4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Atkins Evaluations: Procedures, Psychometrics, and Recommendations is presented by Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP, in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

Atkins assessments are the only psycholegal issue where the diagnosis is dispositive. The associated diagnostic findings are a matter of life and death. Psychometric and assessment sophistication in conducting and interpreting the evaluation are essential. 

This all-level workshop is directed toward fostering these skills. Instruction includes case law, evolutions in diagnostic criteria, primary evaluation elements, psychometric considerations, effort testing, nature and assessment of adaptive skill deficits, etiology and onset, and presentation of findings in reports and testimony. These are illustrated with case examples.

The program is intended for forensic psychologists conducting or contemplating Atkins assessments. Other interested audiences include forensic psychologists, more broadly; forensic psychiatrists and fellows; clinical and forensic psychology graduate students, interns, and fellows; attorneys representing capital defendants or special populations; and social workers conducting mitigation and sentencing evaluations. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe how diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability have evolved in recent editions of DSM and AAIDD
  • 2 Describe five sources/procedures in Atkins assessments
  • 3 Describe three psychometric considerations in interpreting IQ scores
  • 4 Describe six considerations in assessing adaptive skill deficits

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals involved in forensic mental health and legal proceedings related to capital or mitigation cases, with a primary focus on conducting Atkins assessments and evaluating intellectual disability in the context of death penalty litigation. It is suitable for those specializing in forensic assessment and provides valuable knowledge and practical skills for a range of roles within forensic and legal settings.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic psychologists (including those conducting or considering Atkins assessments)
    • Forensic psychiatrists and psychiatry fellows
    • Clinical and forensic psychology graduate students, interns, and fellows
    • Attorneys representing capital defendants or special populations
    • Social workers involved in mitigation and sentencing evaluations
    • Mental health professionals

  • Experience Level

    This all-level CE training is designed to support mental health professionals at varying stages of experience in conducting and interpreting Atkins assessments in forensic contexts.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to Atkins assessments or psycholegal evaluations and seek foundational knowledge of diagnostic criteria, case law, and basic evaluation elements.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with forensic or psycholegal assessments and aim to deepen their understanding of psychometric considerations, adaptive skill assessment, and effective report writing for Atkins cases.

    • Advanced: Participants are experienced forensic evaluators seeking to refine their expertise in complex diagnostic issues, advanced psychometric analysis, and nuanced testimony related to Atkins assessments.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practice in high-stakes forensic and legal environments at the interface of mental health and capital litigation, where court-ordered evaluations, mitigation investigations, and expert testimony are routine. Work occurs in secure, procedurally regulated settings that demand rigorous psychometric assessment, meticulous documentation, and clear communication of findings, as Atkins determinations can be dispositive and life-or-death.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Correctional facilities and death-row units
    • State forensic hospitals and secure evaluation units
    • Court-affiliated forensic clinics and pretrial services
    • Capital defense and mitigation offices/teams
    • Private forensic assessment practices and expert consultation services
    • Academic medical centers and university-based forensic programs
Presented By

Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP

Mark D. Cunningham, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Seattle-based, board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist, researcher, and prolific scholar, authoring more than 60 publications that have been cited an aggregate of 1800+ times in the scholarly literature, as well as by SCOTUS (Moore v. Texas, 2017) and in amici briefs. He is routinely engaged to provide peer-review for scientific journals in criminology, criminal justice, forensic psychology, and professional psychology, with Publons ranking his peer reviewer activity at the 97th percentile. Dr. Cunningham’s forensic practice is national in scope and he is licensed in 12 states. He has been involved in 60+ Atkins determinations and has several publications on this topic. He has provided more than 100 scholarly symposium, workshops, CE, and CLE presentations at regional and national conferences.

Dr. Cunningham’s research and practice have garnered regional, national, and international recognition. These include: the 2021 American Academy of Forensic Psychology Award for Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychology; the 2019 American Correctional Association Peter P. Lejins Research Award; a 2017 commendation by the international John Maddox Prize committee; the 2012 National Register of Health Service Psychologists A. M. Wellner, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award; the 2006 American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research in Public Policy; the 2005 Texas Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science; and 2006 election as a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 41, Psychology-Law Society). While serving as a naval officer and clinical psychologist at the Naval Submarine Medical Center early in his career, Dr. Cunningham was decorated with a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

Dr. Cunningham earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at Oklahoma State University and did his clinical psychology internship at the National Naval Medical Center. He completed a two-year NIMH-sponsored post-doctoral program at Yale University School of Medicine and was honored as the outstanding trainee.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Recent evolutions in diagnostic criteria
    DSM
    AAIDD

  • Case law

  • Evaluation elements

  • Psychometric considerations
    Standard error of measurement
    Other sources of error
    Norm obsolescence
    Test specific factors

  • Effort assessment

  • Assessment of Adaptive Skill Deficits
    Conceptualizations and cautions
    Adaptive skill scales
    Interviewing for anecdotal detail

  • Etiology and onset

  • Reports and testimony
    Findings based on Atkins reports
    Powerpoint slides in Atkins's testimony

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.