Published on 12, July, 2020
This might be one for the Moderators to look into, but I wonder if others have insight on this.
I've had several conversations recently with professionals dealing with adults on the spectrum who've just spouted the triad of impairments, or who've said its all in the triad of impairments.
With all the literature on theories about autism and various interpretations, and approaches to treatment, I could quite understand professionals looking for the easiest synthesis to hand. But what is to hand? Is it just too easy to read up on the triad and related summaries? Or is there nothing else to hand for professionals to use.
The Triad of Impairments, as far as I can see, is of no more value than for diagnosing children. It has little relevance to the everyday lives and experiences of adults, and is hardly appropriate to helping professionals understand adult needs.
It doesn't explain a lot of issues facing adults.
But just what are the main texts used by professionals? And how useful are these texts for supporting adults?
Hi Longman,
In response to the request for information earlier, our information team responded with the points below.
Diagnosis in adults
Psychologists and psychiatrists vary in the diagnostic tools that they use for diagnosing autism or Asperger syndrome, both in the case of children and adults. The diagnostic method devised by Dr Lorna Wing and Dr Judith Gould, the DISCO, is one that is suitable for use with adults as well as children. This is because it takes a comprehensive look at the person's history, communication patterns, experiences of sensory stimuli, education, employment, friendships and relationships, and all the factors including mental health difficulties/ misdiagnoses that may have arisen on the person's path through life to date. The NAS Lorna Wing Centre trains clinicians in the DISCO method. The method is thorough. It involves interview of the person concerned and a family member who can provide a description of the person's early development and observation.
Training available to professionals of other disciplines
Next month the NAS training department will be launching a new online training and awareness package called Ask Autism. The content is informed by adults with autism spectrum disorders, and most certainly covers sensory matters and autism in adults as well as children. People on the autism spectrum have been involved in the project from the start. The module on understanding autism does not use the term "triad of impairments". You can read about the training programme on www.autism.org.uk/askautism . That page has an email address for enquiries.
Hope that helps.