The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach

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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. 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. 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.

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. 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. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) Module 4: The ADOS-2 is the gold standard for diagnosing autism in people of all ages. Module 4 is used specifically for adults and is not a questionnaire. Instead, the professional administering the test will observe how you respond to certain prompts. They evaluate both what you say and how you behave.

A guide for identifying autism in adults and figuring out what comes next

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. The Awesome Autistic Go To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis

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. Tavassoli T, Miller LJ, Schoen SA, Nielsen DM, Baron-Cohen S. Sensory over-responsivity in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Autism. 2014;18(4):428-432. doi:10.1177/1362361313477246In 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: Alongside her colleagues in The Adult Autism Practice, Davida has just published ‘ The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach’ which is out now. You were seeking counseling or support for something else as an adult, and the clinician brought up autism. 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 Davida i(she/her) s an Adjunct Professor in the UCD School of Psychology and Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) (Membership Number: M5129C).