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 the empirically-based literature associated with ASD, compliance, and suggestibility

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its impact in both clinical and forensic contexts. Participants will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, assess, and accommodate the unique challenges faced by individuals with ASD, with a focus on practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse populations across various professional environments.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic & Clinical psychologists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Social workers
    • Counselors
    • Legal professionals (attorneys, judges, legal advocates)
    • Law enforcement officers
    • Correctional staff
    • Health care providers
    • Educators
    • School-based mental health professionals
    • Social service staff
    • Community program staff
    • Mental health professionals

  • Experience Level

    This CE training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), compliance, and suggestibility in clinical and forensic settings.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to the intersection of ASD and the criminal justice system, seeking foundational knowledge of ASD symptoms, causes, and the concepts of compliance and suggestibility.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience working with individuals with ASD and are looking to deepen their understanding of ASD’s impact on legal processes, improve identification in forensic settings, and apply empirically-based strategies to minimize compliance and suggestibility risks.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience in forensic or clinical settings with ASD populations and seek to refine advanced skills, critically evaluate current literature, and implement best practices to prevent false confessions and wrongful convictions.

  • Practice Setting

    Mental health professionals who participate in this training typically work in environments where they interact with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across clinical, forensic, educational, legal, and community settings. Their work often involves assessment, intervention, advocacy, and support for neurodiverse individuals, particularly in situations where communication and behavioral challenges may impact outcomes in legal or clinical contexts.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Outpatient mental health clinics
    • Inpatient psychiatric hospitals
    • Correctional institutions and juvenile detention centers
    • Police departments and law enforcement agencies
    • Courtrooms and legal offices
    • School counseling and special education departments
    • Community mental health centers
    • Social service agencies
    • Forensic assessment centers
    • Advocacy organizations for neurodiverse populations
Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. 

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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.