Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis, Intervention & Implications
Live Broadcast: Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 2:00PM CT/3:00PM ET
Understanding of autism spectrum disorder has evolved significantly over the past 15 years due to increased research, leading to clearer diagnostic criteria and an improved understanding of symptom presentation and functional impact.
This presentation examines autism spectrum disorder from both psychological and applied correctional perspectives. Diagnostic criteria will be reviewed and applied to real-world correctional settings, where individuals are treated within a whole-person care model. The session will explore symptom presentation, how symptoms may manifest in correctional environments, and strategies for clinical response.
Treatment interventions and necessary environmental and practice modifications will be discussed, with emphasis on collaboration among mental health, medical, and security staff within a multidisciplinary services team (MDST). Case reviews will be presented, followed by participant discussion to reinforce application to practice.
Learning Objectives
-Differentiate diagnostic criteria associated with autism spectrum disorders in correctional populations
-Analyze how incarceration impacts autism spectrum disorder symptoms and clinical presentation
-Select and implement appropriate clinical treatment approaches and MDST interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders
Presenter
Larisa Palmer, PsyD, CCHP is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of forensic experience, including 11 years working with incarcerated men and women in the state prison system. She has conducted assessments and provided mental health treatment to youthful offenders in the juvenile justice system and to incarcerated individuals in state prisons. She has also worked in school settings, specifically with individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and juvenile justice involvement, and has served as adjunct faculty at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Dr. Palmer currently serves as the mental health director at South Florida Reception Center in Doral, Florida, a men’s prison that evaluates individuals’ needs upon initial commitment to the prison system. She earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University and has maintained CCHP certification since 2012.
Webinar Fee:
$69 ($59 for CCHPs), includes access to the power point presentation, the webinar recording and CE credit – 1.00 hours for ACCME, ANCC, APA, and General (CCHP and others).
Continuing education credit (1.00 hour) available for:
Nurses: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care designates this learning experience as Outcome Level 1 & 2. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. NCCHC designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 contact hour. Nurses must attend the entire program to receive credit.
Physicians: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
NCCHC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NCCHC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This educational activity offers up to 1.00 hour of credit.
CCHPs: Certified Correctional Health Professionals may earn up to 1.00 contact hour of Category I continuing education for recertification.
Social Workers, counselors and others: When evaluating the presentation, select the “General” category, print your certificate, and use it to report directly to your certifying board.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the disclosure policy of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, everyone who is in a position to control the educational content of the Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis, Intervention & Implications webinar (including planners, speakers, and moderators) has been asked to disclose all relevant financial interests, all affiliations, or other financial relationships within 24 months (1) with the manufacturers of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any ineligible companies. Such disclosure is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but rather is elicited to provide information that attendees might deem important to their evaluation of an educational presentation. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to this activity. No individuals have disclosed a relevant financial relationship with any ineligible companies/commercial interests.
Financial Relationship Disclosures:
Faculty Disclosures
None of the presenters have any relevant relationships to disclose.
NCCHC Education Committee
The following committee members have no relevant financial relationships to disclose:
LaToya Duckworth, RN, BSN, MHA, CCHP-RN (Chair)
Keith W Ivens, MD, FACCP
Joel Andrade, PhD, LICSW, CCHP-MH
David Dawdy, MA, LLP, CCHP
Kenya Key, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Andrea Knittel, MD, PhD
Susan Laffan, RN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A
Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP
Jim Martin, MPSA, CCHP
Marci MacKenzie, PhD, LCSW, CCHP
Rebecca Rock, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Lori Roscoe, PhD, DNP, CCHP-RN
Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN-C, CCHP
Nancy White, LPC, MA
Elsie Judon, BSW, MS, CCHP
Tami Rodriguez, PharmD
The following member has disclosed the following financial relationship:
Alysse Wurcel, MD, Gilead Pharmaceuticals, Advisory Panel
Staff Liaisons: Ana Olivares, Toyin Alaka and Kim Sterling, MBA, CAE have no financial relationships to disclose.