Getting to know and appreciate them.
This course offers a foundational understanding of the Autism Spectrum and how it presents in young children. You’ll learn how to recognize early signs, support inclusive learning, and work collaboratively with families when developmental concerns arise. The goal is to help educators create supportive, welcoming environments for all children.
Through practical strategies and real-life examples, this course will guide you in adapting classroom activities, promoting peer interactions, and fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusion.
Psychologist, Author, Podcast Host
Cindy Ariel, Ph.D., has practiced as a psychologist for over 25 years. She has worked in both outpatient community mental health and private in-patient settings. She also worked for several years in grant-funded programs geared toward helping disadvantaged college students to succeed in college, and taught college-level courses in psychology, sociology, and communication. Dr. Ariel provides guidance for individuals, couples, and families of all kinds. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression and grief, relationship concerns, and women's' issues. In addition, one of the specialties that her LGBTQ friendly practice, Alternative Choices, has become widely known for is working with families with special needs. Dr. Ariel does a lot of work with parents of special needs children and with professional adults on the autism spectrum. Dr. Ariel writes occasionally for several publications and is co-editor of the book, Voices from the Spectrum (2006). She is also author of Loving Someone with Asperger's Syndrome: Understanding and Connecting with your Partner (2012), a self-help book for intimate partners of someone on the autism spectrum. In addition to her practice, for the past two years Cindy has been co-hosting a podcast on psychology and social justice called Shrinks on Third.
