Understanding Autism: A Visual Tool
About this ebook
Autism diagnoses are dramatically increasing. Many clinicians who are untrained in working specifically with autistic people may find themselves in situations where they need to interpret an autism diagnosis for clients, or prepare clients who are seeking an assessment.
Understanding Autism is a practical, session-ready tool designed to help clinicians communicate clearly and compassionately about autism with clients and their families. This 20-page flip chart features client-facing pages with simple visuals and key concepts, paired with clinician-facing pages offering prompts, facts, and deeper explanations.
Topics Include:
- diagnostic criteria
- the neurodiversity perspective
- sensory processing
- co-occurring conditions
- affirming therapeutic approaches
Created for professionals in counseling, social work, psychology, and occupational therapy, it empowers therapists to deliver strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming psychoeducation. Understanding Autism helps foster understanding, self-awareness, and agency—making it an indispensable guide for clinicians supporting autistic individuals and their families.
About the author
Sean M. Inderbitzen, DSW, LCSW, is an autist psychotherapist and researcher through the Mayo Clinic Health System, and the author of Autism in Polyvagal Terms (Norton, 2024). He regularly trains healthcare professionals to be more confident when working with people on the spectrum. He is a clinical advisor to two of the ten Autism Centers of Excellence, on projects at Stanford University and Drexel University.
