Clarifying Complexity: ADHD and Autism Differential Diagnosis

Differentiating between ADHD and Autism is a critical yet challenging task in clinical practice, often complicated by overlapping characteristics and the potential for diagnostic overshadowing. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals working with individuals who might have either, or both, presentations.

Attendees will learn to recognise and navigate the similarities and differences between ADHD and Autism, ensuring that both presentations are thoroughly considered during assessment. The workshop also explores dual presentations of ADHD and Autism, examining how these interact and influence formulation and intervention planning.

This is a highly practical and experiential training, offering opportunities to apply learning to rich case material and practise clinical reasoning skills. The session also addresses how to manage situations where a diagnosis is not indicated, with guidance on how to communicate non-diagnostic outcomes clearly and compassionately to clients. Participants will leave with strengthened diagnostic confidence, practical tools and strategies for effective clinical decision-making.

This workshop will cover working with children, young people and adults.

🧠 Meet the Trainers:

Dr Floriana Reinikis is a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of expertise in working with Autism, ADHD, and Mental Health Conditions across the lifespan. She has an extensive background in NHS CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental Services, where she conducted numerous diagnostic assessments for children and young people, alongside providing post-diagnostic therapeutic support.

Over the past seven years, Dr Reinikis has been the Founder and Director of Oasis Psychological Services, a specialist private practice dedicated to high-quality, neuroaffirming Autism and ADHD assessments and therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents and adults. She has trained extensively in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD and Autism and provides clinical supervision to Clinical Psychologists and other mental health professionals working in these areas.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr Reinikis delivers specialist training for mental health professionals on ADHD and Autism assessment and post-diagnostic support. She has developed a series of comprehensive training programmes designed to support clinicians in building confidence and competence in neurodevelopmental assessment, formulation, and therapeutic practice. Her programmes have been attended by professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, and Allied Health Professionals, from both NHS and independent services across the UK.

Dr Sirja Van Zyl is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years experience of working with children and young people. She has a special interest in the assessment of autism and ADHD. Sirja has worked in NHS mental health services as well as private hospitals and regularly teaches on the doctorate for Clinical Psychologists training programme. She has previously held the position of Pathway Lead in an NHS neurodevelopmental service and is now the Joint Director of Kent Psychologist and the Clinical Lead for the Autism and ADHD assessment team within the service. She is passionate about creating a positive future for autistic children and young people and regularly provides training to health care professionals, schools and parents.