Autism in Context: Differentiating Co-Occurring Neurodivergent Profiles

Do you find it challenging to distinguish autism from overlapping neurodivergent presentations such as ADHD, OCD, and social anxiety?
Are you looking to refine your clinical reasoning and diagnostic formulation in complex cases?
Would you like practical, neuro-affirming tools to enhance the accuracy and confidence of your autism assessments?

This training is designed for psychologists who want to deepen their understanding of co-occurring neurodivergent profiles. The workshop focuses on building diagnostic clarity through a neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based lens, helping clinicians identify when overlapping traits represent autism, a co-occurring condition, or both.

Delivered live via Zoom, this 3-hour training (12:00–15:00 AEDT) combines clinical frameworks, real-world case examples, and guided formulation exercises to strengthen your diagnostic interpretation and reporting.

What You Will Learn

• Core and overlapping diagnostic features of autism, ADHD, OCD, and social anxiety and other common differentials.
• How to differentiate executive function differences (autism vs ADHD).
• Distinguishing repetitive behaviours, rituals, and rigidity (autism vs OCD).
• Understanding social differences, anxiety, and masking (autism vs social anxiety).
• How to assess for co-occurrence rather than misclassification.
• Using developmental history, self-report, and observation tools effectively.
• Communicating differential findings clearly and compassionately in reports and feedback sessions.

Event Details

📍 Delivery: Live via Zoom
🕒 Duration: 4 hours (12:00–16:00 AEDT)
🎥 Recording: A recording will be available to registrants after the event.

Presenter: Shannon Lopez is a Clinical Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor and Principal Clinical Psychologist at Spencer Health. She has a strong interest in child and adolescent therapy, autism and ADHD assessment, and is a neurodiversity-affirming practitioner dedicated to evidence-based, compassionate care. With years of experience supporting children, adolescents and families, Shannon brings practical, real-world insights to these sessions.