Diagnostic assessments for adults
While we focus on older children, teens, and adults, our team is trained to work with individuals across the lifespan. This includes early detection in toddlers along the continuum to adulthood.
Is an autism or ADHD assessment right for me?
Here are some common reasons why adults pursue an assessment:
- Another professional has suggested you look into autism or ADHD testing
- You’ve always sensed something was different about your development or life experiences, and/or have felt misunderstood, and seek self-understanding
- You have read a lot about neurodiversity and relate to it, and wonder if a diagnosis fits for you
- Your child was assessed/diagnosed, and you recognized signs in yourself and would like to explore this further
- Communication or other issues have gotten in the way at work or in relationships, and you would like an assessment to learn more about yourself and potential strategies that could be helpful
- Perhaps you had an assessment when you were younger and you would like a re-evaluation to get more clarification or address additional questions
Why do it?
- Learn more about how your brain works
- Get an official diagnosis to qualify for services or accommodations at school or work
- You self-identify as neurodivergent but want a formal diagnosis by a psychologist
- You want to know if there are more specific strategies that you can use in school, at work, or in relationships
- Validation, self-understanding, and framework for you and family members to work from
What is the process of testing?
Intake
An assessment starts with an initial intake meeting. During the intake, we review your reasons for seeking the assessment, your specific goals, and primary concerns. The clinician will also ask you for background information, like family and medical history. At the end of the intake, we collaboratively discuss a game plan for the rest of the assessment.
Testing
This typically involves the ‘gold standard’ measures for autism and/or ADHD, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)/ Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum – Second Edition (MIGDAS-2.) Depending on whether you want to involve others, we interview family members or your other providers to learn more about you. We always discuss this with you and individualize the plan to meet your needs.
Feedback & summary
Usually about 2 weeks after we complete testing, we meet go over the results, clinical impressions, and recommendations and next steps together. We will review a written outline of your results together. We believe that the assessment process itself can be therapeutic. It can help explain your experience and provide a framework for you to better understand yourself and for others to understand you. It can lead to “ah-ha!” moments, provide validation, and facilitate insight. Some people describe this as a big relief. But having specific recommendations for next steps is also an integral part of the process, and we want to make sure you have a plan in place once the assessment is complete.
Comprehensive written report
We provide you with a comprehensive report after your assessment, elaborating on the outline and recommendations we reviewed during the feedback meeting. The report is given to you, and it’s up to you who you’d like to share it with.
Don’t need a comprehensive evaluation?
We now offer autism-specific assessments for adults. These assessments are designed to be more targeted, streamlined, and personalized to your needs. Contact us to learn more about your options.