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• Transparent Deep Learning to Identify Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in EHR Using Clinical Notes

  • When
    16 Dec 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

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  Presenter: Justin Gardner, Psy.D

  1 CE Available

  Article Link

  If you have trouble accessing the article, please email us at aapdnoffice@gmail.com.

  Abstract:

  Early and equitable identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains one of the most pressing challenges in pediatric neuropsychology. Traditional diagnostic pathways are time-intensive, costly, and often inaccessible for families from underrepresented or rural backgrounds. Recent advances in natural language processing (NLP)—a form of artificial intelligence that “reads” and interprets text—offer promising new tools to assist clinicians in rapidly screening large volumes of qualitative information already present in medical and educational records. This Journal Club will review and discuss Leroy et al. (2024), “Transparent Deep Learning to Identify Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in EHR Using Clinical Notes,” published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA). The study demonstrates how NLP can identify DSM-5 criteria for ASD directly from narrative clinical notes, offering a transparent, auditable, and clinically interpretable approach to AI-assisted diagnosis.

  While the research methods are highly technical, no programming or AI expertise is required to participate. Discussion will focus on how these tools might enhance the efficiency and accuracy of pediatric neuropsychological evaluations without sacrificing clinical judgment or the nuanced understanding that only human examiners can provide. Participants will consider how embracing transparent AI systems could reduce evaluation costs, improve early access to care, and increase equity and diversity in diagnostic pathways. Attendees will also explore broader ethical and practical implications of integrating machine learning into neuropsychological assessment, including issues of transparency, accountability, and the preservation of clinician autonomy.

  Level of Activity: Introductory

  Objectives:

  Objective #1: Participants will describe how natural language processing (NLP) and transparent deep learning models can be applied to narrative clinical data (e.g., clinical notes, behavioral observations, and teacher/parent reports) to assist in the identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  Objective #2: Participants will evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of integrating AI-assisted screening tools into pediatric neuropsychological practice, with particular focus on transparency, diagnostic accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.

  Objective #3: Participants will discuss strategies for incorporating emerging technological tools to enhance efficiency and equity in ASD diagnosis while preserving clinician judgment and ethical standards of neuropsychological practice.

  Speaker Bio:

  Justin Gardner, PsyD is a licensed psychologist in the state of Arizona. He runs a small private practice in Gilbert, Arizona named The Modern Psychologist. Dr. Gardner specializes in providing pediatric neuropsychological evaluations, psychological evaluations, and psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of clinical presentations. Dr. Gardner provides consultation services to psychologists looking to integrate modern approaches to the practice of clinical psychology.

  Dr. Gardner completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. He completed his doctoral internship at The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in concert with the Rochester General Hospital Center for Clinical Systems Biology, where he conducted research in developing computational models for diagnosing and predicting maximal treatment outcomes for patients with a variety of neuropsychological and psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Gardner completed his postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology under the supervision of Paul Beljan, PsyD at Beljan Psychological Services in Scottsdale, Arizona.

  Dr. Gardner currently serves on the board of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN) as the co-chair of the Technology and Marketing Committee. He is also a member of the Continuing Education Committee and Conference Committee. Dr. Gardner is the moderator for AAPdN virtual events.

  
  

  
  

  The American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  

  AAPdN is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0059. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

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• The ever-evolving state of video-based telehealth practice: An overview of ethical and legal practice considerations

  • When
    10 Jan 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote

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  Speaker: Jonathan Perle, PhD, ABPP

  3 CEs Available

  Level of Activity: Intermediate

  Abstract: 

  Despite rapid adoption of video-based telehealth among clinical psychologists, research has long suggested variable preparation among healthcare practitioners both prior to and post COVID-19 (Dopp et al., 2021; Glueckauf et al., 2018; Montoya et al., 2022; Perle et al., 2024; 2023; Sammons et al., 2020). Researchers and guiding organizations have suggested an ongoing need for practitioner training that can begin in graduate school and continue into their licensed career as continuing education activities (Dopp et al., 2021; Frye et al, 2022; Perle, 2021). Unfortunately, telehealth literature and training series fragmentation, as well as a lack of specificity in training programming, continue to be challenges limiting a clinical psychologist’s ability to acquire necessary knowledge of the numerous competencies relevant to a telehealth-based psychological service. The current presentation is designed to provide clinical psychologists with a broad overview of both ethical and legal considerations relevant to the use of videoconferencing in psychological healthcare services.

  Objectives:

  1. Identify the key elements of contemporary psychology-focused videoconferencing research. 
  2. Identify and detail at least three common ethical and/or legal considerations for videoconferencing-based practice. 
  3. Describe considerations with cross-jurisdiction videoconferencing-based practice.
     

  About Dr. Perle:

  Jonathan Perle, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical child and adolescent psychologist, associate professor, and director of telepsychology at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. In addition to his current responsibilities that include trainee education, specialty clinic management, and conducting research, Dr. Perle provides both in-person and digital psychological care. Beginning in his graduate education and spanning his ongoing career, Dr. Perle has studied, and taught about telehealth. Combined works have resulted in peer-reviewed publications, a videoconferencing-focused book, articles in national periodicals, professional presentations, expert interviews for media, consultative services including his participation in the American Psychological Association’s revision for the Professional Practice Guidelines for Telepsychology, and his design and implementation of one of the first recognized telehealth-specific doctoral-level courses for clinical psychology students. Dr. Perle has also been recognized as a psychological innovator by the American Psychological Association’s Monitor for his work designing an evidence-based and HIPAA-compliant smartphone application related to parent management training. In addition to serving as a reviewer for multiple journals, he serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Sciences.

  

  
  

  The American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 
  

  AAPdN is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0059. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

  *Event Cancellation Policy*

  Cancellations must be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the event to receive a full refund.

  Cancellations made within 10 days of the event will not be eligible for a refund.

  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

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