ADHD & Autism Assessments

Online for adults in NY, IA, PA, GA & all PsyPact states

Neurodiversity-Affirming Evaluations by a Neurodivergent Psychologist

ADHD and Autism assessments are helpful for…

  • Understanding the specific, unique needs of your brain

  • Validation that your challenges and needs are real

  • Increased self-compassion

  • Communicating needs to loved ones

  • Confirming a diagnosis

  • Providing documentation so that you can receive the best treatment for your needs

Wondering if You are Neurodivergent?

The fast-paced, busy, modern world that rewards the hustle/grind culture can be constantly overwhelming. An Assessment can help determine how much of your experience is internal or external so you can best know how to move forward with feeling better quickly.

Do you think you are ADHD?

Perhaps you experience some of the following:

  • Impulsivity and risk-taking

  • Trouble paying attention

  • Difficulty with multitasking

  • Forgetfulness and misplacing items

  • Disorganized

  • Struggling with time management

  • Easily distracted

  • Restlessness and impatience

  • Excessive talking/interrupting others

  • Trouble focusing or paying attention to small details

  • Low frustration tolerance

  • Excessive daydreaming

Do you think you may be autistic?

Perhaps you resonate with some of these characteristics:

  • Sensory overload (overstimulated by certain sounds/touch/smells/sights/texture/taste)

  • Repetitive behaviors or thoughts (stimming for self-soothing)

  • Decreased need for social interaction (increased need for solitude)

  • Deep diving into your special interest areas

  • “Masking” your thoughts, feelings, needs in order to blend in with the demands of your current social situation

  • Feeling attached to routines/plans and feeling upset with sudden, unexpected changes

  • Writing may be your preferred form of communication (allows more time to think it through)

  • Eye contact may feel intense

  • Finding small talk and socializing with others you don’t know well to be energetically draining/exhausting

  • Feel free to take this quiz created by an autistic therapist who specializes in late-identified neurodivergent women

The Testing Process

Strengths-based assessments completed virtually and quickly (start to finish in a matter of weeks not months).

  • Schedule a 20-minute phone call with Dr. Desiree to discuss if working together is a good fit for your needs.

  • After your phone consultation, you will receive a link to your account in the secure online portal. Follow that link to complete your intake paperwork.

  • Depending on if you are wondering about ADHD or Autism, there may be self-report measures that need to be completed by you (and possibly a family member as well).

    Once you have completed your new client paperwork, you will be sent the assessments. The time needed to complete them varies for each person. Once you submit your completed assessments, you will be able to schedule the video meetings.

  • The next step in the evaluation process is video meetings with me (Dr. Desiree).

    I will ask you questions about yourself and gather more information relevant to the evaluation process.

    These appointments are scheduled in 2-hour blocks. Autism assessments usually take 2-4 hours and ADHD assessments are usually 2 hours; so 4-6 hours total if assessing for both autism and ADHD.

  • The final step in the process is speaking with me to go over the results of the evaluation.

    In this session, you and I will will go over any diagnoses that have been made and discuss general recommendations.

    You will receive a digital copy of the summary report with the findings from the evaluation within one week of this feedback session.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about online ADHD and Autism assessments

  • Assessing ADHD or Autism involves a series of collaborative video sessions, aimed at gaining a thorough understanding of your internal experiences. This personalized approach is vital for accurately diagnosing ADHD or Autism in adults, given the past inaccuracies of traditional criteria. It's crucial to work with a practitioner who understands the nuances of neurodiversity in adults.

    Generally, we'll cover the following categories:

    1. Informed Consent: We'll discuss why you suspect you might be ADHD or Autistic and explain the assessment process.

    2. Sensory Experiences: We'll explore your sensitivities and preferences regarding sensory stimuli.

    3. Cognitive Style: We'll delve into your cognitive preferences, including passions, structure, and routines.

    4. Social Experiences: We'll examine your social experiences from childhood to adulthood in detail.

    Typically, four sessions suffice, but additional sessions can be scheduled if necessary.

  • No, I specialize in assessing adults, especially women who have likely been masking for years.

  • Evaluations for ADHD or Autism begin at $1500 which includes 4-5 hours of collaborative sessions, scoring of assessments, and a short (one to two page) diagnosis verification letter documenting your diagnosis (if one is made). If additional time is needed, each session is billed at $250/hour.

  • I am out-of-network with all insurance companies. This means that you are directly responsible for payment of services. However, I can provide you with a superbill to seek reimbursement from your insurance company.

    Payment is due at the time of service and debit, credit, and HSA/FSA cards are all accepted.

  • While telehealth assessments are convenient for seeing folks in several locations and from the comfort of their own homes, it also not for everyone. In order to complete the self-report measures, one must be able to do so independently. A fast internet connection and privacy are also required for the video sessions.

    Individuals who are in need of support related to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, or a safe exit strategy from violence within the home, would likely need a higher level of care than can be provided via telehealth.

  • No, I do not include a formal written report to make the diagnostic assessment more affordable and a be able to offer a shorter wait time for services.

    I do provide a short (one-to-two page) summary stating the diagnosis and recommendations (if appropriate).

  • Unfortunately, it is unlikely to be enough documentation for a school, college, or government agency to provide accommodations. However, it may be enough for workplace supports.

    For more formal accommodation requests for standardized testing or university supports, a comprehensive cognitive, academic, and/or neuropsychological testing battery is typically required.

You deserve a life where your unique strengths shine and where you can thrive just as you are.