UNC TEACCH Autism Program – Free Webinar – Supporting Autistic Patients Seeking Medical Care Overview
September 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Autism affects 1 in 31 children and approximately 1 in 45 adults. Given this prevalence, medical providers are bound to encounter autistic patients, and most often for care unrelated to autism. Autistic patients have higher rates of medical comorbidities than their neurotypical counterparts, yet consistently report difficulties accessing the care they need and effectively communicating with their care providers. Similarly, providers report limited confidence regarding how they may need to modify their care delivery for autistic patients. This webinar aims to support healthcare providers in learning how to better accommodate the needs of their autistic patients, thereby improving provider-patient communication, enhancing patient comfort during medical visits, and ultimately increasing the quality of care provided.
Target Audience:
It is specifically designed for healthcare providers who do not specialize in autism-related services, including general practitioners, pediatricians, specialists, nurses, CNAs, and medical office staff who wish to learn how to deliver accessible healthcare to patients with diverse learning and communication needs are encouraged to attend. No prior training in autism or experience with autistic patients is required, although practitioners with expertise in autism are also welcome.
Speaker:
Ashley Hester, PhD
Staff Psychologist, Raleigh TEACCH Center·UNC TEACCH Autism Program
Ashley Hester is a licensed psychologist and works with autistic individuals across the lifespan and their families. Ashley primarily performs diagnostic evaluations for autism with both children and adults. She also co-leads a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group for autistic adults. Ashley enjoys training students and other professionals and helping families understand the unique learning styles associated with autism. Ashley’s background is in working with teens with psychiatric comorbidities and dangerous behaviors, and she is particularly interested in how these issues may affect autism diagnosis and presentation. She is also passionate about making healthcare more accessible for autistic patients and applying principles of Universal Design to help all patients be more actively involved in their healthcare and ensure that their healthcare needs are met.