Led by Professor Catherine Lord, Distinguished Professor at UCLA’s Semel Institute, pioneering developer of the gold-standard ADOS and ADI-R autism diagnostic tools, and recipient of the International Society for Autism Research’s Lifetime Achievement Award, for an exclusive masterclass on autism assessment and intervention.
About the sessions
This two-part series will provide essential insights into best practices for diagnosis, support planning, and evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of comprehensive autism assessments beyond diagnosis and explore the stepped care model as a strategy to improve access to services. With Professor Lord’s unparalleled expertise spanning four decades and over 300 peer-reviewed publications that have shaped modern autism assessment, this masterclass is a must for clinicians and professionals seeking to enhance their approach to autism care with the latest research and practical frameworks.
Autism assessment and intervention are essential but distinct processes that require different considerations across the lifespan. This series includes two talks; 1. What matters for diagnosis and assessment? 2. What matters for intervention?
The first talk will focus on what a thorough autism assessment should include beyond determining a diagnosis. For young children, this means evaluating developmental progress, co-occurring conditions, and family needs. For older children and adolescents, assessments must address educational planning, social functioning, adaptive skills, and mental health. Adults seeking a first diagnosis often face different challenges, including reconstructing developmental history and navigating identity. We will also explore the ‘stepped care approach’ – a model that streamlines access to specialized evaluations while balancing thoroughness and efficiency – and consider its benefits and limitations.
The second talk will address ‘what matters in intervention’ at different life stages. In early childhood, selecting interventions involves evidence-based strategies that promote communication, social engagement, adaptive skills, and daily living skills. For school-age children and adolescents, effective support must evolve to include academic accommodations, mental health, and self-advocacy. For adults, priorities differ – some seek self-directed support, while others rely on caregivers or service providers to access interventions. We will discuss how the ‘stepped care model’ applies to intervention, ensuring individualized support while considering challenges like resource availability and long-term impact.
Both talks will offer clear, practical frameworks for understanding autism assessment and intervention at different ages, highlighting best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improving access and outcomes.
Learning objectives
Talk 1: What Matters for Diagnosis and Assessment?
1. To identify key components of a comprehensive autism assessment beyond diagnosis at different life stages (early childhood, adolescence, and adulthood).
2. To recognize how assessment priorities shift across development and how they influence support planning.
3. To understand the advantages and limitations of a stepped care approach in autism diagnosis and assessment.
Talk 2: What Matters for Intervention?
1. To understand how intervention priorities differ across early childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
2. To recognize the importance of adaptive skills in intervention at different ages and their role in fostering long-term independence and quality of life.
3. To evaluate the benefits and challenges of a stepped care approach in autism intervention.
How has the understanding and diagnosis of Autism evolved?
Take a look at Autism Diagnosis timeline, which gives an overview of how the understanding and diagnosis of Autism has evolved over time.
About the speaker
Dr. Catherine Lord is a clinical psychologist specializing in autism across the lifespan. She has developed gold-standard diagnostic tools (ADOS, ADI-R, SCQ) and led longitudinal studies spanning 30 years. Her work focuses on improving autism assessment, tracking social and communication changes over time, and advancing large-scale data-sharing initiatives. A member of the National Academy of Medicine and a DSM-5 committee member, she has received numerous honors, including INSAR’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Lord is dedicated to training future clinicians and researchers in autism and has over 300 peer-reviewed publications supported by NIH, Autism Speaks, and the Simons Foundation.