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. It provides specialized knowledge and practical skills for those assessing intellectual disability in the context of death penalty litigation. The workshop is suitable for both experienced practitioners and those new to Atkins evaluations, offering valuable insights for a range of roles within forensic and legal settings.

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Forensic Psychiatrist
    • Psychiatry Fellow
    • Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
    • Forensic Psychology Graduate Student
    • Psychology Intern
    • Psychology Fellow
    • Attorney representing capital defendants or special populations
    • Social Worker involved in mitigation and sentencing evaluations
    • Mental Health Professional

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner: New to Atkins assessments or psycholegal evaluations; seeking foundational knowledge of relevant case law, diagnostic criteria (DSM, AAIDD), and basic evaluation elements.
    • Intermediate: Some experience with forensic or psycholegal assessments; looking to deepen understanding of psychometric considerations, effort testing, and assessment of adaptive skill deficits.
    • Advanced: Experienced in forensic assessment; aiming to enhance expertise in nuanced psychometric interpretation, complex case law applications, advanced adaptive skill assessment, and effective presentation of findings in reports and testimony.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who attend this training typically work in environments where forensic mental health and legal issues intersect, particularly in settings involving capital or mitigation cases. These environments require collaboration between mental health experts and legal professionals to assess intellectual disability in the context of death penalty litigation. Practice settings are often high-stakes, requiring careful evaluation, documentation, and testimony regarding psycholegal issues with life-or-death consequences. Practitioners may work in correctional facilities, forensic hospitals, court clinics, private practice, academic or training institutions, or as part of legal defense teams.

    • State or federal forensic hospitals
    • Correctional facilities or prison mental health units
    • Court-based forensic evaluation clinics
    • Private forensic psychology or psychiatry practices
    • University or academic medical center training programs
    • Public defender or capital defense teams
    • Social service agencies involved in mitigation and sentencing evaluations
    • Government agencies overseeing competency or mitigation assessments

Presented By

Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP, Board-Certified Clinical and Forensic Psychologist/Private Practice

Mark D. Cunningham, Ph.D., ABPP is a Seattle-based, board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist, researcher, and prolific scholar. His forensic practice is national in scope and he is licensed in 14 states. He has testified extensively in high stakes cases, including insanity defenses involving the differential between delusional disorder and extreme political beliefs. The SPJ model he is presenting was developed in response to these evaluations. Dr. Cunningham’s research, scholarship, and practice have garnered regional, national, and international recognition.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.