About Is This Autism

Drs. Henderson and Wayland wrote their books and created these courses to fill the gap in current conceptualizations of autism. After noticing that autistic people were frequently missed or misdiagnosed, they wrote Is This Autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else and Is This Autism? A companion guide for diagnosing. They initially thought the books would be for clinicians, but as they wrote, it became clear that this understanding was not only crucial for providers but for educators, parents, and anyone else interested in gaining a deeper understanding of autism. They created these courses to provide neurodiversity-affirming education to a wide audience and promote a more inclusive, informed approach to diagnosis and support. 


About Dr. Donna Henderson

Dr. Donna Henderson has been a clinical neuropsychologist for over 30 years. She is passionate about identifying and supporting autistic individuals, particularly those who camouflage, and she is co-author (with Drs. Sarah Wayland and Jamell White) of two books: Is This Autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else and Is This Autism? A companion guide for diagnosing. Dr. Henderson’s professional home is The Stixrud Group in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she provides neuropsychological evaluations and consultations for children, adolescents, and adults who would like to understand themselves better. She is a sought-after lecturer on the less obvious presentations of autism, autistic girls and women, PDA, and on parenting children with complex profiles. She also provides case consultations and neurodiversity-affirmative training for other healthcare professionals. 

CONTACT DR. HENDERSON

drdonnahenderson@gmail.com | 301-565-0534
LINKS

About Dr. Sarah Wayland

Dr. Sarah Wayland is the founder and owner of Guiding Exceptional Parents, where parents of neurodivergent children can get parent coaching and help with neurodivergent care navigation. A research scientist by training, and mother of two neurodivergent young men, she applies the neuroscience of behavior along with practical lived experience to provide neurodiversity-affirmative support, education, and community for parents of neurodivergent children. An internationally recognized speaker, she has presented to teachers, clinicians, parents, and professionals in the Washington DC metro area, across the USA, and internationally.

CONTACT DR. Wayland

wayland@guidingexceptionalparents.com | 301-768-8503
LINKS


Keep Learning with Us! 

Though our understanding of autism has greatly expanded, many autistic individuals are still missed or misdiagnosed. This highly accessible book clarifies many ways that autism can present, particularly in people who camouflage to hide their autistic traits. 

The authors take the reader step by step through the diagnostic criteria, incorporating the latest research as well as quotes from over 100 autistic contributors that bring that research to life. They also describe many aspects of autism that are not included in the current diagnostic criteria, such as autistic strengths and co-occurring disorders. Readers will learn about highly relevant topics, such as different types of empathy, sensory systems that are not well known, neuro-crash and burn out, and relative versus absolute thinking.​

This book provides a deep, current, and neurodiversity-affirmative understanding of the less obvious presentations of autism. It is relevant to all healthcare professionals, educators, family members, autistic individuals, and anyone who is curious about autism. A clinical companion guide, Is This Autism? A Companion Guide for Diagnosing, is available for clinicians who make mental health diagnoses.
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