Autism and Oral Health

Autism and Oral Health: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior (2.0 CEUs)

Learn how ABA strategies can help individuals on the autism spectrum—build vital skills for daily oral hygiene and successfully navigate dental visits. (2.0 CEUs) Published 10.30.26.

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Objectives

After completing this course, students will:

Describe the diagnostic symptoms of autism that might lead to challenges with the oral health care routine and dental visits
Describe at least 3 strategies to support family members with at home oral health care routines based on functional analysis information
Describe at least 3 strategies to support and improve the dental visit based on functional analysis information

Course curriculum

1
Welcome!
- Welcome!
- Welcome! Autism and Oral Health: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior
- Zoom Link for LIVE course: Autism and Oral Health: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior (12:30pm ET Start time)
- Slides Download
2
Last steps
- ASR: Quiz - Please answer these questions
- STOP! PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT CEUs INFORMATION:
- Completion Survey

Autism and Oral Health: Understanding and Managing the Challenges

Oral health care is widely recognized by health experts as a leading unmet health need for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

While having autism does not directly impact or harm teeth, daily habits, sensory differences, and difficulties during dental visits create major roadblocks with oral health care for families. Common dental issues that occur as a result of poor dental hygiene include greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Additional concerns including teeth grinding can be more common in autistic individuals. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies can help individuals—particularly children on the autism spectrum—build vital skills for daily oral hygiene and successfully navigate dental visits.

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Instructor

Kelly Bermingham

MA BCBA

[email protected]

Kelly Bermingham has been practicing in the field of ABA for 30 years! She received her BCBA in 2003. She is a published author who specializes in Early Intervention Program development and helping clients with social skills. She partnered with Janis Krempa in writing the book "Social Skills Solutions- A Hands-On Manual for Teaching Social Skills to Children with Autism." which has become a ‘go-to’ resource for educators, parents and professionals to teach social skills to children with autism. She has completed research and written several blogs for Autism Speaks during her time at UCI. Kelly is an ESDM certified therapist and a PEERS certified therapist. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President at Peoples Care Behavioral Health. She created and taught BACB coursework for Chapman University as an adjunct professor for 6 years. She is on the board of several organizations including the September 26th project, Code the Spectrum and KindandSafe schools anti-bullying program. She helped found a school for middle school & high school children on the Autism Spectrum: New Vista School as well as a sports league for children with autism: Spirit League. She was on the Autism Spectrum Taskforce Created by Senator Correa from 2004-2006. Kelly has spent her career working and supporting families, children, schools and therapists on best practice, evidence-based services with a goal from moving from 1:1 learning to group learning. She is experienced in understanding and working with severe/profound autism. She is co-leader of the Profound autism SIG and Caregiver collaboration SIG as part of our CASP membership. Kelly is well-versed in the latest research on ASD. She’s professional in her practice, while also being warm, friendly and genuinely caring for the well-being of her clients.