Mind Matters

Dr. Donna Henderson joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the changes in the assessment process for autism, the importance of empowering therapists to diagnose autism, and the need for equity in masking. Their conversation also explores the double empathy problem and the challenges of balancing unmasking with the needs of neurodiverse individuals in educational settings. They also discuss the PDA profile and its place within the autism spectrum. That’s all waiting for you on episode 216. Takeaways The assessment process for autism is evolving, with a shift towards understanding subjective experience rather than relying solely on test scores. Therapists are adapting by relying less on formal tests and more on interview skills and understanding inner subjective experiences. Empowering therapists to diagnose autism is important for identifying and supporting individuals who may have been missed in the past. Masking and camouflaging are complex behaviors that can have both benefits and drawbacks, and i