Late-Diagnosed ADHD and Autism: Supporting Adults Through A Period Of Discovery
On-Demand Webinar
Webinar Description:
Join this webinar to learn about supporting late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic adults through the health and well-being challenges they commonly encounter. Understand the critical role occupational therapy can play in guiding clients as they come to a greater understanding of themselves, their needs, and their strengths. Explore the impact of lifestyle considerations and activity adaptations on occupational engagement, the benefits of interprofessional care, and the evidence-based intervention approaches you can bring into your sessions today. Consider how the insights from case studies from the interprofessional team at Spectrum Psych Los Angeles could apply to your practice.
Learning Objectives:
Following the webinar attendance, participants will be able to:
- Recall health and wellbeing concerns that can arise for late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic adults.
- Explain the role of occupational therapy in addressing factors impacting occupational performance of the late-diagnosed neurodivergent population.
- Identify occupational therapy interventions that can be used to address common late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic adults function and health concerns.
Speaker: Samantha Valasek, OTD, OTR/L, CTTS, ADHD-RSP
Dr. Samantha Valasek is a licensed occupational therapist with a specialization in addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals, including those who are autistic or have ADHD, OCD or other neurodevelopmental differences. Dr. Valasek works with adults and adolescents to improve their daily living and ability to pursue milestone achievements through a holistic, collaborative, goal-oriented approach. Her areas of clinical expertise include assessment of functional cognition, sensory processing, executive function skills training, environmental modifications, compensatory strategies, habit and routine formation, and accommodations in the school and workplace. Her work is focused on supporting clients who experience executive function (thinking), sensory processing and emotional regulation (feeling), and behavioral (doing) challenges to live more full and meaningful lives. She guides her clients in developing the practical skills, strategies, and adjustments that support sustainable participation in real-life contexts. She loves working collaboratively with the other clinicians at Spectrum Psych Los Angeles to target their clients’ goals together in a holistic way.
Dr. Valasek started her career and developed her expertise as a clinical faculty member at the University of Southern California. While there, she had the pleasure of working with university students, faculty, staff, and community members to create health-promoting habits and routines. Her services addressed a range of chronic conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia, obesity, diabetes, migraines, and chronic pain. In addition to her direct clinical work, she taught graduate-level occupational therapy courses; developed programming around ADHD, self-regulation, medical student wellness, and tobacco/alcohol cessation; and was involved in multiple inter-professional clinics.
Financial Disclosure: Presenters receive financial compensation as employees of USC Chan. Non-Financial Disclosure: There are no non-financial relationships to the content of this course.
Cancellation Policy: Upon purchase, access to this webinar is immediate, therefore, no refunds will be issued.
Audience: This is an introductory level activity designed for OT practitioners, however, all levels of experience are welcome as are all areas of practice.
Prerequisites: None
Webinar Requirements: Participants must complete and submit the webinar learning activity and evaluation.
Special Needs Requests: If you require ADA accommodations, please email details of request(s) to [email protected] at least five business days prior to the webinar purchase date so that arrangements can be made. Note: this on-demand webinar does not include closed captions/subtitles.
CEU Credit: This webinar is 1 contact hour. Participants must complete the webinar learning activity and evaluation in order to receive a certificate of attendance. The webinar learning activity and evaluation are to be completed within 30 days of webinar purchase in order to receive CEU credit. Certificates will be available within 2 - 3 weeks after the webinar date.
USC Chan is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID #10081. This distance learning - independent activity is offered at 0.1 CEUs, Introductory, OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
