Clients are increasingly interested in autism assessment across the lifespan, but how can we ensure that we are being neurodiversity-affirming while still being accurate and research-based? Many clients come in expecting to be diagnosed with autism (or expecting to see their child diagnosed), but how can we make sure we get it right? Although many clinicians choose to specialize in autism, the significant overlap with other diagnoses necessitates a comprehensive approach. Despite increased attention to autism in recent years, misdiagnosis is still common, with some suggesting that as many as 1 in 3 Autistic adults is misdiagnosed (Kentrou et al., 2024). While Bipolar is estimated to affect about 3% of the population (NIMH, n.d.), many clinicians lack confidence in assigning the diagnosis. Many clients have to wait 5 to 10 years before receiving an accurate Bipolar diagnosis (Fritz et al., 2017). This results in delays in treatment that can affect clients’ jobs, families, and even their survival. Many autistic children experience anxiety, but anxiety itself can also sometimes mimic autistic traits so careful assessment is needed to figure out how to best describe them. While autism and ADHD used to be considered mutually exclusive, we now know that they can co-occur and they can also look like one another so clinicians need solid tools to help them determine if it is autism, ADHD, or AuDHD all while applying the neurodiversity paradigm (Walker, 2021). This is complex and important work. These realities underscore the need for a comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming, developmentally informed, and differential diagnostic approach.

Clinicians are invited to participate in this training to learn differential diagnosis skills in order to learn how to accurately identify autism in children, adolescents, and adults while also exploring other possible diagnoses. Using case examples of autism and ADHD in childhood, autism and anxiety in adolescence, and autism and Bipolar in adulthood, we will learn effective strategies for differentiating one condition from another. We will also explore strategies for communicating results in a strengths-based and accurate way. Combining up-to-date research with first person perspectives of Autistic people and people with lived experience of ADHD, anxiety, and Bipolar, we will gain an accurate understanding of multiple neurodivergent experiences beyond diagnostic checklists. The training will include interviews with Bipolar advocate Gabe Howard and Autistic advocates Ivanova Smith, BA, Lucas Harrington, PsyD, and Zack Siddeek, MSW. Since focusing on strengths provides a more comprehensive and accurate understanding (Woods and Estes, 2023), practical strategies for discovering strengths across various populations will be included. Tools for maintaining a collaborative relationship with our clients while still prioritizing diagnostic accuracy will also be emphasized (Woods et al., 2025). Strategies for managing feedbacks with clients and families who were expecting something different than your conclusions will also be offered. In addition to case examples, you will receive helpful tools that you can start using right away, as well as time set aside for Q and A so you can get personalized feedback for your specific situations.

Presented by Sara Woods, PhD

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This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 3.0 CEs for Psychologists, 3.0 IL CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers, 3.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, or 3.0 NBCC Clock Hours.

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TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT: 

https://tcsppofficeofce.com/may_15_2026/