Adult Autism Assessment: A Neurodiversity-Affirmative Approach

The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook
	Cover
	Of related interest
	Title Page
	Copyright
	Acknowledgements
	Contents
	1. Introduction
		Who We Are and Why We Are Writing This Book
		An Introduction to Autism Assessment
		Declaration of Privilege
	2. Language Guide
		Key Neuro-Affirmative Terminology (with a Focus on Autistic Neurology)
		Introduction
		Use ‘Autistic Person’, Not ‘Person with Autism’
		Just Call It ‘Autism’, Not ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’, ‘ASD’, ‘Autism Spectrum Condition’ or ‘ASC’
		Use ‘Disabled Person’, Not ‘Person with a Disability’
		Talk about ‘High’ or ‘Low’ Support Needs in Specific Areas, Not ‘High’ or ‘Low Functioning’
		Other Ableist Language to Avoid
		Further Recommended Reading
	3. A Brief History of Autistic People and the Neurodiversity Movement
		Introduction
		The 1940s, ‘Bad Parenting’
		The 1960s and 1970s, Genetics and a Spectrum
		The 1980s, and Applied Behaviour Analysis
		The 1980s and 1990s, Self-Advocating and the Internet
		The 1990s and 2000s, and the Neurodiversity Movement
		Controversy
		The 2000s to Today, Steps Forward and Back
		Common Criticisms of the Neurodiversity Movement
	4. Understanding Autistic People
		Ableism and Why It Is the Core Issue in Need of Addressing
		Ableism and Autistic People
		The Medical, Social and Biopsychosocial Models of Disability
		Is Being Autistic Disabling?
		Morality, Empathy and Compassion
		Current Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
		What Does It Mean to Be Autistic?
		Why Is It So Important for Autistic People to Recognize That They are Autistic?
		Self-Identification
	5. Theories of Autistic Neurology
		Introduction
		A Brief Overview of Some of the Theories of Autistic Neurology
	6. Autistic Perception
		Introduction
		The Eight Senses
		Sensory Processing Systems
		The Process of All-Human Perception
		Practice-Based Recommendations
	7. What Does It Mean to Be Neuro-Affirmative?
		Introduction
		Ways to Be Neuro-Affirmative
	8. Current Adult Autism Assessment Guidelines
		Introduction
		American and Canadian Guidelines
		UK NICE Guidelines
		Australian Guidelines
		Scottish SIGN Guidelines
	9. Medical Model Assessments
		Introduction
		Screeners
		Tests
		Reports
		Power Dynamics
		Involving Caregivers and Early History
		Cognitive Assessments
	10. Important Considerations
		Intersectionality
		Cultural Competence
		Women
		Masking or Camouflaging
		Later Years of Life
		LGBTQIA+/Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversities
		Gender Variance
		Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
		‘Borderline Personality Disorder’
		Intellectual Disability
		Anxiety
		Co-Occurring Mood Disorders
		Eating Disorders
		Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
		Alexithymia
		Assisting Communication/Non-Speaking Autistic People
		Medical Issues
		Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyslexia
		Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyscalculia
		Specific Learning Difficulties: Developmental Co-Ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
	11. How to Make Your Assessment Accessible
		Barriers to Accessing Assessment
		How to Make Your Assessment Accessible
	12. How to Conduct a Neuro-Affirmative Assessment
		Introduction
		The Importance of Autistic and Neurodivergent Professionals Being an Integral Part of the Team
		Assessment as a Therapeutic Process
		People are Collaborative Partners within the Assessment Process
		Consent
		Screening Questionnaires
		Session Amount, Length and Content
		Pre-Assessment Consultation
		Session One
		Session Two
		Final Assessment Session
		Post-Assessment Support
		Gathering and Interpreting Information
		Involving Family Members and/or Others in the Assessment Process
		Reports, Letters and Documents 
		Applying for Welfare Payments (e.g., Disability Allowance, Personal Independence Payment)
		Considering Previous Diagnoses
		Support When Being Autistic Is Not Identified
		Reflections for Clinicians within the Process
	13. Post-Assessment Support and Recommendations
		Introduction
		How Best to Signpost and Support People Post Assessment
		Recommendations for Adapting the Journey
		Recommendations for First Contact
		Recommendations for Co-Creating Therapeutic Goals
		Recommendations for Measuring Outcomes
	Appendix 1: The Neuro-Affirmative Language Guide
	Appendix 2: Making Zoom More Comfortable for You
	Appendix 3: Looking After Myself Plan
	Appendix 4: Workplace Accommodations Self-Reflection Exercise
	Appendix 5: Neuro-Affirmative Autistic Criteria Mapping Document
	Appendix 6: Healthcare Passport for Autistic Adults
	Appendix 7: Autism COVID-19 Individual Health Action Plan, Universal Format
	References
	About the Authors
	Subject Index
	Author Index