledge and consider any changes to practice as a result of viewing this webinar.   

Behaviour

This is an awareness raising product, however, the Training Evaluation Toolkit could be used to help identify and measure targeted changes to staff practice.

Results

Services could use the Training Evaluation Toolkit to think about how to measure changes in girls and young women’s mental health and wellbeing as a result of changes to staff practices.


KSF dimension information in relation to the learning resource

Child Development and Attachment

Mental Health in Children, Young People and their Families

Engagement, Containment and Communication

Identification and Understanding of Need

Supports and Interventions

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