• 5 hours 18 mins
  • 30 days to complete course
  • Downloadable PDFs
  • Certificate of completion
  • Suitable for professionals

Course summary

Participants will be trained in how to administer the Exploring Depression and Beating the Blues programme, which is a ten-stage programme to treat depression in autistic adolescents and adults. The programme was designed and evaluated by Tony and Michelle. Exploring Depression is based on current research, mindfulness, cognitive and behavioural principles, and a deep understanding of autistic individuals and how they learn and change. Exploring Depression can be delivered as an individual or group therapy programme, or can be utilized as a self-help guide at home, with the assistance of a carer or family member. Whilst this course was designed to train clinicians, it would be beneficial for carers, family members and people with autism to attend. Participants are trained in each of the therapeutic activities that comprise the ten stage programme. Issues that can impede therapy are discussed, and recommended strategies to overcome these barriers are presented.

Who will benefit?

For clinicians: To be able to successfully deliver the Exploring Depression programme with an autistic adolescent or adult, in an individual and group format.

For autistic individuals and their carers: To deepen understanding of the specific strategies within the Exploring Depression programme and how to apply these in the autistic person’s life successfully.

Learning objectives

  • Knowledge of the latest research on autism and depression including studies on the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in autistic individuals, treatments including pharmacotherapy, and assessment tools.
  • How to recognize and assess both the conventional signs of depression and the signs of depression specific to autistic adolescents and adults.
  • Increased awareness of aspects of autism that will affect the planning and delivery of therapy such as alexithymia, empathic attunement, camouflaging and concept of self.
  • Understands the reasons an autistic person may develop depression.
  • Knowledge of available resources to facilitate emotion education, communication, and self-regulation relevant to depression, and how to source them.

What our participants say