Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™)

Clinical fellows also receive clinical training in common associated conditions such as intellectual disability, developmental delays, genetic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, and social-emotional disorders. The residency features specialized training and experiences utilizing gold standard testing instruments and implementing empirically based intervention strategies specific to autism. The program provides fellows 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 autism.

To obtain clinical competency within the diverse autistic population, postdoctoral fellows complete two year-long rotations at CASSI, with 40 to 50 percent of time providing direct clinical care. Training is focused on developing psychological testing and diagnostic assessment skills as well as competency in delivering a range of intervention models. Assessment experiences are divided into specific rotations that provide intensive focus on specific age ranges of children (i.e., school-age children and adolescents; toddlers and preschoolers). 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 both years, the fellow will increase competence in ethics and diversity through clinical experiences, supervision, and didactic training. Over the course of the fellowship, the fellow will 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 Center for Developmental Behavioral Health, the Department of Neuropsychology and 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).