The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach

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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.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. 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. 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. -- Dr. Lorraine Seery, Principal Clinical Psychologist

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. 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. Full of additional resources like language guidelines and an exploration of the common intersections between Autistic experience and the effects of trauma, mental health and more, this book supplies a breadth of knowledge on key areas that affect Autistic adults in everyday life.

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

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. Davida has written several books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers on topics related to supporting Autistic children and young people. See www.davidahartman.ie. The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum by Jeanette Purkis, Emma Goodall and Jane Nugent The Neuro-Affirmative approach to autism described in this comprehensive and beautifully written book is vital for all psychiatrists and diagnostic clinicians. Davida 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.Roadmap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults *Participants from The Nicholas Center appears in Tool Kit cover image. Complete the form below to access the 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! -- Dr. Wenn B. Lawson (PhD) AFBPsS MAPS.AASW Davida has been working with Autistic children, young people and adults for over twenty years. Prior to setting up The Children's Clinic and The Adult Autism Practice, she worked for ten years with the HSE as a Senior Psychologist in HSE Disability Services in Carlow/Kilkenny and prior to this in HSE Beechpark Services, Dublin (providing specialist services to Autistic children and their families). The original version of this guide was released in 2015 with a comprehensive review and update in 2023, led by a team of autistic adults, including outside contributors, with the help of Autism Speaks staff, board and advisory members. Recommended supplemental resources: