1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Suggestibility, Compliance, and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Clinical and Forensic Settings is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder distinguished by communication deficits (i.e., language and non-verbal) and behavioral irregularities (e.g., repetitive actions). The presentation of these symptoms can vary widely in presence and severity, which contributes to a great deal of heterogeneity within this diagnostic spectrum. For instance, social abilities and performance on intelligence measures differ substantially across individuals with ASD. Regardless of the ultimate manifestation of ASD, individuals with this disorder, relative to the general population, are at an increased risk for worse outcomes in a variety of settings (e.g., education, work, and home). In particular, individuals with ASD who become involved in the criminal justice system are likely to experience a host of challenges and difficulties. Complicating matters, the communication and behavioral symptoms of ASD make it difficult to adequately participate in the different stages of the criminal justice system (i.e., arrest, interrogation, trial, and corrections). Of serious concern are settings where individuals with ASD are interrogated by police officers or cross-examined by lawyers. Here, the combination of ASD symptoms with the strenuous demands of the context (e.g., high stress and confusion) can deleteriously interact to result in compliance or even suggestibility. Compliance can be defined as the degree to which a person will acquiesce to the requests or demands of another individual. In contrast, suggestibility is the predisposition to uncritically believe and incorporate false information from external sources into one’s memory of an event. The risk of compliance or suggestibility among individuals with ASD is only exacerbated by leading and repeated questions, negative feedback, and misinformation, all of which are commonplace during interrogations and cross-examinations. In instances of either compliance or suggestibility, there is a risk of false confessions and wrongful convictions. To prevent these deleterious outcomes, criminal justice and forensic mental health interviewers need a strong understanding of ASD and how to adequately account for this disorder during criminal justice and legal interactions.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the causes and symptoms of ASD
  • 2 Describe ways to improve the identification of ASD in criminal justice and forensic mental health settings
  • 3 Describe the role of ASD in compliance and suggestibility
  • 4 Describe skills that minimize the risk of compliance and suggestibility
  • 5 Describe

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, PhD, is the Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., the lead developer of an online Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST) and the Journal of Special Populations (JSP).

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Jerrod Brown, PhD

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for clinicians and legal professionals who seek to deepen their understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its impact in both clinical and forensic settings. The program equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize, assess, and accommodate the unique challenges faced by individuals with ASD, particularly in legal, mental health, and community contexts. Attendees will gain practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse populations across various professional environments.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Forensic psychologists and clinical psychologists
    • Psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors
    • Legal professionals (attorneys, judges, legal advocates)
    • Law enforcement officers and correctional staff
    • Health care providers working with neurodiverse populations
    • Educators and school-based mental health professionals
    • Social service and community program staff

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Understanding of ASD

  • Understanding of suggestibility

  • AI for Clinical Efficiency

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.