The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach

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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. 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. In addition to her work with The Adult Autism Practice, Davida continues to be Co-Director and Principal Psychologist at The Children’s Clinic, open since 2016 and providing multi-disciplinary services to children 0-18 with a strong specialty and expertise in assessing and supporting Autistic children. See www.thechildrensclinic.ie. Adult autism assessment is a new and fast-growing clinical area, for which professionals often feel ill-equipped. Autistic adults are often misdiagnosed which has enormous implications for their mental health.

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 recently found out that you were diagnosed with autism in childhood, but your parents/guardians did not disclose that to you. Bargiela 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%2Fs10803-016-2872-8Davida has contributed to local and national media including The Irish Times, The Sunday Independent, Newstalk, the Irish Independent, KCLR Radio and the Organisation for Autism Researchas well as professional publications in The Irish Psychologist. 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 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.

You were seeking counseling or support for something else as an adult, and the clinician brought up autism. 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.

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

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.