B - 5 The Clinical Utility of Neuropsychological Assessment in Combatting Resource Misappropriation in the Social Media Era: a Case Series

Abstract

Abstract Objective Following the rise in popularity of social media applications such as TikTok, Instagram, and X, young adults are being exposed to more mental health-related content, particularly related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, 30–84% of this content contains inaccurate or misleading information, which may be assimilated into personal accounts of psychological concerns reported to physicians (Borges do Nascimento et al., 2022; Bastiaens et al., 2024). This can contribute to misdiagnosis, resource misallocation, and inappropriate or contraindicated intervention. The present case series emphasizes the utility of neuropsychological assessment in assisting with proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning and intervention. Method This case series covers six patients ranging in age from 18 to 50, five of whom are female, who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation pursuant to self-suspected ASD based on symptom descriptions obtained via popular media. The comprehensive neuropsychological battery included both self-report measures of ASD symptomology (Social Responsiveness Scale) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Results Neuropsychological testing reflects significant discrepancies between subjective and objective measures of ASD symptoms. These objective findings, combined with the patient’s history and objective measures of psychological functioning, support the accurate diagnosis of a variety of mental health disorders while ruling out ASD. Conclusions This case underscores the importance of neuropsychological assessment in providing meaningful and objective diagnostic data to combat a growing public health crisis of young adults overidentifying with ASD symptoms based on information presented online. Neuropsychological intervention is critical in aiding physicians in accurate differential diagnoses, providing psychoeducation and treatment recommendations, and conserving medical resources.