Autism Missed and Misdiagnosed: Identifying, Understanding and Supporting Diverse Autistic Identities

A professionals' guide to understanding and better identifying diverse autistic presentations, with chapters covering autistic diagnosis in BAME communities, misdiagnosis and the criminal justice system, the issue of misidentifying fabricated or induced illness, and the controversial and overlapping diagnoses of PDA, ODD, ASPD and BPD.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2023
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Autism manifests in a diverse and intricate manner, particularly when it intersects with factors such as class, gender, race, and age. The lack of understanding and misinformation regarding variant and differing presentations often leads to misdiagnosis and the failure of medical, educational, social care, and criminal justice systems to adequately support individuals. This results in inappropriate detention, lack of beneficial therapeutic interventions, false accusations of fabricated or induced illness (FII) against families, extended stays in prison or youth offending institutions, and sadly, a reduced life expectancy for those affected.

To address these challenges, this comprehensive resource is designed to assist multidisciplinary professionals in gaining a deeper understanding, contextualization, and accurate identification of diverse autistic presentations. It provides an overview of the autism diagnostic process, delves into controversial and often confused diagnoses such as PDA, ODD, CD, ASPD, and BPD, discusses best practices for investigating FII, and analyzes the specific challenges of autism diagnosis in relation to women and girls, BAME communities, schools, and the criminal justice system.

By utilizing this resource, professionals can enhance their knowledge and skills in recognizing and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, ensuring that they receive the appropriate care, interventions, and accommodations necessary for their well-being.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839974601