Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Center for Autism and Related Disorders

Clinical fellows also receive clinical training in common associated conditions such as intellectual disability, developmental delays, genetic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning issues, and social-emotional disorders. The residency features specialized training and experiences utilizing gold standard testing instruments and implementing empirically based intervention strategies specific to ASD. The program provides residents with the opportunity to work with a highly diverse patient population ranging from early childhood to young adulthood and who present with a wide variety of clinical needs. Through these experiences, fellows obtain the skills necessary to begin their careers as psychologists and to become leaders in the field of ASD.

To obtain clinical competency within the diverse ASD population, postdoctoral fellows complete two year-long rotations at CARD, with 40 to 50 percent of time providing direct clinical care. The first rotation is focused primarily on developing assessment and treatment skills specific to school-age children and adolescents including youth who are transitioning to adulthood. The second rotation is focused primarily on developing clinical competency in assessing and treating young and early functioning children. In accordance with the scientist-practitioner model of training and practice, postdoctoral fellows receive training via didactic instruction, specific skill modeling, supervised and independent practice, and direct evaluation of research. Over the course of the fellowship, the fellow will increase competence in ethics and cultural diversity through clinical experiences, supervision and didactic training and take on greater responsibility for the care and direction of their assessment and treatment cases. The residency also includes the opportunity to participate in minor training rotations in a variety of programs across the Institute such as the Psychiatric Mental Health Program, the Department of Neuropsychology, and the Kennedy Krieger School Programs. Additionally, fellows are provided opportunities to initiate or to collaborate on research projects as part of their training experience.  

There is no requirement for postdoctoral training in order to obtain licensure as a psychologist in Maryland. This fellowship does, however, satisfy supervised practice hours that are required in surrounding states (e.g., Pennsylvania, Virginia).