Wondering If You’re Autistic? Here’s Where to Start
Wondering If You’re Autistic? Here’s Where to Start
If you’ve ever searched “Am I autistic?”, you’re not alone. Many adults begin exploring the possibility of autism later in life—often after years of feeling different, misunderstood, or exhausted by masking. It can be a lot to sift through, and it can be challenging to know what information is accurate. As a psychologist who specializes in adult autism evaluations, I want to create this blog post as a starting point for those who are exploring neurodivergence and wondering if it makes sense to pursue an evaluation.
Why Autism Often Goes Undiagnosed Until Adulthood
Autism can look very different across individuals. People who are social, verbal, sensitive, or intelligent may not “fit” outdated stereotypes of autism. Many adults—especially women, nonbinary people, and those with co-occurring ADHD or anxiety—are missed as children.
Many late-diagnosed autistic people have been labeled:
- Gifted
- Intense
- Shy
- Awkward
- Anxious
- Overthinking
- Perfectionist
- Too sensitive
Only later do they realize that these were signs of being autistic all along.
Common Signs of Autism in Adults
Here are some of the most frequently reported traits of late-identified autistic individuals:
- Difficulty with unspoken social rules
- Sensory overwhelm (sound, light, textures)
- Intense, all-consuming interests or deep dives
- Emotional regulation difficulties or shutdowns
- A strong need for routine, predictability, or control
- High empathy or emotional sensitivity
- A lifelong sense of being “different” or out of sync
- History of masking or people-pleasing to survive socially
- You deeply relate to content created by neurodivergent people
If you resonate with this list, it’s worth exploring further.
Do I Need an Autism Evaluation?
You may benefit from a professional autism assessment if:
- You experience social burnout or sensory overwhelm
- You’ve been misdiagnosed or misunderstood in therapy
- You want validation or language to advocate for your needs
- You’re curious about accommodations at work or school
What Happens During an Autism Evaluation?
As a small psychology practice, we approach adult autism evaluations in a neurodiversity-affirming, collaborative way. The process includes:
- A detailed clinical interview and developmental history
- Self-report measures that look at autistic traits
- PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) screening
- Optional inclusion of ADHD or cognitive screening
- An emphasis on understanding your lived experience—not just checking diagnostic boxes
We see clients in both traditional office-setting appointments or through telehealth depending on their proximity to the office and their preference.
The goal of an evaluation is to understand yourself with more clarity and compassion.
Download: Free Self-Reflection Guide
Still undecided? Here is a free guide to help you reflect on your experiences in a low-pressure, affirming way.
Get your free copy of “Could I Be Autistic? A Neurodiversity-Affirming Self-Reflection Guide” here
Related Resources
- Understanding Masking: How to Support Authentic Self Expression
- Assessing Autism in High Masking Adults for Accuracy
- Could You Have PDA? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Are you Ready to Move Forward?
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis or just starting to explore, your curiosity is valid—and you deserve support that meets your needs. We offer autism evaluations for adults, teens, and children, grounded in professionalism, warmth, and respect for neurodivergent experiences.
Contact us today to learn more about the evaluation process or to schedule an appointment.
Need Professional Support?
Dr. Jessica Myszak, Dr. Jaime Long, and Dr. Aimee Rovane have significant experience performing psychological evaluations with children and adults. They offer both in-person and telehealth evaluations for children, teens, and adults looking for answers. In addition to seeing clients on the Chicago North Shore, they are able to work with families who reside in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming! Dr. Long is also now available to see clients in New York and California. If you are interested in learning more about potentially working with them, you can visit their website here to get the process started.