Continuing Education Training
What people are saying:
“This was the best presenter PAR has had. Extremely organized, well-developed presentation, easy to follow, with multiple examples of concepts. I look forward to more trainings with Dr. Woods.”
“Really excellent work—full of facts and heart.”
“Impactful webinar. The presenter is very knowledgeable, and her delivery is very inspiring.”
“Best presenter on this topic I have ever had. Was well-researched AND appreciated the inclusion of lived experience and take-away resources”
Autism, ADHD, or AuDHD: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy in Complex Cases Across the Lifespan
With growing awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions, more people than ever are seeking out assessments to explore autism and ADHD across the lifespan (Lang, 2024). Getting a diagnosis can be life-changing, with some people describing it as the most important event in their lives (Arnold et al., 2020). Missing a diagnosis can have serious consequences like loss of opportunities and poorer mental health (French & Cassidy, 2026; Holden et al., 2025). The stakes are high and there is a lot of pressure to get it right. Sometimes the diagnostic conclusion is straightforward. But in many situations, clinicians encounter confusing data, overlapping traits, and discrepant reports, which can make them struggle with decision-making. When autism and ADHD co-occur (sometimes referred to as AuDHD), the case can be particularly murky.
This workshop uses case examples to provide decision-making guidance for the real world. Building on research and clinical insight you will dive into live case discussion of people across the lifespan and you will be supported in thinking through complex cases in the moment. In addition to research evidence and clinical knowledge, you will learn from interviews with people with firsthand experience of autism and ADHD, including Dr. Steven Kapp, an Autistic researcher who has been cited over 15000 times, Dr. Lucas Harrington, Autistic psychologist and consultant, and Zack Siddeek, MSW, Autistic social worker and community organizer.
We will discuss recommended tools and review various types of results, including the trickier kind that often do not get included in textbooks and manuals. Research-informed guidance will be offered for selecting and interpreting tools. Live discussion will be used to work through complex issues as they come up. We will explore ways to take a collaborative approach with clients and families while also valuing clinical expertise. This workshop covers a variety of complex cases from toddlerhood through late adulthood. We will answer questions like:
– How do you decide if autism or ADHD are present when trauma is part of the picture?
– How do we balance recognizing strengths with providing the type of evidence needed to access support?
– What should we do if the data from collateral sources does not line up with other findings?
– How should we handle it when a client or parent’s perception does not mesh with our conclusions?
– How does the concept of masking fit into evidence-based assessment?
– How does socio-economic status affect the experience of autism and ADHD?
– What do social media depictions have to do with real-world clinical cases?
You will receive helpful tools that you can start using right away, as well as time set aside for Q and A with Dr. Woods so you can get personalized feedback for your specific situations. You will walk away with a new perspective and increased confidence and effectiveness for supporting clients with complex presentations across the lifespan.
Differential Diagnosis: Autism or Something Else?
People are interested in exploring autism across the lifespan, but what if it’s something else or more than one thing? Dr. Woods is offering a training with 3 APA CE Credits to help clinicians differentiate autism, ADHD, AuDHD, anxiety, and Bipolar across the lifespan! It includes up-to-date research and first-person perspectives from people like Gabe Howard! Questions? Email drsara@discoverpsychservices.com. Sign up now! $99 for Clinicians and $59 for students.
Sign up to watch the recording here:
AuDHD
Everyone’s talking about AuDHD in the community, but clinicians need to catch up! Dr. Woods partnered with PAR, Inc (Psychological Assessment Resources) and offered a FREE One-hour APA-accredited CE course on AuDHD on March 20, 2026! Watch the recording and get CE credits here: Event Summary - AuDHD Across the Lifespan: Integrating Research, Community Perspectives, and Clinical Practice - Psychological Assessment Resources, Incorporated!
Email Dr. Woods with questions here: drsara@discoverpsychservices.com. Approximately 2000 people registered! One person said, ““Please expand on your work and offer more presentations on this very important and much-needed topic!”
Dr. Woods is listening! More on this topic coming soon!
Dr. Woods has previously offered continuing education training for the Global Autism Interactive Network, PAR, Inc., Pearson, Rutgers, University of Washington Autism Center, Westcoast Children’s Clinic, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Northwest Therapy Group, United General District 304, Slalom Consulting and more! Reach out for more information: drsara@discoverpsychservices.com
Whether your group consists of just 10 people or over 1000, Dr. Woods can help!
Consultation, Training, and Collaboration
Consultation
Dr. Woods is available to consult with individual providers, clinics, hospitals, and organizations worldwide to support them in providing accurate assessments. Dr. Woods can contract with organizations within Washington state to complete the assessment herself remotely while collaborating with local staff. Given the considerable overlap in diagnostic categories, it is often difficult to make a diangosis with certainty especially in cases where medical or social factors complicate the picture. Dr. Woods can provide support in helping providers think through cases and provide research to clarify questions. She can also provide support in exploring next steps for further investigation (e.g., ideas for gathering collateral information and effective assessment tools and questionnaires to consider). Dr. Woods can also support providers in effectively communciating results.
Training
Dr. Woods is available to provide webinars and online workshops for medical professionals, students, teachers, corrections staff, and companies. Dr. Woods can tailor her training to the needs of individual organizations. Topics in which Dr. Woods has specialized experience and expertise include understanding autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, incorporating strengths into assessment procedures across the lifespan, conducting remote psychological assessments, understanding and reducing racism, interpreting the results of psychological assessments, differential diagnosis of autism and other conditions, and talking to children about complex topics including autism, racism, and mental illness.
Collaboration
Dr. Woods is interested in collaborating on research and clinical projects that involve enhancing our understanding of autism, supporting the neurodiversity paradigm, promoting racial equity, increasing services and support for people with psychosis, improving strategies for differential diagnosis, media literacy, and incorporating creative practices into psychological work. Please reach out with questions and ideas!