The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach

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Co-occurring conditions and other common related issues like ADHD, GI issues, and autistic burnout, among others Rynkiewicz A, Janas-Kozik M, Słopień A. Girls and women with autism. Psychiatr Pol. 2019 Aug 31;53(4):737-752. English, Polish. doi:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/95098. Jones SL, Johnson M, Alty B, Adamou M. The Effectiveness of RAADS-R as a Screening Tool for Adult ASD Populations. Autism Res Treat. 2021 Sep 11;2021:9974791. doi:10.1155/2021/9974791.

Whilst the book focuses specifically on autism assessments in adults, the essential principles of the neuroaffirmative approach apply across the lifespan. In addition to promoting a more respectful and collaborative approach to assessment, this text covers the broader social context in which those assessments take place and introduce the reader to the neurodiversity movement with its contemporary challenges as well as rich history. Autistic voices and perspectives are centred throughout. It's a worthwhile read for anyone working with autistic people and not just those tasked specifically with conducting diagnostic assessments. She founded The Adult Autism Practice in 2020 with a vision of providing respectful, neurodiversity affirmative, strengths based adult autism assessments within a team that is shaped by the Autistic voice and experience. Barrett SL, Uljarević M, Baker EK, Richdale AL, Jones CRG, Leekam SR. The Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A): A self-report measure of restricted and repetitive behaviours. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(11):3680-3692. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2514-6Bargiela S, Steward R, Mandy W. The experiences of late-diagnosed women with autism spectrum conditions: An investigation of the female autism phenotype. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016;46(10):3281-3294. doi:10.1007%2Fs10803-016-2872-8 Davida does not currently undertake adult autism assessments in the practice, but is very happy to link you with one of our amazing team members, all of whom she works very closely with. In this brilliant book all the aspects for understanding autistic neurology and giving an appropriate assessment are clearly framed. 41% of the population remain undiagnosed and over 40% commit suicide. This handbook is an essential tool in understanding and assessing for autism. Want to get it right? You need this book! Jessica K Doyle is an Autistic Assistant Psychologist at the Adult Autism Practice, a director at Thriving Autistic, a project officer at TCDSense, and a consultant and researcher passionate about exploring Autistic perception and repositioning the lens away from thwarting Neurodivergent authenticity to designing for diversity, fostering growth and committing to universal design. Davida is also a lecturer and trainer, providing consultation in the area of autism to a number of different groups and agencies including Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, the National Council of Special Education and the National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS) in addition to presenting training workshops at Psychological Society of Ireland, As I Am and Cork Autism Conferences. However, “Nothing About Us Without Us” is something Davida works hard to uphold, and she now ensures that an Autistic colleague is also present at all events alongside her.

Dr Anna Day is an Autistic clinical psychologist, worked previously in the UK's NHS and is now a Senior Clinical Psychologist at The Adult Autism Practice. Anna's daughter is Autistic. Anna is passionate about advocating for Autistic rights and Neuro-Affirmative approaches within mental health care and education.In addition to explaining the clinical definition of autism, diagnosis, and services, supports and rights, the Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit also amplifies the autistic adult voice and what living on the spectrum looks like. Learn from other autistic adults who have walked down the path. Topics covered in this Tool Kit include: Developmental,Dimensional,andDiagnosticInterview-AdultVersion(3Di-Adult): This standard tool for diagnosing adult autism focuses on how you communicate and interact in social situations. It also looks for intensely focused interests, such as an obsession with a particular object, and certain behaviors. Whilst the book focuses specifically on autism assessments in adults, the essential principles of the neuroaffirmative approach apply across the lifespan. In addition to promoting a more respectful and collaborative approach to assessment, this text covers the broader social context in which those assessments take place and introduce the reader to the neurodiversity movement with its contemporary challenges as well as rich history. Autistic voices and perspectives are centred throughout. It's a worthwhile read for anyone working with autistic people and not just those tasked specifically with conducting diagnostic assessments. -- Dr Anna Rebowska, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Tara O'Donnell-Killen is the founder and Principal Psychologist at Thriving Autistic, a non-profit global multidisciplinary team of Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent practitioners who specialise in supporting late-identified neurodivergent adults. Tara has held the role of Support lead for the Adult Autism Practice since inception and frequently lectures on Neuro-Affirmative Practice for universities across the UK and Ireland.

Davida is neurodivergent herself, having been identified as ADHD in 2022, and is a passionate ally of the Autistic community in Ireland, the UK and beyond. To this end, she has ensured that The Adult Autism Practice both employs and is shaped by #ActuallyAutistic professionals. Hus V, Lord C. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Module 4: Revised algorithm and standardized severity scores. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014;44(8):1996-2012. doi:10.1007%2Fs10803-014-2080-3 Dr Maeve Kavanagh is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who has worked with the Autistic community in both public and private services in Ireland since 2008. Maeve has worked as a Principle Clinical Psychologist with The Adult Autism Practice since its foundation in 2020, and is Co-Director of Childversity, specialising in Neuro-Affirmative autism assessments for children and adolescents.

Summary

With clarity, practicality and humanity, this ground-breaking book exemplifies the paradigm shift to a neurodiversity affirmative perspective, the only one we should aim for today'. If you care for autistic people, this is THE book you want to read whatever your prior level of knowledge. -- Bernadette Grosjean MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry (retired) Harbor UCLA. USA. This necessary book provides a valuable contribution to professional discourse regarding neuroaffirmative adult-appropriate autism assessments. Hartman and her colleagues have provided a clear, reasoned and practical set of steps that professionals can take towards providing high-quality person centred assessments founded on respect for the strengths and preferences of the individual. This will be an important resource for anyone working with autistic adults. Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS): This 65-question test assesses social challenges, and is often used as part of a comprehensive battery of tests used to diagnose autism.