Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
A useful framework for approaching this vital step in a patient's journey
Overview
The assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders has historically been a highly specialized process, often led by multi-disciplinary teams conducting expert evaluations. While this ‘gold-standard’ approach promotes diagnostic excellence, over-emphasis on this method risks excluding young people across the globe who do not have access to specialist assessment.
In this presentation, we will consider what we know in 2025 about conducting high quality, robust assessments of Autism for young people in settings where our access to the ‘gold standard’ is limited. We will explore how we as clinicians can understand and grow our knowledge and skillset to promote excellent clinical practice and robust, reliable assessment across settings. Additionally, we will consider how we can learn from young people and their families to improve assessment and diagnosis process not just for clinical accuracy, but for the experience of those we are walking with through the process.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
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Explain the barriers to traditional, gold-standard autism assessments.
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Outline the clinical, logistical and ethical challenges of conducting autism assessments in resource limited settings.
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Describe the key components of robust autism assessments.
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Identify strategies that can improve the practice of assessment and diagnosis for young people and their families.
Curriculum
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Introduction
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Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
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Conclusion
About this course
- $25.00
- 0.75 hours of video content
Faculty Instructor
Jessica Stubbing, D. Clin Psych
Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Cambridge Health Alliance; Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Jess Stubbing is a child and adolescent psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance, working in the neurodevelopment clinic and child and adolescent outpatient teams. She specializes in two areas: assessment, and clinical work with young people with multiple diagnoses – particularly young people who are both neurodiverse and experiencing a mental health challenge.
Jess completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. She went on to complete her clinical internship at Starship children’s hospital. Jess has won awards for her advocacy work in New Zealand, which focused on advocating to strengthen the youth mental health system for and with young people to better meet the needs of youth. She first touched down in the USA in 2019 for a Fulbright fellowship at Harvard University focused on youth suicide prevention and went on to complete her postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Living in CT before returning to Massachusetts.
Jess is also an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and a researcher, whose work focuses on how we can improve our clinical practice for neurodiverse youth and those experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors through collaborative work grounded in the lived experiences of young people and their families.
Continuing Education
Psychologists: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 0.75 continuing education credits.
Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 0.75 contact hours. Social workers from other states should check with their individual board to confirm credit reciprocity with NY.
Counselors: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 0.75 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 0.75 credits.