Formal Adult Autism Assessment and Diagnosis

Formal adult autism assessment and diagnosis is often sought for better self-understanding, self-compassion, and self-actualization, increased empathy and understanding from loved-ones, community-building and belonging, and pursuit of accommodations.

In my work as a psychotherapist, I have found that many of my adult clients want a thorough autism assessment and diagnosis for less-obvious autism by a qualified, neurodiversity-affirmative professional. Unfortunately, most professionals offering this are booked out for months and cost more than most of my clients can afford. I have been both personally and professionally drawn to learn as much as I can about autism and have meticulously studied how to deliver formal autism assessment and diagnosis of less-obvious autism —hoping to meet this clear need.

I am qualified to provide a formal autism assessment and diagnosis as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This assessment is based off the work of Donna Henderson, PsyD, Sarah Wayland, PhD, and Janell White, PhD, LCSW-C and their books, Is This Autism?: A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else, and Is This Autism?: A Companion Guide for Diagnosis.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), unfortunately, will only accept diagnoses from licensed psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and certified pediatricians to receive state benefits at this time. If you are not intending to apply for state benefits, my diagnosis will be accepted by most universities and workplaces to receive support and  accommodations. In the case of my current, potentially autistic clients, they are most interested in knowing whether they experience this neurotype so that they can move through life with better self-understanding and self-compassion. This knowledge helps inform our psychotherapy work together so that we are working with, and not against, their nervous systems.

This adult Autism assessment consists of:

Collecting background information

  • Comprehensive developmental interview with adult who is familiar with early development (ideally a primary caregiver who was present since client’s birth). ~2hrs

  • Interview with person whom knows client well (ideally someone who spends time with client at least twice weekly)  ~1.5-2hrs

  • Personal interview with client ~1.5-2hrs

Record review

Any relevant records that may provide some insight into client’s behavioral, emotional, functional, physical, or psychological experiences (i.e. prior diagnoses, report cards or educational evaluations and/or assessments, notes from treatment professionals, etc.)

Rating scales and self-report measures ~2-4hrs

  • Directly addressing autistic traits: SRS-2, RAADS-R, CAT-Q

  • Executive functioning measures: BRIEF-A

Clinician report scoring, interpretation, and written summary and report development

Feedback session and report ~1.5-2 hrs

  • All above results summarized in a comprehensive report and presented to the client and any other relevant parties

  • Recommendations for supporting areas of client concern

Payment Options

·      One payment of $1300

·      Two payments of $675

·      Weekly payments of $175 for eight weeks

·      *Option to opt out of comprehensive measures, adaptive function scales, executive functioning measures, and emotional/personality measures (this will be a less comprehensive assessment and report and may result in less certainty in diagnosis but these can be added on later if more information is necessary in order to make diagnosis)

-One payment of $900

-Two payments of $475

-Weekly payments of $125 for eight weeks

·      If needed, the assessment can span over a longer time period and offer greater flexibility with payments