Strengths-Based and Neurodiversity Affirming Approach to Autism Assessment: A Practitioner’s Guide

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Rebecca Sachs, PhD, ABPP Related seminars and products

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Rebecca Sachs, PhD, ABPP, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals on the Autism spectrum who also experience difficult co-occurring disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and severe anxiety. She works with individuals across the life span and believes in empowering individuals and their families with knowledge and skills. Board certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology, Dr. Sachs was recently awarded a federally funded grant through the New York State Office of Mental Health, aimed at helping train community-based service providers better serve children and youth who are dually diagnosed with mental illness, like OCD, and a developmental disability. She has a private practice in New York and is co-director of Successful School Transitions, a comprehensive program for school refusal. Dr. Sachs received her bachelor’s degree, and PhD from New York University and Hofstra University, respectively, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami. In addition to these roles, Dr. Sachs is mom to an energetic and determined 6-year-old and stepmom to the coolest 15-year-old around.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Rebecca Sachs is the co-founder of Successful School Transitions and maintains a private practice. She has employment relationships with the International OCD Foundation and the LIU Post. Dr. Sachs receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Rebecca Sachs is a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Associations, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the New York State Psychological Association.

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Objectives

1. Utilize functional assessments to screen for Autism. 
2. Identify the function of challenging behaviors. 
3. Determine what type of referral is appropriate for Autism evaluation or services. 

Outline

Assessment and Screening Through a Neurodiversity Lens 

• Why Assessment is important 
• Understanding language (autism, support needs, Autistic developmental trajectory) 
• Age of receiving diagnosis and acceptance 
• Cost of masking & social camouflage 
• Benefits of community and a sense of belonging 
• What is neurodiversity, ablism and disability 
• Profile and information processing differences 
• Identifying strengths and passions 
• Needed supports to promote independence & valued living 
• Types of Assessment 

Behaviors that Challenge Assessment 

• Diagnosis isn’t the main issue  
• How to encourage more helpful behaviors, regardless of diagnoses and environment 
• Current behavior is important to address 
• Once function of behavior is identified, what next? 
• Assessing mismatch between expectations and skills needed to meet that demand. 
• Case Example 

When Screening Shows Autism... Now What? 

• Screenings Everyone can use  
• Types of referrals to make and why they are so important 
• Psychoeducation resources  
• Understanding elements of an appropriate evaluation 

Discussing of Autism with Clients (and their Families) 

• Earlier diagnosis -> earlier intervention -> better trajectory 
• Educational identification vs medical diagnoses 
• Thinking beyond the medical model 
• System challenges: Time to get to a proper evaluation 
• Racial and economic disparities: Social justice and equity lens 
• Gender differences and LCBTQA+ diversities 
• Help clients and caregivers process acceptance and address ambivalence 
• Discomfort/ambivalence in relaying diagnosis 

Assessment as a Therapeutic Process 

• Why assessment can be therapeutic 
• Goals and elements of a neurodivergent affirming assessment 

Risk and Limitations  

Target Audience

• Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors 
• Marriage & Family Therapists 
• Psychologists 
• Social Workers 
• Speech-Language Pathologists 
• Occupational Therapists 
• Physical Therapists 
• School Administrators 
• Teachers/School-Based Personnel 
• Occupational Therapy Assistants 
• Physical Therapist Assistants 
• Addiction Professionals