Adult Autism Evaluations

Autism has become better understood and identified in children over the years, but there are many, many adults whose families and educators were unaware of this diagnosis when they were children. After years of feeling that something was different, many adults come to learn about autism after meeting friends who are familiar with ASD or having a relative diagnosed. Getting a good adult autism evaluation can be tricky for several reasons, but it can be really important for people to help them understand themselves and be able to better navigate the social world. We recognize that autistic adults who have not previously been diagnosed typically do not look “stereotypical” with obvious symptoms. Frequently, these individuals may be overlooked, not taken seriously, and unrecognized, even by many mental health professionals who do not specialize in this type of assessment. We are aware of the different ways that autism can present in girls and women, and some of her testing focuses on their experience of “camouflaging” their symptoms and their internal experiences involving socialization. We are familiar with the concepts of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which many families have found and identify with.

We complete many evaluations with adults who have wondered about autism but not received a diagnosis before—many have gotten other diagnoses along the way, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Often, but not always, their intuition about whether they are on the spectrum is correct. Either way, We aim to help provide some guidance and support/recommendations.

An Adult Autism Evaluation Consists of:

The client completes several online measures prior to the appointment, which look at symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, masking/camoflauging symptoms, and a personality measure. These help identify the types of difficulties a person is experiencing, how they manage these difficulties in their daily life, and other factors that may be at play
A 2 hour (typically virtual) appointment for a diagnostic evaluation to learn more about the client’s current and historical functioning and how they experience sensory and social events
If it is possible, we then complete phone interviews with the client’s parents to learn more about their early developmental history and sometimes other individuals (current therapist, spouse, etc.) to learn more about how their brain differences affect their relationships and daily functioning
With all of that information, we score a commonly used rating scale that assesses symptoms of ASD in individuals, and also compares symptoms to the diagnostic criteria to determine a diagnosis.
A written report of results
A feedback session over zoom, which includes an explanation of results, with recommendations and next steps for suggested follow-up. The goal is that by the end of this process, the individual has a clear understanding of their strengths and needs

This process works very well, and there are no difficulties completing this evaluation over telehealth (as long as you have a good internet connection).

GET IN TOUCH

If you are looking for services for yourself or your child, send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

For most, the rate for an autism evaluation is $1,800. The total cost includes all sessions, a report of results and recommendations, and a feedback session to explain results and answer any questions that you may have. For additional concerns or needs, we can address these needs for an additional cost at our hourly rate. To add additional testing to assess for ADHD, the evaluation cost is $2100. To assess for ADHD and assess for cognitive and memory strengths and weaknesses, the evaluation cost is $2400. Older teens may need to include more extensive information from parents and other contacts (teachers, therapists, more extensive record review), and additional charges apply.

Affirming Practice Info:

As a psychology practice, we are deeply committed to neurodiversity affirmation and strive to create a safe and inclusive space for individuals seeking support, particularly within the autistic adult community. Understanding the unique challenges faced by females, LGBTQIA folks, and other high-masking individuals who identify with autism is at the core of our practice. When conducting evaluations, we take great care to ensure that these personality traits are adequately addressed and accounted for. Your experience and perspective matter to us, and our aim is to provide you with an evaluation that truly reflects your individual strengths, challenges, and needs. It is important to note that the results of your evaluation are strictly confidential and will only be shared with you, which is a significant benefit of receiving a private pay psychological evaluation. We look forward to supporting you on your journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

We get many questions about whether getting an autism evaluation is “worth it” for people. Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring forth a multitude of benefits, both in tangible ways when sharing the information with others, and internally, in terms of better understanding oneself. First, an autism diagnosis provides individuals with a clearer understanding of their unique strengths, challenges, and needs. It can serve as a roadmap to self-discovery, enabling individuals to embrace their neurodivergent identity and develop effective strategies for self-care and self-advocacy. These benefits can also be found through self-diagnosis, though many of our clients feel that they need the evaluation and documentation to feel “right” about going farther down the path of seeking accommodations. Furthermore, sharing the diagnosis with trusted individuals, such as family, friends, or employers, can foster greater understanding, empathy, and support. This can lead to more meaningful and authentic relationships, accommodations that enhance overall well-being and success, and a sense of belonging within communities. Even if a diagnosis remains private, the personal insight gained through the diagnostic process can be incredibly empowering, validating one’s experiences and providing a framework for self-acceptance, self-compassion, and personal growth. Ultimately, an autism diagnosis can be a powerful tool in navigating the world with confidence and embracing one’s authentic self.