Autistic adults' perspectives and experiences of diagnostic assessments that include play across the lifespan.

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dc.creatorPritchard-Rowe, Emma
dc.creatorde Lemos, Carmen
dc.creatorHoward, Katie
dc.creatorGibson, Jenny
dc.date2024-12-19T17:41:31Z
dc.date2025-01
dc.date2024-12-19T17:41:29Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-08-03T01:43:22Z
dc.descriptionPeer reviewed: True
dc.descriptionFunder: LEGO Foundation; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/100018325
dc.descriptionFunder: Cambridge Trust; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100003343
dc.descriptionPlay is often included in autism diagnostic assessments. These assessments tend to focus on negatives and how people who are not autistic interpret observable behaviours. It is important to take a neurodiversity-affirmative assessment approach. This involves focusing on what autistic people say and looking at strengths and needs. We wanted to find out how autistic adults experience diagnostic assessments that include play. We asked autistic and non-autistic people to help us design our study and interview questions. We then interviewed 22 autistic adults to find out what they think about the use of play in assessments. We used a qualitative method called interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyse the data. Autistic adults told us about the different ways play was included in their diagnostic assessments. For example, some completed a diagnostic tool called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Autistic adults also talked about the importance of considering how autistic people are different to each other. For example, we found that play may not be useful for assessing women or girls who mask. This suggests that professionals should adopt a personalised approach to diagnostic assessments that use play catering to each person's needs. Our findings also suggested that professionals should assess strengths and differences as well as needs.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.formattext/xml
dc.identifier1362-3613
dc.identifier10.1177_13623613241257601
dc.identifierhttps://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/377809
dc.identifier1461-7005
dc.identifier.urihttps://repo.dare.co.zw/handle/123456789/158473
dc.languageen
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherSAGE Publications
dc.publisherhttps://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241257601
dc.subjectassessment
dc.subjectautism
dc.subjectautistic perspectives
dc.subjectdiagnosis
dc.subjectneurodiversity
dc.subjectplay
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectAutistic Disorder
dc.subjectPlay and Playthings
dc.subjectYoung Adult
dc.subjectQualitative Research
dc.subjectAdolescent
dc.titleAutistic adults' perspectives and experiences of diagnostic assessments that include play across the lifespan.
dc.typeArticle

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