Overview

This full-day workshop aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills needed to detect autistic traits in population groups that tend to go underdiagnosed and under supported due to more internalised presentations.

Despite the growing adoption of neuro-affirming practices in psychology, significant gaps remain in understanding the diverse ways autism presents. Historically, autism research has focused primarily on young Caucasian males, leaving many practitioners unprepared to recognise internalised presentations, which are more common among females, people of colour, and queer individuals. As a result, those most likely to internalise their autistic traits often go undiagnosed or lack appropriate support.

Internalised autistic traits can include hyper-empathy and hypersensitivity, subtle repetitive behaviours and less visible stims, intense perfectionism, social camouflaging, culturally or developmentally appropriate special interests, and autistic shutdowns. Increasing practitioner awareness of these presentations is essential for ensuring early intervention, equitable care, and the right to self-determination for all autistic individuals.

This workshop will equip you with the skills to recognise the vast spectrum of autistic traits and presentations, to develop a more nuanced understanding of internalised presentations of autism, and to challenge the misconception that there is only one way to “look” autistic.

Please note that this is a re-run of the event hosted by the Melbourne Branch in May 2025.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Develop a clear understanding of internalised autistic presentations and their impact on the individual.
• Recognise Pathological Demand Avoidance traits in clients
• Provide appropriate recommendations for PDA clients and tailor their approach accordingly
• Recognise the breadth of DSM-5 TR criteria and be able to apply this to internalised autistic presentations
• Use neuro-affirming language and techniques when screening clients and discussing potential diagnoses.

Presenter(s)

About the presenter(s)

Sandhya Menon is a neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist, with a strong interest in neuro-affirming autistic and ADHD practice. Her primary area of practice is in paediatric psychology, running Onwards and Upwards Psychology online. Sandhya is a Board-Approved Supervisor, and supervises Educational and Developmental Psychology registrars as well as fully registered clinicians around the world. She delivers talks and is a regular speaker at national conferences such as Yellow Ladybugs and Autism from the Inside Out, helping parents, clinicians and schools to understand and meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals better.

Sandhya creates resources to help others operate from the neuro-affirming paradigm, with signature, comprehensive courses on Raising your Autistic Child Authentically and Raising your ADHDer, which offers parents and clinicians alike a way of understanding the neurotype. She is the author of The Brain Forest, a book that introduces neurodiversity and inclusive practice to children, as well as The Rainbow Brain, which talks about the seemingly dialectical pulls of the Autistic/ADHDer brain to represent those who are multiply neurodivergent. Her latest book on energy accounting, My Body’s Power Pack, is due to be released in later 2025.

Notes

Getting to the Venue

Location:
William Angliss Conference Centre
Level 5, Building A
555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Public Transport:
The venue is centrally located and easily accessible via public transport:

• Train: A short 5-minute walk from Southern Cross Station.
• Tram: Routes 30, 35, 86, and 96 stop nearby on La Trobe Street.
• Bus: Several bus routes service the area around Southern Cross Station.

Parking:
Limited street parking is available nearby. Paid parking is also available at:

Wilson Parking – 522 Flinders Lane
Care Park – 500 La Trobe Street
Accessibility:

The venue is wheelchair accessible, with lift access to Level 5.

For further details or directions, visit:
🔗 www.angliss.edu.au/conferencecentre

Registration includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Target Audience

This event is aimed at all psychologists and allied health professionals

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.