Forensic Evaluation of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Live online training

May 22, 2024, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Eastern

This one-day, live online training brings together experts on autism spectrum disorder, the lived experience of individuals with autism in the criminal legal system, forensic evaluation of individuals with autism, and risk assessment of individuals with autism. This program begins with a leading academic expert in autism spectrum disorder presenting on the clinical dimensions of autism, with a focus on recent advances in theory and research on legal contexts (Dr. Matthew Lerner). Next, a national trainer of judges, attorneys, police, correctional officers, and other legal personnel presents recommendations for accommodating individuals with autism within the criminal legal system, including potential supports in community and carceral settings (Kate Hooven). In the afternoon, two expert forensic psychologists discuss best practices for forensic evaluation of adolescents and adults with autism in a variety of contexts (Dr. Kaisa Marshall), with a special focus on evaluating risk of violence and sexual offending among this population (Dr. Sara Boyd). 

Please click here (PDF) for a detailed program schedule.

This intermediate program is well-suited for forensic evaluators, forensic treatment providers, correctional staff, attorneys, and others who interact with individuals with autism spectrum disorders within the criminal legal system. 

Learning Objectives

Matthew Lerner, PhD: “Autism Spectrum Disorder & the Criminal Legal System”

1. Identify the features of autism spectrum disorders that can lead individuals into unintentional interactions with the legal system. 

2. Report current statistics regarding legal involvement and risk thereof for people with autism. 

3. Consider specific tools and approaches that people with autism, their family members and friends, as well as members of the law enforcement community, can take to reduce the risk of dangerous outcomes when people with autism encounter the legal system. 

Kate Hooven, MS: “Accommodating & Supporting Individuals with Autism in Legal & Carceral Settings”

1. Describe recommended practices for interacting with individuals with autism in legal and carceral settings

2. Describe supports and programming options for individuals with autism in community and carceral settings

Kaisa Marshall, PhD: “Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles and Adults with Autism”

1. Explain how clinical symptoms and presentation of autism spectrum disorder can impact forensic evaluations (competency to stand trial, sanity, mitigation/sentencing).

2. Apply an evidence-based evaluation approach and decision-making when conducting forensic evaluations where autism symptoms are relevant.

Sara Boyd, PhD: “Assessing Risk for Violence and Sexual Offending Among Juveniles and Adults with Autism”

• Identify the features of autism that may be relevant to violence risk assessment.

• Describe developmental autism-related considerations for violence risk assessment in children, adolescents, and young adults.

• Acquire basic knowledge of three psychological assessment options for incorporating into evaluation of risk of sexual and non-sexual violence in individuals with autism. 

• Describe the limitations of existing research and evaluation strategies related to developmental disabilities and violent behavior. 

The Instructors

Matthew Lerner, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Drexel University’s AJ Drexel Autism Institute. There, he is a leader of the Life Course Outcomes Research Program and director of the Social Connections and Treatment Lab. A national expert on social-emotional disorders, Dr. Lerner’s research seeks to understand the nature of peer relations and social competency deficits that emerge in childhood and adolescence, particularly among children with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

Kate Hooven, MS, is the Justice System Project Coordinator for ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) where she uses her background as a former juvenile probation officer to train justice system personnel. Kate is also the mother of three amazing children, including her 22-year-old son Ryan, who was diagnosed with autism when he was four years of age. Ryan graciously allows Kate to share his experiences as an autistic individual to personalize the ASERT justice trainings, as well as to raise awareness and promote acceptance for all autistic individuals.

Kaisa Marshall, PhD, earned her PhD in clinical psychology with a forensic emphasis from Sam Houston State University in 2021. She completed her predoctoral internship with the Arkansas State Hospital, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with a New Mexico-based private practice. Dr. Marshall recently joined the University of New Mexico as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with a focus on developing the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences. She is devoted to educating others about best practices for assessing developmental psychopathology and conducting juvenile forensic evaluations, with the goal of enhancing resources for these services in New Mexico and more broadly.

Sara Boyd, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified forensic psychologist, and associate faculty at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry, & Public Policy at the University of Virginia. One of her primary specialties is intellectual and developmental disabilities. She conducts civil and criminal forensic evaluations of children, adolescents, and adults, including Atkins and Special Education due process evaluators for individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Neither the instructors nor the program planning committee (Daniel Murrie, Ph.D., Lucy Guarnera, Ph.D., & Angela Torres, Ph.D.) have any conflicts of interest or commercial support to disclose.

Continuing Education

Participants can expect to receive up to 5.5 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). ILPPP is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ILPPP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer continuing education for psychiatrists, attorneys, or social workers at this time. Please contact us with any questions.

How to Register

Scroll to the top of the page to register via the Eventbrite checkout. You will receive detailed attendance instructions upon registering.

Training Fees

• $250: Standard registration

• $100: Employees of Virginia DBHDS or a Community Services Board (CSB)

Please note that the reduced rate is available only for DBHDS and CSB employees, rather than all state employees, because DBHDS partially sponsors this training program.

Occasionally large facilities or state agencies outside Virginia want to send a team of trainees, for whom we can arrange a discounted group rate. Please contact us to discuss such arrangements.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration up to 7 days before the event starts. Your confirmation email will have information on how to cancel. All refunds will be assessed Eventbrite’s service fee. This fee is 6.6% of the registration price + $1.79. This fee will be assessed regardless of when the cancellation occurs in relation to the date of the training.

Please allow 30 days to receive a refund. Refunds will be processed according to the original payment method.