Autism in Complex Presentations: A Guide to Assessment and Diagnosis

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.

Autism in Complex Presentations 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.

Author Video

The content is also available as a self-paced online training course: https://www.mackeith.co.uk/product/autism-in-complex-presentations-online-course/

Author Appointments

Foreword

Preface

1 Autism in the General Population
Maj-Britt Posserud and Christopher Gillberg

2 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism
Penny Andreou and Inyang Takon

3 Anxiety and Autism
Miriam Bindman, Jeremy Oliver, and Christopher Gillberg

4 Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Autism
Gillian Greville-Harris, Georgina Salzke-Spurr, and Emma Willmott

5 Demand Avoidance and Autism
Glòria Durà-Vilà

6 Selective Mutism and Autism
Kathryn Stevenson and Stephanie Love

7 Language Disorder and Autism
Pam Czerniewska and Abigail Mance

8 Intellectual Disability and Autism
Elisabeth Fernell, Elaine Clark, and Christopher Gillberg

9 Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Autism
Hannah George, Steve Rose, and Fionna Bathgate

10 Vision Impairment and Autism
Naomi Dale, Alison Salt, and Elaine Clark

11 Cerebral Palsy and Autism
Anne Addison, Kim Bates, Katrina Macleod, and Jenefer Sargent

12 Epilepsy and Autism
Hanna Richardson and Francesca Sawer

13 Tic Disorders and Autism
Holan Liang

14 Girls, Women, and Autism
Laura Hull and Will Mandy

15 Gender Diversity and Autism
Kate Cooper, Anna I R van der Miesen, and Meng-Chuan Lai

16 Maltreatment and Autism
Simon Wilkinson, Lucy Sawyer, Claire Davidson-Jamieson, Fiona Turner,
and Helen Minnis

Index