Elisabeth Thurlow

An expert in the autism field, Dr. Thurlow brings to Brain Spectrum Neuropsychology over 25 years of experience as a clinical psychologist. She is widely sought out for her Gold Standard diagnostic evaluations of Autism Spectrum Disorder, which combine her clinical insight with her admiration and respect for human diversity. She is also certified in evidence-based treatment modalities that work best for people who are on the autism spectrum. Dr. Thurlow views neurodiversity as a natural and valuable expression of humankind. At the same time, she recognizes that being neurodivergent can be challenging, especially when it comes to navigating a world in which neurodivergence is often misunderstood. Dr. Thurlow brings a level of awareness and sensitivity to the unique needs of neurodivergent patients which enriches and elevates Brain Spectrum Neuropsychology’s strengths-based assessment approach. As an undergraduate at UCLA, Dr. Thurlow worked closely with Professor Andrew Comrey, developer of the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS), and this experience sparked her interest in the underlying factors that make up the core of human personality. She then went on to obtain her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Alliant International University, where she specialized in adult and family clinical psychology and completed an intensive clerkship in psychological assessment and diagnosis. Following her graduate studies, Dr. Thurlow completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in child neuropsychological assessment at Johns Hopkins Medical School, where she not only honed her diagnostic skills, but also broadened her knowledge of genetics, cognitive functioning, learning, and developmental disorders. Dr. Thurlow’s career has been multifaceted. She has worked in a variety of settings including university clinics, college counseling centers, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. For seven years, Dr. Thurlow was on staff at the University of Miami’s Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic (UM-ASAC), which is considered to be a center of excellence for the diagnosis of autism throughout the lifespan. It was during her work at ASAC that she developed an interest in adult presentations of autism, with a particular focus on the diagnosis of adolescent girls and women. Dr. Thurlow has also been an adjunct professor of psychology at both Southern Methodist University and the University of Miami. Furthermore, she has trained and supervised numerous graduate students, which has been one of her most rewarding professional roles. Indeed, Dr. Thurlow believes that shaping new minds and hearts is the most important gift she can offer the next generation of psychologists. Although accurate diagnosis is an important prerequisite to tailoring an effective individualized treatment, Dr. Thurlow believes that no person can be fully understood through diagnosis alone. Moreover, she embraces uniqueness as a gift rather than an encumbrance. After all, as Dr. Seuss sagely put asked, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” At Brain Spectrum Neuropsychology she evaluates individuals who may be showing signs of neurodivergence in an effort to personalize and enhance wellbeing.