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The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity Affirmative Approach
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.
This accessible and comprehensive adult autism assessment handbook covers the most up to date research and best practice around adult autism assessment, centering the person's internal experiences and sense-making in clinical assessment, rather than subjective observation, thus providing the clinician with a truly paradigm shifting Neuro-Affirmative approach to autism assessment. Traditional clinical assessment tools are comprehensively explored and unpacked to enable the clinician to have full confidence in aligning traditional criteria to the Autistic person's subjective experiences.
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.
The mixed team of neurotypical and neurodivergent authors describe lived experience of Autistic adults, a how-to for conducting Neuro-Affirmative assessments and post-assessment support, alongside reflections from practice. This book also has a directory of further resources including downloadable forms that you can use to prepare for your own assessments and a downloadable deep dive into Autistic perception. This guide will also support professionals through every step of the assessment process.
This accessible and comprehensive adult autism assessment handbook covers the most up to date research and best practice around adult autism assessment, centering the person's internal experiences and sense-making in clinical assessment, rather than subjective observation, thus providing the clinician with a truly paradigm shifting Neuro-Affirmative approach to autism assessment. Traditional clinical assessment tools are comprehensively explored and unpacked to enable the clinician to have full confidence in aligning traditional criteria to the Autistic person's subjective experiences.
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.
The mixed team of neurotypical and neurodivergent authors describe lived experience of Autistic adults, a how-to for conducting Neuro-Affirmative assessments and post-assessment support, alongside reflections from practice. This book also has a directory of further resources including downloadable forms that you can use to prepare for your own assessments and a downloadable deep dive into Autistic perception. This guide will also support professionals through every step of the assessment process.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2023
116 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 5, 2023
4.5. LOTS of generally good best practices for collaborative mental health care and diagnosis. The authors cite recent research and acknowledge need for further research into Autistic experiences. I appreciated the strengths based reframe of pathology focused criteria in documents like the DSM. Another strength of the book is that the authors covered a significant breath of information related to adult Autistic experiences and misdiagnosis important for the mental health clinician understanding and rigorously cited recent research. The book also provides specific strategies for the non-Autistic clinician's learning curve on Autistic lived experiences.
However, I was hoping for more information on conducting an empirical assessment itself with construct validity. The authors recommend against use of psychometrics except the CAT-Q and (highly reasonably) critique the existing validated tools. The authors do not provide an operationalized alternative assessment strategy. I was hoping for something like a semi-structured interview guide. The authors also do not discuss how they distinguish not-autism from Autism in the case where someone does not meet formalized criteria. I think reframing all the criteria is absolutely a valid approach for someone seeking a conversation with a professional to validate their self-realized experience but mental health professionals are held to standards of evidence based care which are very challenging when there is a paucity of good research.
However, I was hoping for more information on conducting an empirical assessment itself with construct validity. The authors recommend against use of psychometrics except the CAT-Q and (highly reasonably) critique the existing validated tools. The authors do not provide an operationalized alternative assessment strategy. I was hoping for something like a semi-structured interview guide. The authors also do not discuss how they distinguish not-autism from Autism in the case where someone does not meet formalized criteria. I think reframing all the criteria is absolutely a valid approach for someone seeking a conversation with a professional to validate their self-realized experience but mental health professionals are held to standards of evidence based care which are very challenging when there is a paucity of good research.
October 7, 2025
Excellent book.
Bear in mind this is aimed at professionals and yet certainly the first 10 chapters should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in adult autism generally. After that it's still of interest but is more specifically written for the benefit of assessors and practitioners.
Can't recommend it highly enough and could be rewritten in a lay version to educate the wider audience.
Bear in mind this is aimed at professionals and yet certainly the first 10 chapters should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in adult autism generally. After that it's still of interest but is more specifically written for the benefit of assessors and practitioners.
Can't recommend it highly enough and could be rewritten in a lay version to educate the wider audience.
May 8, 2025
This comprehensive book provides an in-depth explanation of autism from a neuroaffirmative perspective. As the name suggests, it is mainly for clinicians, but it has lots of valuable information for those who are not. In the Appendix, several resources can be used for assessments and to better understand a potential patient. At some points it became a bit repetitive, that's why I didn't give it the five stars.
January 23, 2025
The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook is an ambitious and thought-provoking resource aimed at redefining the diagnostic approach for adults with suspected autism or those seeking clarity around autism. Written by a team of authors, including autistic contributors, the book strives to move beyond traditional medical models, offering a fresh, neuro-affirmative perspective. While it has its imperfections, it remains a valuable addition to the autism community.
The book opens with an introduction where the authors explain their motivations and emphasize the importance of integrating diverse perspectives. They suggest reading the chapters in sequence to fully grasp the material, though as a non-professional reader, I didn’t adhere strictly to this advice.
One standout aspect, which I found both insightful and slightly overemphasized, is the focus on language. The authors advocate for identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”) and encourage professionals to adopt respectful, inclusive terminology. While their arguments are compelling, the emphasis on this topic occasionally felt excessive for readers outside professional settings.
The book excels in providing a deep dive into the history of the neurodiversity movement, exploring how autism has been understood and approached over time. It highlights the often-overlooked voices of autistic individuals and underscores the importance of recognizing autism as a distinct and valid neurotype rather than a disorder. The authors frame autism as a naturally occurring neurological difference, deeply connected to identity, culture, and community, which offers a refreshing shift from deficit-based narratives.
The core of the book focuses on a neuro-affirmative approach to assessment, critiquing traditional medical models and emphasizing the need for respectful, inclusive evaluations. This includes addressing intersectionality, cultural competence, gender diversity, trauma, and other factors that impact diagnosis. The authors stress the importance of listening to autistic individuals and supporting their autonomy, though at times, the focus on individual desires seemed to overshadow the challenges of navigating relationships and environments as an autistic person.
The practical guide for conducting neuro-affirmative assessments is one of the book’s strongest sections. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to approach assessments in a way that respects the unique experiences of autistic individuals. The emphasis on post-diagnostic conversations and engaging with an individual’s support network is particularly valuable, though this area could benefit from more practical examples and actionable advice.
That said, the book is not without its drawbacks. It leans heavily on examples and practices from English-speaking countries (e.g., the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia), which may feel less applicable to readers in other contexts. Additionally, autistic individuals who align more with the social model of disability may find the book’s occasional reliance on medical frameworks less appealing.
Overall, The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook is a powerful tool for professionals and a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in autism. Its focus on respect, inclusion, and autonomy is a much-needed shift in the field. While the book’s ambitions sometimes lead to uneven execution, its contribution to advancing a neuro-affirmative approach is undeniable. This is a resource that inspires hope for a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of autism.
The book opens with an introduction where the authors explain their motivations and emphasize the importance of integrating diverse perspectives. They suggest reading the chapters in sequence to fully grasp the material, though as a non-professional reader, I didn’t adhere strictly to this advice.
One standout aspect, which I found both insightful and slightly overemphasized, is the focus on language. The authors advocate for identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”) and encourage professionals to adopt respectful, inclusive terminology. While their arguments are compelling, the emphasis on this topic occasionally felt excessive for readers outside professional settings.
The book excels in providing a deep dive into the history of the neurodiversity movement, exploring how autism has been understood and approached over time. It highlights the often-overlooked voices of autistic individuals and underscores the importance of recognizing autism as a distinct and valid neurotype rather than a disorder. The authors frame autism as a naturally occurring neurological difference, deeply connected to identity, culture, and community, which offers a refreshing shift from deficit-based narratives.
The core of the book focuses on a neuro-affirmative approach to assessment, critiquing traditional medical models and emphasizing the need for respectful, inclusive evaluations. This includes addressing intersectionality, cultural competence, gender diversity, trauma, and other factors that impact diagnosis. The authors stress the importance of listening to autistic individuals and supporting their autonomy, though at times, the focus on individual desires seemed to overshadow the challenges of navigating relationships and environments as an autistic person.
The practical guide for conducting neuro-affirmative assessments is one of the book’s strongest sections. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to approach assessments in a way that respects the unique experiences of autistic individuals. The emphasis on post-diagnostic conversations and engaging with an individual’s support network is particularly valuable, though this area could benefit from more practical examples and actionable advice.
That said, the book is not without its drawbacks. It leans heavily on examples and practices from English-speaking countries (e.g., the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia), which may feel less applicable to readers in other contexts. Additionally, autistic individuals who align more with the social model of disability may find the book’s occasional reliance on medical frameworks less appealing.
Overall, The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook is a powerful tool for professionals and a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in autism. Its focus on respect, inclusion, and autonomy is a much-needed shift in the field. While the book’s ambitions sometimes lead to uneven execution, its contribution to advancing a neuro-affirmative approach is undeniable. This is a resource that inspires hope for a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of autism.
July 5, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
I’m an Autistic person who works as an RBT and is training to become a behavior analyst. I started reading this book mostly for myself, hoping to understand my autism better.
This book is also useful for anyone working with Autistic people. Personally, I disagree with many of the points about ABA. It has been extremely harmful in the past. Today, people working in ABA are educated about self-determination, assent and assent withdrawal, and client dignity. There are still issues with ABA, but for those whose mismatched behaviors interfere with quality of life, ABA can help to improve their QoL, relationships, and self-determination.
As an Autistic person, I enjoyed the neuro-affirmative approach of this book. It was well-researched but could have used more citations. I also like the sections that explain co-occurring conditions.
Sadly, a lot of the goals in this book can’t be applied in practice in the US given insurance requirements. I hope we can move toward this model over the coming years.
I’m an Autistic person who works as an RBT and is training to become a behavior analyst. I started reading this book mostly for myself, hoping to understand my autism better.
This book is also useful for anyone working with Autistic people. Personally, I disagree with many of the points about ABA. It has been extremely harmful in the past. Today, people working in ABA are educated about self-determination, assent and assent withdrawal, and client dignity. There are still issues with ABA, but for those whose mismatched behaviors interfere with quality of life, ABA can help to improve their QoL, relationships, and self-determination.
As an Autistic person, I enjoyed the neuro-affirmative approach of this book. It was well-researched but could have used more citations. I also like the sections that explain co-occurring conditions.
Sadly, a lot of the goals in this book can’t be applied in practice in the US given insurance requirements. I hope we can move toward this model over the coming years.
March 2, 2024
A radical guide to the cutting edge of autism diagnosis and the neurodiversity movement at large. While the ultimate focus is on documenting their approach to assessment and the expected audience is their colleagues in the industry, the first half of this book serves as an excellent overview of the history, neuroscience and current state of autism treatment and diagnosis. The only area I felt there wasn't much insight was around the intersection of class, which is peculiar given the authors are mostly British and Irish (this is a blind spot that's more common with Americans). I fear that their approach is so radical it's barely recognisable by the medical establishment and is an easy target for a culture war backlash, but we'll never get anywhere without bold visions like this that can be worked towards, and it sounds like they are engaged with that work at their practice.
June 16, 2024
While this book is aimed at professionals, I wanted to read it anyway because there aren't that many books on the subject of adult autism. I got my diagnosis this past year as an adult and it was one of the best things to ever happen...back to the book.
This one, though again aimed at professionals, it still had a lot of useful information. The part that really stood out to me was when it talked about the sensory issues such as 'hyper sensitivity' and 'hypo sensitivity'. I ended up highlighting a lot from those sections.
Even though this book isn't aimed towards the general public, it's still one that could be useful to some, especially those who are newly diagnosed because it gives information as to what terminology should be applied.
Overall an excellent book!
This one, though again aimed at professionals, it still had a lot of useful information. The part that really stood out to me was when it talked about the sensory issues such as 'hyper sensitivity' and 'hypo sensitivity'. I ended up highlighting a lot from those sections.
Even though this book isn't aimed towards the general public, it's still one that could be useful to some, especially those who are newly diagnosed because it gives information as to what terminology should be applied.
Overall an excellent book!
December 9, 2023
Written by Autistic People, for Autistic People, for people who love Autistic People, and for autism clinicians. Written respectfully, written with good insights and clear use of language, written with the humanity of both the reader and the author in mind. The first two thirds of the book are for absolutely everyone and the last third of the book is frankly also for everyone.
October 2, 2023
Every one who assesses adults and children for autism should be required to read this book.
February 12, 2024
Extremly happy to find out that I'm neuro-affirmative specialist.
There is no other way
There is no other way
February 12, 2025
Absolutely loved it! Does anyone know books like this but for ADHD (and other neurotypes)? Would greatly appreciate recommendations!
November 23, 2025
Read on my psychologist’s recommendation. A wonderful book; very affirming, supported by the latest research and input from the community. Also has some nice exercises for autistic people.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews