* Discusses how awareness of autism has evolved, beginning with a relatively homogenous group of patients with obvious symptoms and increasingly including a wider range of patients with less obvious symptoms and less need for support * Reviews the DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, teaching clinicians what each criterion encompasses, particularly in individuals who are less obviously autistic * Describes traits and challenges that are not part of the formal diagnostic criteria, but which commonly co-occur in autistic individuals with less obvious traits * Includes reflections from those with subtle autism who struggled to be diagnosed

This companion guide to Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else shows clinicians how to assess for the possibility of autism in clients of all ages. Understanding of autism has greatly expanded in recent years, and many clinicians feel ill-equipped or confused about how to incorporate this knowledge into their diagnostic process. As a result, countless unidentified autistic people do not have reasonable access to proper identification or support. This book describes current assessment methods, including interviewing, rating scales, self-report measures, social cognition tests, and behavioral observations. It also provides guidance regarding cultural considerations, common mistakes, and how to communicate with and support clients through the diagnostic process. This very practical clinical guide provides a clear and neurodiversity-affirmative approach to autism assessment, particularly for autistic individuals who have previously been missed. It is relevant to all healthcare professionals who want to learn how to identify autism in their clients.

* Discusses how awareness of autism has evolved, beginning with a relatively homogenous group of patients with obvious symptoms and increasingly including a wider range of patients with less obvious symptoms and less need for support * Reviews the DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, teaching clinicians what each criterion encompasses, particularly in individuals who are less obviously autistic * Describes traits and challenges that are not part of the formal diagnostic criteria, but which commonly co-occur in autistic individuals with less obvious traits * Includes reflections from those with subtle autism who struggled to be diagnosed

This companion guide to Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else shows clinicians how to assess for the possibility of autism in clients of all ages. Understanding of autism has greatly expanded in recent years, and many clinicians feel ill-equipped or confused about how to incorporate this knowledge into their diagnostic process. As a result, countless unidentified autistic people do not have reasonable access to proper identification or support. This book describes current assessment methods, including interviewing, rating scales, self-report measures, social cognition tests, and behavioral observations. It also provides guidance regarding cultural considerations, common mistakes, and how to communicate with and support clients through the diagnostic process. This very practical clinical guide provides a clear and neurodiversity-affirmative approach to autism assessment, particularly for autistic individuals who have previously been missed. It is relevant to all healthcare professionals who want to learn how to identify autism in their clients.