Stop Assessing in Silos: A Better Way to Understand Autistic Individuals

You’re Seeing the Whole Child… Now What?

Last week, we talked about why autism assessments must look at the whole child — not just test scores, deficits, or isolated skill areas.

If you haven’t read that yet, start there. Because this week builds on it.

Seeing the whole child is the first step.

But then comes the deeper question:

Are we building on the right foundation?

You can write holistic reports.

You can identify strengths and stressors.

You can move beyond comparison to neurotypical norms.

And still feel stuck.

Why?

Because even when we try to be holistic, we often work in silos.

Speech looks at communication.

OT looks at sensory and motor.

Teachers look at cognition.

Psychologists look at executive functioning.

Each lens matters.

But autistic individuals don’t experience their brains in separate categories.

If self-awareness isn’t solid, social skills won’t stick.

If sensory regulation isn’t supported, receptive language may look inconsistent.

If the nervous system is overwhelmed, executive functioning will collapse.

That’s not a deficit.

That’s a foundation issue.

In this week’s conversation, Susan and Staci talk about how our Neuro-Strengths-Based Assessments help professionals across disciplines understand:

When we understand where an autistic individual truly is, we stop pushing skills prematurely.

We meet them there.

🎥 Watch the full conversation below..

If you’re curious how traditional assessments may be missing these foundations, join our free webinar HERE.

And if you’re ready to fully shift how you assess and support autistic individuals, join the course waitlist HERE!

Understanding comes first.

Support becomes clearer after that.

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