Adolescence is a time when youths encounter new challenges in personal identity and interpersonal relationships. Autism spectrum disorders impact an individual’s ability to engage with his or her peers and the environment around them. The additional challenges presented to those with ASD make these transitions even more difficult, leading to increased comorbid mood disorders such as depression. Recognizing and addressing mental health disorders in autistic adolescents is challenging and research is limited, but understanding the connections between ASD and depression can allow us to minimize depressive symptoms.
Join an interactive discussion centered around developing our understanding of autism spectrum disorders and how the symptoms overlap with those of depressive disorder and other mood disorders. Together, we will address difficulties that arise at each stage of a child’s development and discuss ways to make life’s greatest transitions easier.
Alice Frawley is a native to Warwick, and has spent the past 5 years studying to become a certified Physician Assistant. She is deeply committed to her community, and believes that our children belong at the forefront. She is particularly passionate about advocating for the mental health and well-being of adolescents. By working with parents and teachers, Alice hopes to cultivate healthy and valuable relationships between children and their environments. Alice completed her Bachelor of Health Science and is currently a Master of Physician Assistant Science candidate at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania with an anticipated graduation in May 2022.