Assessment of Autism in Females and Nuanced Presentations: Integrating Research Into Practice

This book examines autism characteristics that may be different than expected (atypical), primarily found in females, but also in others and are likely to be missed or misdiagnosed when identification and support are needed. It follows a lifespan framework, guiding readers through comprehensive assessment processes at any age. The book integrates interpretations of standardized measures, information from scientific literature, and context from first-person accounts to provide a more nuanced and sensitive approach to assessment. It addresses implications for improved treatment and supports based on comprehensive assessment processes and includes case studies within each age range to consolidate and illustrate assessment processes.

Key areas of coverage include:

• Interdisciplinary assessment processes, including psychology, speech and language pathology, education, and health care disciplines.
• Lifespan approach to comprehensive assessment of autism in females/atypical autism.
• Guide to interpretation of standardized measures in females/atypical autism.
• Additional assessment tools and processes to provide diagnostic clarity.
• Descriptions of barriers in diagnostic processes from first-person accounts.
• Intervention and support strategies tied to assessment data.
• In-depth explanations of evidence and at-a-glance summaries.

Assessment of Autism in Females and Nuanced Presentations is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, practitioners, and policymakers in developmental and clinical psychology, speech language pathology, medicine, education, social work, mental health, and all interrelated disciplines.

Terisa P. Gabrielsen, Ph.D., NCSP, is an associate professor of School Psychology in the School of Education at Brigham Young University and a licensed psychologist. She has 15 years of interdisciplinary clinical and research experience in toddler, PreK-12, hospital, clinical, and research settings. Her specialties are early identification of autism, social skills interventions, and building community capacity in autism services.

Kristin Kawena Begay, Ph.D., NCSP, is an assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of Washington, Tacoma. She is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist with 20 years of experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse PreK-12, university, and clinic settings. Dr. Begay has served in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, counselor, school psychologist, licensed psychologist, trainer, and consultant.

Kathleen Campbell, M.D., MHSc, isa pediatrician and pursuing fellowship training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has clinical experience and has published research relating to screening, diagnosis, and medical care of autistic children.

Katrina Hahn, MEd, CCC-SLP, is a speech and language pathologist with the University of Utah Developmental Assessment Clinics. She has 19 years of experience in various capacities in early intervention, PreK-12, and clinical settings. Ms. Hahn specializes in the identification, evaluation, and therapy planning for social-emotional development and pragmatic language for individuals with autism.

Lucas T. Harrington, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist at the University of Washington Autism Center. He is autistic and personally experienced the challenges of seeking evaluation as an adult who was assigned female at birth. Dr. Harrington provides neurodiversity-affirming services for autistic people and their supporters in various areas, including diagnostic evaluation, individual therapy, parent coaching, and consultation/training. Dr. Harrington has also been known professionally as Natasha Harrington, PsyD.