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Biography
Lisa Hensley, PhD, is a clinical psychologist licensed in Texas and PSYPACT-certified to practice in multiple states. She is also an AASECT-certified sex therapist. She was born in Oklahoma, but has called Texas her home since 1995. She currently works for Prosper Health, where she provides assessments for adults who wonder whether they might be autistic.
Education
Ph.D., University of Alabama
M.S., University of Alabama
Certifications
Area of Expertise
Dr. Hensley specializes in neurodivergence, gender, and sexuality.
Modalities
Affiliations
Research and Publications
Neurodivergent vs. Autism: Understanding the Relationship and When to Seek Evaluation
“Neurodivergent” and “autistic” often get swapped for one another, in social captions, casual conversations, and sometimes even in settings where you might think people would know better.
Using the terms loosely isn't always a big deal. But it can matter more when you’re trying to figure out what these terms mean for you, especially if you’re wondering whether you might be autistic.
This is because the two terms really aren’t interchangeable, even though the mix-up can be common. Here’s how “neurodivergent” and “autism” relate, why the confusion happens in the first place, and what a next step might look like if you're seeking diagnosis.
