Autism Assessments

Therapod Podcast

Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Dr. Michaela Connolly , senior educational and child psychologist with over 30 years of experience working in disability services. For 15 years, she worked on a multidisciplinary team in a specialist autism service, providing psychological support to autistic children and adults.

Michaela currently works on an interdisciplinary team in a disability service for children and young people.Michaela is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland and the co-author of the book "Making Space for Autism: Strategies for Assessing and Modifying Environments to Meet the Needs of Autistic Individuals

In the Therapod Podcast, Dr Connolly highlights the shift in terminology from "disorder" to "autism assessment" or "autism identification," reflecting a more person-centered and neuro affirmative approach. Dr. Connolly explains that autism assessments involve a multidisciplinary team evaluating communication, social interaction, learning style, sensory processing, routines, and preferences. She emphasizes the importance of considering autistic individuals' perspectives and using a strengths-focused approach. The assessment process can involve various tools, including structured observations and interviews with parents and the individual themselves. Dr. Connolly also notes that some autistic individuals may mask their true communication style during assessments, and that assessments can take several hours to complete. She emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of autism and the importance of considering co-occurring issues and difficulties.

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