“Having spent 43 years on the autism spectrum and over 20 years providing psychological support to neurodiverse people, I am proud to lead the team at Autism Psychology.”
Dr Addie Sutherland MA CPsychol AFBPsS
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST NEURODIVERSITY EXPERT
The autistic psychologist
LIFE ON THE SPECTRUM AS A CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Growing up in a place and time where diversity led to stigma and exclusion, it wasn’t until my adolesence that well-meaning people suggested I may be on the autism spectrum. Through fear, I rejected the notion outright.
A decade later, during clinical psychology training, my supervisor asked if I had Asperger’s Syndrome. I began to consider the possibility.
It took another ten years for me to build the courage to undergo a diagnostic assessment for autism, with one of the UK’s most prominent academic clinicians in autism at the time.
I received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a clinical descriptor of Asperger’s Syndrome. When I work with neurodiverse people, I always remember how I felt going through my own assessment and diagnosis.
Direct experience of the poor level of autism awareness among many neurotypical mental health colleagues (including some of those working in ASD services) drove me to establish a clinical practice based upon the principles of equality, education and compassion.
It is a privilege to work with neurodiverse people and their families, and to support neurotypical people to embrace the kaleidoscope of variety and value that neurodiversity brings to society.
Clinical expertise
DELIVERING ASSESSMENTS AND TREATMENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Standard therapeutic treatments for mental health problems have generally been developed by neurotypical people for neurotypical patients. Usually, these do not have lasting benefit for people on the spectrum, because mental health problems in neurodiverse people develop for different reasons and respond better to adapted strategies.
I was Head of Psychology at one of the UK’s largest secure hospitals for children and adults, Lead Psychologist for Adult Services at a large residential care service for people with autism, and Consultant Clinical Psychologist for various residential schools for children with autism. I was constantly amazed by the lack of education around mental health problems in neurodiversity, despite the ‘specialist’ nature of these services.
I ran an innovative autism diagnostic service for a large National Health Service Trust in the South of England, assessing females with neurodiversity. In this role, my team and I learned from women who had been misunderstood and misdiagnosed. This usually happened because clinicians applied male-derived diagnostic frameworks inflexibly to women. Consideration of the differences in how autism presents in females versus males is crucial. Together, with the help of hundreds of autistic females, my team and I developed new ways of understanding and assessing autism in women and gender diverse people.
Expert witness work
ENHANCING AUTISM AWARENESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR
I have given expert witness testimony in numerous criminal and family court cases involving people with neurodiversity. I have also been involved in parole board hearings and mental health tribunals. Often, the judge is looking for expert opinion on how the person with autism would have reacted to circumstances relevant to the case. “Why did it happen?'“, “Why might it happen again?” and “How can we help avoid a reoccurrance?” are key questions when evaluating criminal and family court cases.
Sometimes I am asked to make recommendations for treatment and support for neurodiverse people before, during and after a trial. I also assist lawyers in holding police and the criminal justice system to account when people with autism have been treated unfairly during their involvement with the law.
I am a firm believer in the role that academic research has to play in improving neurodiversity awareness. I have held several research fellowships and academic awards, spoken at international conferences and been a lecturer on various Clinical Psychology Doctorate and Forensic Masters training courses. I have also peer reviewed submissions to various academic journals including the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, the Journal of Personality and Mental Health, and Behavour and Research Therapy.
I am available to support people with autism who are involved with the law.
Advocacy and human rights
DEMANDING EQUALITY FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM
The most rewarding work that I have done has been to advocate for the rights of people with neurodiversity and their families. Having been a member of management at senior levels within the health and social care industry (NHS and private) I have seen the consequences of profit being prioritised over care quality. Thanks to a potent sense of justice (common to people on the spectrum), I have championed the rights of people too vulnerable to advocate for themselves.
This has resulted in whistleblowing to the police when I became aware of abuse. As a result, families were heard, vulnerable children and adults were made safe, a CEO was arrested and the Care Quality Commission was required to improve its response to concerns being raised.
I became involved in supporting other healthcare professionals who spoke up on behalf of their patients, leading a British Psychological Society response to NHS Policy Consultations on whistleblowing.
I could not have done this without the courageous support of individuals and their families, who had endured years of suffering and shameful treatment by people who were (and are) in positions of influence in the health and social care industry. I have made lifelong friends through this work, and am always humbled by the dignity and selflessness demonstrated by those who stand strong against unethical professionals who profess to know better.
Achieving fulfillment
THRIVING ON THE SPECTRUM
My patients are often surprised to hear that I have had to face similar obstacles to them in the search for fulfillment and wellbeing. Psychologists are not immune to the effects of whatever mental health difficulty or neurodiversity challenge they are facing. This helps me to really understand and empathise with my patients. It also pushes me to find new ways for my patients and I to live positively and with a sense of empowerment in this neurotypical world.
I have found the underwater world to be a blissful respite from the demands of daily life. The opportunity to focus on something completely awe-inspiring keeps me balanced, motivated and recharged. The humbling experience of co-existing with magnificent oceanic creatures reminds me of how precious life is.
It took me many years to find something that completely captured me, bringing me a sense of joy and wonderment. When I’m not ‘in clinic’, I teach scuba diving all over the world, and particularly enjoy helping people with neurodiversity access our vast blue seas. Watching them master new skills and explore marine environments in ways they had never imagined makes my day.
I help dive centres and water sport organisations support neurodiverse students and staff, both on land and underwater. I have found that when diversity is embraced rather than inhibited, all parties benefit.
“When I was diagnosed with ASD I got more depressed and worried. I didn’t think I could go to university or get a job. I started working with Addie and learned how to use my ASD strengths. He inspired me, and now I’m inspiring others with autism.”
— Ms F, AUTISM PSYCHOLOGY CLIENT
