Autistic-Informed, Autism Assessment: An Advanced Training Series and Consultation Offering for Licensed Providers
My training series and consultation offerings *center* the experiences of autistic people, NOT the view of autistic people through a neuro-normative lens.
The assessment training series shares insight into assessment with people of all ages, and in all stages of self-knowledge or self-identification, including children, adolescents, and adults, as well as templates and information on building an ethical and affirming assessment process.
The assessment consultation package provides continued consultation and 1:1 support for practitioners in designing and implementing new assessment services in their practice or organization, and/or adapt existing assessment services to reflect more autistic-informed practices. (Click here to jump to assessment consultation package information)
The basic premise of autistic-informed autism assessment is that we *actively seek out the perspectives of autistic people and we listen*. This means we accept that our "gold standards" need to change.
CLINICAL INTEGRITY AND AUTISTIC-AFFIRMING PRACTICES CAN CO-EXIST!
Assessment Training Series
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Currently, I offer two pathways in this workshop training series. Both workshop pathways will cover considerations for neuro-affirming practice in all parts of assessment including assessment structure, selection of instruments, intake processes, evaluation interviews, reports and recommendations, as well as delivery of evaluation outcomes and feedback sessions.
Both pathways will also offer considerations for provider access needs and sustainable practices for autistic/multiply neurodivergent providers.
The series aims to help clinicians design an assessment process that is aligned with their practice values and goals, as well as the access needs of their clients and themselves as providers and people.
From identifying personal and practice values, to choosing assessment measures and tools, to formatting the assessment process, to writing and sharing evaluation feedback and diagnostic reports - this training offers participants all of the “what, why, when, how” involved in building my own assessment process and services, how they have adapted over time, and shares the resources, forms, and report templates I have built along my way.
Participants receive access to workshops (live or recorded), diagnostic report templates, example EHR forms, option to continue with individualized consultation, and opportunity to connect with peer support through private Facebook group. Participants can also opt to be included in my growing list of providers from across the United States - to connect with folks seeing affirming, autistic informed assessment, as well as with other value aligned providers for community building, resource sharing, and peer support.
PATHWAY 1: BUILDING AN AUTISTIC-INFORMED ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN YOUR PRACTICE
This advanced workshop series is designed for licensed masters level clinicians and licensed clinical psychologists who are interested in building an autistic-informed, neuro-affirming autism assessment process into their practice or organization.
This workshop series is a total of 8 hours, structured as four 2-hour sessions. This pathway is a good fit for LCSWs, LPCs, and LCPs who are new to formal diagnostic assessment processes, and/or are looking for support in building an assessment process that aligns with their values and access needs in their practice or organization.
This pathway is offered in both live cohort or recording only formats.
Click here to register for the next cohort!
Workshop Series Dates (recordings also provided):
Tuesday, January 21st, 10am-12pm EST
Tuesday, February 4th, 10am-12pm EST
Tuesday, February 18th, 10am- 12pm EST
Tuesday, March 4th, 10am- 12pm EST
PATHWAY 2: INTEGRATING AUTISTIC-INFORMED PRACTICE INTO YOUR EXISTING ASSESSMENT PROCESS
This advanced workshop series is designed for licensed psychologists and clinicians who are already providing assessment services, and are interested in building neuro-affirming practices into their existing assessment process.
This workshop series is a total of 4 hours, structured as two 2-hour sessions. This pathway is a good fit for clinicians who are actively practicing autism assessment.
This pathway is offered in a live cohort format only.
Click here to register for next training dates!
Tuesday, January 21st, 1-3pm EST
Tuesday, February 18th, 1-3pm EST
PATHWAY 1: BUILDING AN AUTISTIC-INFORMED ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN YOUR PRACTICE
Autistic-Informed, Autism Assessment: Individual or Small-Group, Advanced Training Series for Licensed Providers
This is an advanced training series focused on a trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming approach to diagnostic assessment of Autism with people of all ages that centers lived experiences of autistic, neurodivergent & LGBTQ+ clients and providers.
This series *centers* the experiences of autistic people, NOT the view of autistic people through a neuro-normative lens. The workshop will share insight into assessment with people of all ages, and in all stages of self-knowledge or self-identification, including children, adolescents, and adults.
The series aims to help clinicians design an assessment process that is aligned with their practice values and goals, as well as the access needs of their clients and themselves as providers and people.
From identifying practice values, to choosing assessment measures and tools, to formatting the assessment process, to writing and sharing evaluation feedback and diagnostic reports - this training offers participants all of the “what, why, when, how” involved in building my own assessment process and services, how they have adapted over time, and shares the resources, forms, and report templates I have built along my way.
Areas of focus for workshop series include:
balancing clinical integrity of diagnosis with exploring ways for assessment process to be more accurate, affirming, and inclusive of intersectional identities of gender, race, ethnicity, and disability, as well as “giftedness”/2e folks, and differential diagnosis with folks with history of trauma, and/or co-occurring mental illness
critical reflection of ableism within systems and medical model of disability, and what a paradigm shift means for all parts of assessment process
challenging stereotypes about autism that have led to generations of missed and misdiagnosis of People of Global Majority (PGM)/Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and Women, Girls, Queer, Transgender, Non-binary and Gender Non-Conforming folks
understanding normative development for autistic people, and learning non-pathologizing ways of conceptualizing, identifying, and describing the diversity of autistic experiences
Assessment Consultation Packages provide continued consultation and 1:1 support for practitioners in designing and implementing new assessment services in their practice or organization, and/or adapt existing assessment services to reflect more autistic-informed practices. After the workshop series, individualized consultation may be available.
Pathway 1 - LIVE VIRTUAL OPTION - Small Group Cohorts
NEXT COHORT IS MONDAYS IN SEPTEMBER 2024!! (Please note - space in live cohorts is very limited for Rachel’s accessibility, and spots tend to fill quickly! )
Included with the live small group training offering:
Four 2-hour live zoom sessions in a small group setting (typically 6-10), with recordings available for 2 weeks after each session.
Access to my templates for full diagnostic reports, informed consent process, communication and scheduling.
Access to private Facebook group for connecting with peer support/consultation/resources/referrals.
Option to be included in our directory of providers (shared with our waitlist, and with new folks seeking assessment).
Option to continue individualized training and support in designing and implementing an ethical and affirming assessment process through 1:1 consultation with The Properties of Light’s Trampoline Project (subject to availability).
LIVE SMALL GROUP TRAINING INVESTMENT
Cost for live small group training offering:
The total cost for the workshop is $1,000, or 4 payments of $250 (per session).
As of April 1, 2024, each cohort has at least 2 equity spots available to BIPOC/PGM clinicians at no cost. (Additional spots may be available based on mutual aid funding).
Pathway 1 is NOW ALSO AVAILABLE ON DEMAND!!
The recorded training offering is an opportunity to explore this training content independently, and at your own pace. There are NO live meetings included with this offering (though individualized consultation is available at sliding scale rates following completion of training series).
Included with the recording training offering:
- 5 hours of recorded sessions, available for a period of 6 weeks.
- Access to my templates for full diagnostic reports, informed consent process, communication and scheduling.
- Access to private Facebook group for connecting with peer support/consultation/resources/referrals.
- Option to be included in our directory of providers (shared with our waitlist, and with new folks seeking assessment).
- Option to continue individualized training and support in designing and implementing an ethical and affirming assessment process through 1:1 consultation with The Properties of Light’s Trampoline Project (subject to availability).
Investment in Recorded Training Series
(Includes access to templates for full diagnostic reports, informed consent process, communication, and scheduling.)
**NOTE: The development and evolution of this training series, which includes the continuous quest for increased accessibility for ND/Disabled/LGTBQIA+/BIPOC folks, has been possible only because of the investment of community.
Providers who chose to invest in autism assessment workshops, trainings, and consultation with me from 2021-2024, folks who purchased books through our bookshop affiliate link, contributed to our lending library, and/or generously contributed to our mutual aid fund - all those in community who are leveraging their personal and professional powers and redistributing their resources to help dismantle barriers to inclusive, intersectional, and affirming autism assessment - are making this possible.
equitable rate: $800
Please consider choosing the equitable rate ($800) if:
Your fee for service rate exceeds $125, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment above $1,000.
You have the option of full or partial reimbursement for professional development
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
Your practice is fee for service/self-pay only
You have access to paid time off
sustainable rate: $600
Please consider choosing the sustainable rate ($600) if:
Your practice provides 25-50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your fee for service rate exceeds $100, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or above $800.
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
accessible rate: $400
Please consider choosing the accessible rate ($400) if:
Your practice provides at least 50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your fee for service rate is below $75, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or below $600.
Your practice centers the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color/People of Global Majority clients and communities, and more than 50% of clients served are BIPOC/PGM.
You experience the systemic barriers of the helping professions including BIPOC/PGM, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or disabled clinicians.
Assessment Consultation Package
The Assessment Consultation Package offers continued individualized consultation and support in designing and implementing an ethical and affirming assessment process through 1:1 consultation with The Properties of Light’s Trampoline Project.
Included with Assessment Consultation Package:
4 one hour individual consultation sessions
Individualized learning plan designed to help you build competence and confidence in offering autism assessment
We are also open to learning what type of support/consultation combination would be the best fit for you, and creating customized packages!
(For example, additional opportunities for review/feedback on recorded evaluation interviews, written reports, etc)
.
Investment in Assessment Consultation Package
equitable rate: $1,000
Please consider choosing the equitable rate ($1,000) if:
Your fee for service rate exceeds $150, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment above $1,000.
You have the option of full or partial reimbursement for professional development
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
Your practice is fee for service/self-pay only
You have access to paid time off
sustainable rate: $800
Please consider choosing the sustainable rate ($800) if:
Your practice provides 25-50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your fee for service rate exceeds $125, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or above $800.
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
accessible rate: $600
Please consider choosing the accessible rate ($600) if:
Your practice provides at least 50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your hourly clinical rate is below $75, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or below $600.
Your practice centers the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color/People of Global Majority clients and communities, and more than 50% of clients served are BIPOC/PGM.
You experience the systemic barriers of the helping professions including BIPOC/PGM, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or disabled clinicians.
NOTE: As of April 1, 2024, there are consultation packages spots available to BIPOC/PGM clinicians at no cost.
Single individual consultation sessions may also be scheduled at the following rates using the guidelines listed above (subject to availability):
Equitable: $150/hr
Sustainable: $125/hr
Accessible: $75/hr
PATHWAY 2: INTEGRATING AUTISTIC-INFORMED PRACTICE INTO YOUR EXISTING ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Live Small Group Training Series
Included with the live small group training offering:
Two 2-hour live zoom sessions in a small group setting (typically 6-10), with recordings available for 2 weeks after each session.
Access to my templates for affirming reframes and language for reports, informed consent process, communication and scheduling.
Access to private Facebook group for connecting with peer support/consultation/resources/referrals.
Option to be included in our directory of providers (shared with our waitlist, and with new folks seeking assessment).
Option to continue individualized training and support in designing and implementing an ethical and affirming assessment process through 1:1 consultation with The Properties of Light’s Trampoline Project (subject to availability).
LIVE SMALL GROUP TRAINING INVESTMENT
Cost for live small group training offering:
The total cost for the workshop is $500, or 2 payments of $250 (per session).
As of April 1, 2024, each cohort has at least 2 equity spots available to BIPOC/PGM clinicians at no cost. (Additional spots may be available based on mutual aid funding).
Assessment Consultation Package
The Assessment Consultation Package offers continued individualized consultation and support in designing and implementing an ethical and affirming assessment process through 1:1 consultation with The Properties of Light’s Trampoline Project.
Included with Assessment Consultation Package:
Two 60 minute individual consultation sessions
Review/Feedback on up to 2 written evaluation reports
We are also open to learning what type of support/consultation combination would be the best fit for you, and creating customized packages!
(For example, additional opportunities for review/feedback on recorded evaluation interviews may be available)
.
Investment in Assessment Consultation Package
equitable rate: $1,000
Please consider choosing the equitable rate ($1,000) if:
Your fee for service rate exceeds $150, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment above $1,000.
You have the option of full or partial reimbursement for professional development
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
Your practice is fee for service/self-pay only
You have access to paid time off
sustainable rate: $800
Please consider choosing the sustainable rate ($800) if:
Your practice provides 25-50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your fee for service rate exceeds $125, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or above $800.
You are an allistic clinician (perhaps neurodivergent, but not autistic)
You hold other privileged social identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, size)
accessible rate: $600
Please consider choosing the accessible rate ($600) if:
Your practice provides at least 50% of services at sliding scale/low-cost rates
Your hourly clinical rate is below $75, and/or you intend to set your fees for assessment at or below $600.
Your practice centers the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color/People of Global Majority clients and communities, and more than 50% of clients served are BIPOC/PGM.
You experience the systemic barriers of the helping professions including BIPOC/PGM, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or disabled clinicians.
Single individual consultation sessions may also be scheduled at the following rates using the guidelines listed above (subject to availability):
Equitable: $150/hr
Sustainable: $125/hr
Accessible: $75/hr
NOTE: As of April 1, 2024, there are 1-2 consultation package openings per month available to BIPOC/PGM clinicians at no cost.
Important Note: My goal in offering this training IS NOT to build an exclusive, commercialized training program.
My goal is to offer all that I have experienced, learned, and built to increase accessibility of affirming assessment for autistic folks of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and abilities by increasing the number of knowledgeable providers doing this work in inclusive and affirming ways in communities everywhere.
My hope is for a world where no one has to choose between a pathologizing, harmful, and/or gaslighting evaluation process and validation + access to supports for themselves or their loved one.
My hope is for a world where no one has to wait months to years for an appointment to explore their questions about autistic experience with someone who listens with cultural humility.
My hope is for a world where people of all genders, races, ethnicities, disabilities, sizes, and neurotypes are able to work with a clinician that shares their identities and/or experiences if they choose to.
And my hope is for a world where clinicians of all genders, races, ethnicities, disabilities, sizes, and neurotypes have access to the training and resources needed to develop their own autonomous assessment process that allows both clinician and client to show up authentically.
This training was born of my own struggle with community needs that far exceed my capacities, recognition of the unique internal and external challenges and resources that have brought me to this place, and the common barriers that I found were preventing other clinicians from offering autism assessment services.
So this training is an invitation and opportunity for providers to join me in resistance of the status quo, and an offer of support for clinicians who are already leaning into neurodiversity-affirming practice and finding that much of their previous training and experience is wrought with ableism and unintentional harm.
This training is also an invitation and opportunity for autistic and neurodivergent providers to join me in building visibility and belonging in “professional” spaces where autistic people often experience othering and alienation.