The Coventry Grid for Adults

Background: The Coventry Grid (Moran, 2010; 2015) was devised to assist clinicians in understanding the differences between the behaviour of children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and those with significant attachment... [ view full abstract ]

Background: The Coventry Grid (Moran, 2010; 2015) was devised to assist clinicians in understanding the differences between the behaviour of children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and those with significant attachment problems. The lack of an equivalent tool for aiding differential formulation and diagnosis in adults with ASCs or complex trauma (CT) has meant that the Coventry Grid is frequently turned to by clinicians in adult services.

Rationale: As a tool designed for understanding difficulties in children, the original Coventry Grid’s applicability to adults is limited. Given the similarities that are often seen between ASCs and CT, and the very negative impact on individuals of misdiagnosis of either condition, there was a need to develop a tool which is relevant for adults.

Main points: This paper summarises the work of an international, multi-disciplinary collaboration of clinicians working in adult autism, learning disability, and personality disorder services to develop a Coventry Grid for Adults (CG-A). Like the original grid, the CG-A is built from research, clinical observations and experience and has developed through consensus into a working document to which other experts will be invited to contribute. The CG-A adapts the original grid by including presentations which are qualitatively different in adults, as well as providing adult-specific examples of particular behaviours. It also incorporates new sections, including descriptions of behaviour in sexual relationships.

Conclusion: The CG-A is a valuable resource at a time of increasing awareness of the need to provide better understanding and services for adults with ASCs and CT.