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Biography
Dr. Marschall has been a licensed psychologist since 2016, having completed her pre-doctoral internship through the National Psychology Training Consortium (Central Region) and her post-doctoral residency at Family Psychological Center, PA, in Harrison, Arkansas.
She currently owns a private practice, RMH-Therapy, where she provides therapy primarily to children and adolescents and psychological evaluations. Her clinical specializations include trauma-informed care, neurodiversity-affirming care, rural mental health, and Tele-mental health. She currently holds an active PSYPACT license, which allows her to see clients in 40+ states via Telehealth.
Dr. Marschall is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD individual and is passionate about providing affirming care for her patients.
Education
Doctoral degree in clinical psychology: University of Hartford, 2015
Certifications
Area of Expertise
I incorporate evidence-based interventions as well as a client-centered approach to therapy that empowers YOU to be in charge of your treatment. My practice is trauma-informed, which means that I recognize the prevalence of trauma in the general population and take steps to create a comfortable environment that feels safe and empowering for all clients.I believe each client is the expert on themselves.
As a psychologist, I can offer insight into symptoms and mental health diagnoses, but no one knows you and your experience better than you.In addition, my psychology practice emphasizes social justice, cultural competence, and LGBTQ+ affirming care.
Modalities
Affiliations
Research and Publications
Sensory Processing Disorder in Adults: What It Feels Like
Let’s say you’re taking a walk, enjoying the bright sunshine and fresh air, when suddenly, a loud, smelly garbage truck speeds by. For most neurotypical people, it’s just a brief hiccup in their otherwise peaceful stroll.
But for adults with sensory processing disorder—or the more affirming, sensory processing differences—the truck’s fleeting noise and stench can cause sensory overload, thus destroying whatever pleasure they might’ve been getting from their morning walk.
Sensory processing disorder presents a tricky situation for adults, because while it is a very real condition, it is not a formal diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5-TR). But this grey area doesn’t diminish how difficult and potentially isolating sensory overwhelm can be as an adult.
In this article, we’ll explain what sensory processing disorder is, why it’s not a formal diagnosis, how it can present in adults, how it relates to autism, and what supports exist for those who experience sensory overload.
Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults? A Clear, Supportive Guide
Like many other people diagnosed with autism as an adult, Christal was first misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression as a child. “Although I feel anxious, it’s more of a neurodivergent overwhelm, and although some symptoms are similar to depression, I often cycle through neurodivergent burnout,” she explains.
As an adult, Christal became a clinical psychologist who focuses on adult autism evaluation, which led her to recognize the signs of adult autism in herself. “I was very cautious about who and where I went for an assessment because, being in the field, I know that it is a specialized training and many adults are incorrectly diagnosed,” she says. She chose a clinical psychologist to conduct her assessment, based on a recommendation from a trusted colleague and was officially diagnosed with autism earlier this year, at age 30.
So, with so many clinicians getting it wrong, who is best qualified to diagnose autism in adults?
According to Kelly Whaling, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and research lead at Prosper Health: Clinical, counseling, school, or clinical neuropsychologists with PhD and PsyD degrees are the best choice for autism diagnosis because psychological assessment is the core of their training.
“They spend years learning case conceptualization, how to use and interpret assessment tools properly, differential diagnosis, integrating multiple data sources, and more unique skills,” Whaling explains. “Even with autism-specific training, you need those foundational assessment skills.”
And that’s just the beginning. To help you choose a clinician that’s right for you, here’s a clear, neurodivergent-affirming guide to which providers are qualified, what qualifications matter, how to vet a clinician, and how to navigate the diagnostic process.
Understanding 'High-Functioning' Autism: Traits and Misconceptions
As our understanding of the autism spectrum evolves, so does the language associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). And that language matters.
Right before my daughter was diagnosed with ASD, I felt like everyone around me was using the phrase “high-functioning autism” to describe her relatively moderate support needs. It also seemed to confirm why it took several years to receive an autism diagnosis at all. I soon learned, however, that describing someone with “high-functioning autism” was not only incorrect but harmful.
For starters, “high-functioning autism” isn’t even a clinical diagnosis, though the term is pervasive enough that some people may mistake it for one.
What the best-intentioned people usually mean when they say “high-functioning” is Level 1 or low support needs, which often refers to someone who needs circumstantial support with social communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior and interests (RRB).
Specifically, that can mean help with managing the need for sameness, recognizing neurotypical social functioning and cues, and managing sensory sensitivities. Autistic people who are Level 1 may also engage in masking, which can make someone seem to have fewer support needs than what is actually sustainable.
Nasiyah Isra-Ul (they/she) is an autistic professional and disability advocate who believes that the once-prevalent “high-functioning autism” label prevented them from receiving the support they needed throughout their childhood and young adulthood. It could also explain why they received a late autism diagnosis as an adult.
If you’re curious about signs of high-functioning autism in adults, you’re in the right place! But we won’t be using that problematic term, and neither should you. In this article, we’ll explain why the term is outdated, what people actually mean by it, and what the most common autistic traits look like for adults with Level 1 autism support needs or who mask heavily.
