3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on That Which We Do Not Know: Autism and Threat is presented by Stephanie Leite, PhD.

What are we scared of? We are scared of the unknown, of things that are different, of things we do not understand. So autistic people are often the focus of threat assessment investigations. To the neurotypical eye, autistic behavior can be unsettling, and unsettling behavior can seem dangerous. Dr. Leite is a psychologist who specializes in threat assessment and management. She has had a disproportionate number of referrals that include individuals who are socially different than others, who have been diagnosed with autism, and who make others uneasy. 

Diving into the topic, Dr. Leite covers general information on ASD and crime, carefully explains the difference between ASD and psychopathic behavior, and uses research to identify factors that create greater and less risk in the population. Participants review the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission’s report, applying new knowledge to the report. The program concludes with a tabletop exercise utilizing breakout rooms for an interactive and boisterous finale.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the difference between autism and psychopathic behavior
  • 2 Describe the warning signs of increased risk of violence in an ASD population
  • 3 Describe the established questions and rubrics for determining the level of risk
  • 4 Describe a threat assessment model to explain the risk of violence

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals who seek to understand the unique considerations of threat assessment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is designed for those involved in evaluating risk, managing threats, and distinguishing between behaviors associated with autism and those that may indicate genuine danger.

    The course emphasizes evidence-based evaluation, risk management, and best practices for working with or assessing people with ASD, particularly in contexts where accurate behavioral differentiation is critical.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Social Workers
    • Counselors
    • Forensic Evaluators
    • Behavioral Health Specialists
    • Risk Assessment Consultants

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with threat assessment and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

    • Beginner: Participants new to threat assessment or with limited experience working with autistic individuals will gain foundational knowledge about ASD, threat assessment concepts, and distinguishing autism from psychopathic behavior.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in threat assessment or working with neurodiverse populations will deepen their understanding of risk factors, warning signs, and the application of established assessment rubrics in ASD-related cases.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply these skills in clinical, educational, forensic, and organizational environments where safety, risk triage, and behavioral differentiation are central. Work is often multidisciplinary and time-sensitive, requiring structured evaluation, documentation, and coordinated threat management while discerning autism-related traits from genuine warning behaviors.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • K–12 schools and district threat assessment teams
    • Colleges/university CARE and campus threat assessment teams
    • Community mental health clinics and outpatient programs
    • Hospital emergency departments and psychiatric units
    • Forensic hospitals and court-affiliated evaluation clinics
    • Probation, parole, and juvenile justice programs
    • Law enforcement behavioral health/crisis intervention units
    • Corporate/workplace violence prevention and security teams
    • Government public safety and education agencies
    • Private practice consultation and expert evaluations
Presented By

Stephanie Leite, PhD

Dr. Stephanie Leite is the principal at Forensic Intelligence, LLC. She has worked with high-risk children, adolescents, and adults for over 25 years focusing on the prevention of violence. She is a psychologist holding licenses in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. She has spoken internationally on her favorite topics. She is the current president of the New England Chapter of Threat Assessment Professionals, the president of the forensic division of the Connecticut Psychological Association, and is affiliated with the University of Hartford and Columbia University. She loves complex, chewy cases and is always available and approachable.


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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.