Abigail Mance – författare

Autism in Complex Presentations: A Guide to Assessment and DiagnosisThis book raises awareness of the importance of recognising and supporting autism with co-occurring conditions. Autism in Complex Presentations brings together international clinicians and researchers with expertise across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions to provide an evidence-based practical guide on autism assessment. It covers conditions where autism may be hard to recognise and where there are challenges around selecting, administering, and interpreting standard assessments for autism and making diagnoses. Each chapter has an easily accessible case vignette to bring the theory into practice and seeks to share the voices and experience of a young person and their family. There is focus on the challenges experienced in accessing and navigating the assessment process and how an autism diagnosis may have helped with support.This book will be relevant to clinicians including Paediatricians, Paediatric Neurologists, Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Paediatric Neuropsychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Specialist Nurses, Educational Psychologists, and students. It is not written specifically for people affected by autism, although they may be interested to read the book in its entirety or specific chapters.

Autism does not always present in clear or typical ways, especially when accompanied by other neurodevelopmental or medical conditions. Autism in Complex Presentations brings together an international team of clinicians and researchers to provide a practical, evidence-based guide to the assessment and recognition of autism in such contexts. Chapters explore the challenges professionals face when standard tools fall short: when autism is difficult to identify, when co-occurring conditions obscure the picture, and when diagnostic clarity is crucial for appropriate support. The book explores a range of key topics such as demand avoidance, selective mutism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy and vision impairment. Each chapter includes a clinical vignette to bridge theory and practice, alongside insights from young people and their families to highlight the lived experience of navigating complex assessment journeys. Designed for professionals working in paediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and education, this book offers guidance for those involved in recognizing and supporting autism across a wide range of clinical settings. While not specifically written for families, its content may also be of interest to parents, carers, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of autism in its more complex forms.