Professional Development

Autism Pathways: Challenges and Solutions for Identifying ASD in Girls

Training Description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. While early diagnosis improves outcomes, many individuals, especially females are often misdiagnosed or overlooked due to the condition’s complexity. Despite progress in services, gaps remain in equitable, timely screening and assessment. This session will examine ASD identification pathways in both clinical and educational settings, offering practical solutions for families, practitioners, and the general public.

Training Objectives

• Explore ASD identification pathways, including the female phenotype and diagnostic considerations
• Learn best practices for comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations using standardized tools
• Discover resources to help integrate data and inform effective interventions

Target Audience

Parents and Caregivers, Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Providers, School, District, and Program Administrators

About the Presenter

Dr. Donna Berghauser (she/her) is a Licensed and Nationally Certified School Psychologist with over 20 years of experience across school, community, and private settings. She holds a Doctor of Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, where she also serves as an Adjunct Professor. Currently an Assessment Consultant, she supports educational and healthcare systems through professional development to improve evaluation practices. A Past President of the Florida Association of School Psychologists, she continues to serve on its Executive Board, advocating for practitioners and the families they serve.

Contact

Amy Lane
Amy.lane@jax.ufl.edu
or (904) 633 4338