AUTISM AND DEPRESSION – Module 6

Welcome to the NCAMH course on Autism and Depression

• This two-day online training course introduces you to a “model for understanding & supporting autistic people who experience depression” 
• You will acquire the knowledge, skills and tools to spot the early signs of depression amongst autistic people and provide the right support

There are seven lessons in this module including lessons on; understanding depression; autism and depression; depression across the life course; co-occurring sleep disturbances and depression; risks associated with post-natal depression amongst autistic people; autism, substance misuse and depression; and current research into screening and treatment approaches.  

We introduce you to tools, resources, strategies and good practice tips across this module and particularly in Lesson 7 where we share with you four resource packs including:  Self-Care Activities Pack, Thinking Styles Resource Pack, Strengths, Skills and Abilities Worksheets and the Compassionate Self-Talk Resource Pack.  In lesson 6 we also share the Autism and Depression spotting the signs tool and the Energy Accounting Tool.  You can use these resources with your clients to increase self-awareness alongside introducing strategies for safety planning, self-advocacy,  self-soothing/calming and self-agency.

We are joined in this module by Laura Hull, Chartered Psychologist and lead autism researcher at Bristol University. Laura’s work focuses on understanding autism and mental health across the life course and what approaches and supports may be most helpful.

We are also joined by Moyna Talcer, Consultant Occupational Therapist who shares with us her research into the sensory experiences of autistic birth people and impacts of lack of support and adjustments on mental health during the peri-natal period.

In Lessons 3 and 7 we are joined by Jim, an autistic man who talks to us about his experience of substance misuse as a means of coping when undiagnosed and how post diagnosis he went on to utilise his skills in work spaces and environments that were more suited to his own needs (drawing on his awareness of his strengths, skills and abilities).

There are seven lessons in Module 6 with a mixture of tutor-led sessions, podcasts, additional video clips, articles, worksheets/exercises, review of resources and completion of reflective practice worksheets.

You will be able to access the course handouts, workbooks and reflective practice worksheets from the welcome and introduction page.  You can access any worksheets, tools and resources from within the Lesson on the learning management platform.

I wish you well with the course.

Warmest wishes,

Jenny Phaure

Clinical Director

MA (Child and Ad Psych, UKCP), MSc

National Centre for Autism and Mental Health

www.ncamh.co.uk

Phone: 07545 190915