Detailed needs assessment

Patients with more complex presentations that include autism may require more detailed assessments involving a multidisciplinary approach. This chapter covers a range of measures that are used in clinical practice and in randomized controlled treatment trials in adults, which add more detailed information. These may be helpful in planning for the interventions described in subsequent chapters. Advanced diagnostic approaches will be considered, which call upon neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, social work, occupational therapy, and the use of quality of life approaches. More detailed assessments should consider an assessment of risk to self and others sufficient to develop a risk management plan where appropriate.