Do I need a diagnosis? Is it worth getting evaluated?
- Validate your experience: You’re not broken; you’re neurodivergent. This can be profoundly relieving.
- Explain lifelong struggles: Why you’ve always felt “different,” why certain things are hard.
- Access accommodations: At work, school, or when seeking disability services
- Inform treatment: If you work with a therapist, knowing you’re autistic changes the approach.
- Connect with community: Many people find deep belonging in the autistic community
- Reduce shame and self-blame: You’re not lazy, broken, or antisocial; your brain works differently
Some people seek diagnosis for clarity, validation, or access. Others are comfortable without it. Both are valid.
If you’re on the fence, we can discuss this in a free 15-minute initial consultation. There’s no pressure.
I'm a woman/nonbinary/transgender person. Can you diagnose autism in adults who aren't cisgender men?
Autism is historically under-diagnosed in women, trans, and nonbinary individuals because:
- Autism was first described in boys and has long been seen as “a boy thing”
- Girls often mask or camouflage their autism to fit in (which is exhausting but can make them appear neurotypical)
- Traditional checklists were often written by and for men
- Autistic traits show up differently by gender and AMAB/AFAB
I use MIGDAS-2, which is designed to capture autism across genders and across the lifespan. I ask about masking, socialization patterns, gender expression, and how you’ve navigated belonging. This assessment is built to see you, not miss you.
I'm worried the assessment will be like school testing: clinical, cold, pressure-filled?
My assessment is a conversation, not a test. You’re not being graded. There are no “right answers.” We’re exploring your lived experience together. I ask open-ended questions, listen for patterns, and take notes on what matters to you.
MIGDAS-2 specifically uses sensory-based activities to help you show, not just tell, how your brain works. It’s designed to feel natural and low-pressure.
If you’ve had bad experiences with clinical testing, let me know. I can adapt the process to feel safer for you.
Can I do this assessment virtually or do I have to come in person?
Everything can be done via secure video: intake, MIGDAS-2 interview, feedback, questionnaires (you complete at home). This is actually easier for many people: less travel, can be in your own space, more control over your sensory environment.
Will my insurance cover this?
- Faster access (no insurance approval delays)
- No documentation burden on you
- Complete clinical freedom for me
- Higher quality evaluation
What you CAN do:
- I’ll provide a detailed invoice/receipt. You can submit it to your insurance as “out-of-network” and request reimbursement (you’ll get back whatever your plan covers for out-of-network mental health services—often 50%).
- Some FSA/HSA plans reimburse mental health evaluations if you have the right plan.
- Some employers have mental health benefits that cover this.
I’m happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance. But the upfront cost is yours.
What if I don't meet criteria for autism? What happens then?
1. You don’t meet autism criteria, but something else emerges: Maybe it’s ADHD, anxiety, trauma responses, or something else entirely. My report will explain what we found and what it means, and any recommendations for further evaluation/assessment or services that may help support you.
2. You’re “on the spectrum” but don’t meet full DSM-5 criteria: Some people have significant autistic traits but don’t have sufficient functional impairment for a diagnosis. That’s real and valid. We’ll discuss what that means and whether a diagnosis would help you.
Either way: You’ll understand yourself better. That’s the goal.
I'm worried about getting a label that will hurt me (employment, insurance, etc.)?
Know before you pursue diagnosis:
- A diagnosis on your medical record could theoretically affect employment (though disability discrimination is illegal)
- Some people choose not to disclose diagnosis to employers
- You have the right to keep your diagnosis private or share it selectively
- Medical records are generally confidential, but disclosure is a choice
Practical options:
- You can get a diagnosis and keep it private
- You can request a superbill and handle insurance yourself (keeps it off your medical record)
- You can get assessed and decide later whether to pursue formal documentation
The diagnosis is for you, not for the world. You control who knows.
What if I'm diagnosed with autism? What happens next?
- Therapy: I offer trauma-informed therapy for autistic adults. Many people benefit from processing past experiences (bullying, masking, burnout) through an autistic lens.
- Coaching: Some autistic adults benefit from executive functioning coaching or social coaching (I can refer).
- Support groups: Autism/neurodivergent communities (online and in-person) can be quite powerful.
- Accommodations: At work, school, or in life (sensory changes, schedule changes, etc.)
- Community: Finding other autistic people and belonging.
- Nothing: You have your answer. That might be enough.
There’s no “right” next step. A diagnosis is useful information. What you do with it is yours to decide.
Can you assess my child?
Do you do assessments for learning disabilities, ADHD-only, or other diagnoses?
- ADHD assessment ($1,800)
- Combined autism + ADHD ($3,200)
For learning disabilities or comprehensive neuropsychological testing, I’ll refer you to a neuropsychologist.
What makes your assessment different from other clinicians?
- Use MIGDAS-2, which is sensory-based and designed to see masked/late-diagnosed adults
- Take a neurodiversity-affirming approach: autism isn’t pathology; it’s difference
- Specialize in trauma + autism: many autistic people have trauma; I get that intersection
- Spend real time: 3–4 thorough sessions, not a 90-minute “diagnostic interview”
- Write a detailed report: not just “you’re autistic” but *how* autism shows up for you specifically
- Provide actionable recommendations: concrete ideas for your specific life and challenges
What if I'm not ready to commit to a full assessment?
- Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to ask questions and see if we’re a good fit
- Do a brief screening ($500 for autism/$300 for ADHD) to see if full assessment makes sense
This is an important decision. I want you to feel confident and informed.
for your free consultation.