Use of the Thinking Patterns in Autism Profiling Model within a diagnostic assessment service for autism

In this paper, the authors, who are Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapists, discuss the use of the Thinking Patterns in Autism Profiling Model in an autism diagnostic service for children and young people. The early version of this model was designed by Isobel Tollerfield in 2014 and then revised over time and evaluated during her dissertation work for her Master's degree. It has been incorporated into the autism diagnostic assessments conducted and maps the skills and understandings of the child or young person against four quadrants that Isobel and Heather feel encom- pass the key areas of difference in autism. A visual profile is created which enables parents and practitioners to understand what the individual is able to do and then gives ideas and areas to work on. The profile then forms part of the final assessment report given to families and the GP and other relevant professionals. The authors set out the key components of their diagnostic assessment service and show how, over time, they endeavoured to make this more efficient and useful. Data are presented over a six year period from 2013 to 2019 to show the changes in the characteristics of those referred, in waiting lists and in the time taken for the assessment. This paper will be of interest and value to all those engaged in diagnostic assessment and will help them to reflect on their practice and how it might be enhanced.