Description:
OPD Points: 5
This talk highlights the need to understand neurodevelopmental conditions as comprising overlapping signs and root causes. Such an understanding will improve the clinical assessment and therapeutic service provision to individuals on the autism spectrum.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
There is growing evidence of substantial overlap between neurodevelopmental conditions (such as the autisms, ADHD, learning disabilities, motor dysfunction, tics, epilepsy, and related concerns). However, the trend in clinical practice has been to categorize and diagnose individual conditions, and to focus on these to the exclusion of others. This has been at the expense of unveiling and intervening on all co-morbid concerns.The current talk, in addition to elaborating on the clinical presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, also raises awareness around closely associated neurodevelopmental conditions with ASD, under the umbrella of ‘ESSENCE’ (Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations). This talk unpacks these concepts and highlights the need to understand neurodevelopmental conditions as comprising overlapping signs and root causes. Such an understanding will improve the clinical assessment and therapeutic service provision to individuals on the autism spectrum.
Presenter / Provider:
Ben Truter
Presenter Qualifications:
Founder and Clinical Lead at Neurodiversity Centre. Currently, the MDT consists of a clinical team of approximately 30 Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Developmental Paediatrics, Paediatric Neurology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work and Education Professions; as well as an additional support and administration team. Research Fellow, Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, Stellenbosch University, and currently completing a PhD through Gothenburg University, Sweden. License-holder and primary trainer for training clinicians in the use of the Diagnostic Interview in Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) for Sub-Saharan Africa under license from Dr Judith Gould. Part-time lecturer, Clinical Psychology programme, University of Cape Town Board Member: Neurodiversity Foundation; and CPD trainer to other clinicians
