Skip to main content

Overview

In this module, we hope to educate caregivers and school personnel on psychiatric/behavioral conditions experienced by children with ASD, how medication may be used to help alleviate these symptoms, and how to best collaborate with medical professionals. It is important for teachers and family members of children with ASD to be knowledgeable about potential medications as well as their benefits and side effects. Collaborating effectively with healthcare providers is key to providing the best care to children with ASD.

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 1/2 hours

  • What's Included
  • 23 pages
  • Pre/post-assessments
  • Optional $15 certficate
  1. Identify the reasons why a healthcare provider may decide to give medication to a child with ASD
  2. Identify medications that are commonly used to treat different types of behavioral and medical symptoms and their side effects
  3. Describe the research on using medications to treat symptoms of autism
  4. Tell how to maximize communication and collaboration with medical providers

Module Authors

Neelkamal Soares, M.D.

Neelkamal Soares, MD is a board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, and Professor of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He has held leadership positions in professional organizations and has delivered scientific and invited presentations nationally and internationally.  Clinically, he provides diagnostic and management services for children with a variety of developmental and behavioral conditions. His research focus is on medical education, children with ASD and telehealth.    

Zakia Alavi, M.D

Zakia Alavi, M.D is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Alavi is an associate professor of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Alavi has been practicing child psychiatry for 25 years. She has written and published manuscripts about children and polypharmacy, complicated ADHD and more recently about COVID 19 and its mitigation in community mental health settings.

Modules on this site are always free. If you would like proof of completion, you can purchase a certificate when you have successfully completed this module. The certificate will provide contact hours for this module.

Graduate credit for courses is available through OCALI's partnership with Ashland University. Access information about course options and semester dates in the Search.

Continuing education credit from providers such as ASHA and NASW is in progress. For questions contact ceu_info@ocali.org.

Glossary Start Access and
Translation Tools