This one-day introductory workshop is designed to support early career psychologists, allied health professionals, and clinicians involved in assessment to develop a more neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and child-specific approach to autism assessment (no one-size-fits-all!)
The workshop explores how to move beyond surface-level and check box observations and build a deeper understanding of how children experience, communicate, regulate, and adapt within the world around them, including children whose presentations may be more internalised, subtle, or high-masking.
Participants will be introduced to practical, real-world approaches to conducting affirming autism assessments, including:
- Integrating multiple sources of information into a meaningful clinical formulation
- Understanding sensory processing, regulation, and environmental influences
- Recognising high-masking and internalised presentations
- Exploring the child’s lived experience alongside observable behaviours
- Using assessment tools thoughtfully and flexibly, rather than rigidly
The training includes discussion around commonly used assessment tools and their clinical application, including:
- The ADOS-2 and understanding its strengths and (many) limitations
- The MIGDAS-2 as a strengths-based and sensory-informed assessment approach
- Additional measures relating to adaptive functioning, executive functioning, attention, and behavioural profiles and how to integrate them all.
- Differentials and conflicting school information
- How does daily functioning fit?
- Signs of Masking
A strong focus is placed on creating affirming assessment environments that reduce performance pressure and support authentic engagement for the child and parent.
This includes:
- Practical ways to structure the assessment space to support comfort and regulation
- Building rapport and flexibility into the structured assessment processes
- Supporting children in ways that feel safe, respectful, and developmentally appropriate
The workshop also explores clinical interpretation and formulation beyond scores and checklists.
Interactive learning components include:
- Video-based observation examples of two autism assessments
- Case study examples of both more observable and high-masking/internalised presentations
- Guided clinical discussion to support the interpretation and identification of subtle indicators
- Exploration of the differences between external presentation and internal experience
You can participate in a way that suits you – camera on or off; ask questions or don’t, or watch in your own time without having to sit in for the entire day.
This workshop is particularly suited to:
- Early career psychologists
- Allied health clinicians involved in assessment
- Clinicians wanting greater confidence in affirming autism assessment
- Professionals seeking a more neurodiversity-affirming approach to practice
Participants will hopefully leave with:
- A clearer and more confident framework for paediatric autism assessment
- Practical strategies that can be implemented immediately
- A deeper understanding of less visible presentations
- Tools to support more meaningful and individualised assessments
- Report templates, checklists, and assessment guidelines to support clinical practice
DATE: Friday 25th September 2026
TIME: 9am – 4pm Online
COST: $850.00
(reduced costs for students available – please enquire)
Book online via the link below
$250.00 deposit, with the rest due 30 days prior or pay in full