Autism & AuDHD Assessment Information

Understanding Yourself, Affirming Your Story

If you're seeking a thoughtful, supportive assessment for Autism, ADHD, or AuDHD (both Autism and ADHD together), you're in the right place. My approach is collaborative, strengths-centered, and designed to help you feel seen, not pathologized.

Every step is flexible, at your pace, and focused on making sense of your unique experiences.

A Collaborative Process, Centered on You

This isn’t about fitting you into a box — it’s about understanding your patterns, strengths, needs, and possibilities.

I’m honored to walk this path with you.

Assessment Overview

(scroll down for more details)

What the process includes:

Phase 1: Intake + Preparation

  • We discuss your history, what’s prompting the as, and sewhich tools ssmetnwill be used. We screen for co-occurring conditions and answer your questions before anything begins.

Phase 2: Clinical interview sessions

  • Using the MIGDAS-2 alongside DSM-5-TR criteria, we conduct diagnostic interviews across multiple sessions — spread out to reduce burnout and allow time to process.

Phase 2: Between-session questionnaires

  • You’ll complete standardized measures on your own time (*Body Doubling option available) and between session reflection questions amidst Phase 2. These are a component of the formal assessment that has been shown to allow for a more rich process.

Phase 3: Integration & self-advocacy session

  • After the Clinical Interview Phase, we review your personalized written report together and focus on understanding your results, practical next steps, and advocating for yourself going forward.

More Details:

Here’s what to anticipate in a full AuDHD Assessment:

Phase 1 : Intake and Preparation (1-2 Sessions)

We start with a deep intake process designed to understand your background, goals, and early patterns that may shape your experiences.

  • You’ll complete:

    • An intake packet through my client portal, broken into small, manageable sections

    • A set of self-assessments focused on sensory experiences, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and attention

  • Optional Support Available:

    • Body Doubling Session: If paperwork feels overwhelming, we can schedule a session where you complete it with me present for support and accountability.

    This phase lays the foundation for a meaningful and personalized assessment experience.

Phase 2: Clinical Interview (5-6 Sessions)

These sessions use a structured but conversational format to explore your lived experience across different domains. This includes the MIGDAS-2, a tool designed for neurodivergent-affirming assessment through storytelling and dialogue. These conversations are intended to be collaborative, flexible, and centered on your voice.

The heart of the assessment is a series of structured but conversational interviews based on the MIGDAS-2 framework — a neurodivergent-affirming method centered around storytelling and lived experience.

We’ll explore the following areas:

Session 1: Special Interests & Self-Concept

  • Building rapport through discussion of your special interests, hobbies, or areas of expertise

  • Exploring your self-concept, experiences with masking, and sense of belonging

Session 2: Sensory Assessment & Interoception

  • A standalone focus on sensory sensitivities: auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, proprioceptive/vestibular

  • Exploring how sensory experiences impact physical health (e.g., reactions to smells, food textures, environments)

  • Assessing interoception: your awareness of internal sensations like hunger, thirst, pain, or fatigue

  • Sensory Reflection Worksheet: A gentle worksheet to help you notice your sensory preferences, sensitivities, and soothing strategies before our sessions.

Session 3: Daily Functioning, Routine, and Sleep Patterns

  • Exploring executive functioning challenges related to daily tasks, time management, and organization

  • Reviewing habits and routines that provide structure or coping

  • Discussing sleep patterns, quality, and their impact on mood and functioning

Session 4: Social Communication, Relationships, and Strengths

  • Assessing social communication (verbal and nonverbal patterns) and navigating social expectations

  • Exploring relationship patterns in friendships, family, work, and romantic connections

  • Highlighting strengths, resilience, and successes in adapting to challenges

Session 5: Emotional Regulation, Coping Strategies, and Trauma History

  • Discussing emotional regulation patterns, intense emotional experiences, and coping mechanisms

  • Identifying successful strategies and challenges with stress management

  • Exploring any trauma or stress history related to social experiences, bullying, or environmental overwhelm

Optional:

  • If extra space or time is needed, we can schedule an additional overflow or processing session. Flexibility is built into the process—there’s no rush.

2-3 Week Gap for Report Writing & Review of Self-Assessments: Allocated time to thoroughly review session notes, self-assessments, and observational data.

Phase 3: Report Review & Integration (1–2 Sessions + Optional Follow-Ups)

After completing the interview series, I’ll spend about 2–3 weeks reviewing all notes, assessments, and observations to create a comprehensive report.

Your personalized report will include:

  • Diagnostic impressions (if applicable)

  • Key clinical themes and insights

  • Personalized support recommendations

  • Suggestions for accommodations, advocacy language, and next steps

We’ll meet to review your report together, making sure you have space to ask questions, reflect, and integrate what feels most important to you.

Optional Ongoing Support:

  • After completing your assessment, you can request to schedule monthly integration check-ins to support you as you apply insights, seek services, or navigate accommodations. These will be scheduled based on availability and referrals will be offered in the absence of availablity.

Integration & Next Steps (0 - 2+ Sessions)

  • 4-Week Integration Period: Allows the client time to process findings and integrate suggestions.

  • Optional Check-In Session for Treatment Planning + Referral: After the integration period, a check-in to discuss treatment planning or referrals may be helpful.

  • Reports finalized and made available for client to share with other providers and/or Release(s) of information signed for the therapist to share / discuss reports with others.

How much does an Autism Assessment cost?

The out-of-pocket cost for assessments is set based on my Standard Rates.

My standard rate is $250/hour. Pay What You Can rates are available for $75-249 and can be discussed in the initial consultation. Income verification is NOT required.

There is a $250 Assessment fee to cover the cost of licensing fees for assessment tools and my time spent writing the diagnostic assessment.

**Note: The assessment fee is waived for Open Path Clients and clients utilizing Health Insurance as a form of payment.

Standard Rate: $2,000: Appointments + Assessment Fee

  • 1 Sixty Minute Intake appointment to begin the process : $250

  • 5 Sixty Minute clinical interview assessment focused psychotherapy appointments : $250*5 = $1,250

  • 1 Sixty Minute summary appointment to discuss diagnostic assessment results : $250

  • Assessment Fee: $250 (waived for clients utilizing insurance)

  • Eligible for in-network coverage for some Clients - contact for more details

  • SuperBill available for out-of-network reimbursement

Sliding Scale Rates Available upon Request

  • I offer a limited number of cash-pay sliding-scale Assessment Slots as they are available at a rate of $75-200 per session.

  • A Good Faith Estimate is offered after a free- consultation to clients interested in a Sliding Scale Assessment which details the estimated total cost at the rate determined during the consultation process.

  • Sliding Scale Assessments are offered to clients who are uninsured, underinsured, and those who are receiving an Assessment with financial support from an outside source.‍ ‍

  • Sliding scale rates are NOT available for clients utilizing health insurance. All clients wishing to utilize health insurance will be billed the standard rates listed above and it is recommended that clients select Option A for the highest likelihood of reimbursement for Out of Network Insurance claims.

  • Assessment Fee - Waived for Sliding Scale Clients

    Contact me for details regarding sliding scale Assessment availability. I retain 25-50% of the appointment times for clients in need of sliding scale rates.

Commonly Asked Questions

How long does the assessment take?

Most assessments involve 4–5 hours of appointment time after intake. Most clients complete the full process within 60 days of their first appointment. Written reports are typically ready within 14 days of the final session.

What assessment tools do you use?

The clinical interview uses the MIGDAS-2, alongside DSM-5-TR criteria. Additional validated tools may be used to screen for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD.

Why pursue a formal diagnosis if I’ve already self-assessed?

A formal diagnosis opens the opportunity to knock on new doors — to services, accommodations, and a deeper understanding of yourself. For many late-diagnosed adults, a formal diagnosis is a gateway to self-exploration of discovering aspects of oneself that can be better explained with new understanding and awareness.

Until 2012, Autism and ADHD could not be diagnosed simultaneously in most cases and -therefore- many adults who are AuDHD (Autistic and ADHD) were misunderstood or unable to access the unique or custom supports and interventions available for our brains.

For more insight into why many folks consider a formal diagnosis to supplement any self-assessment tools, check out these links:

Can I use my health Insurance to get assessed?

Yes - more than likely, but you may need to pay out of pocket and request reimbursement..

I am in network with several insurance companies, which are listed on my Rates and Billing page here. .

I am able to offer clients a SuperBill to utilize Out of Network Benefits available on many health insurance plans. Clients pay out of pocket the full session rate and are reimbursed directly from their insurance company based upon available out of network benefits. To learn more about Out of Network billing, check out this post.

Is this assessment right for me?

This process works best for people who want a careful, person-centered evaluation with time to process results — and who value neurodivergent-informed accommodations and follow-up support to turn assessment results into meaningful next steps.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

  • The AuDHD assessment is a structured series of sessions designed to explore traits and behaviors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including areas where these traits may overlap. We’ll cover topics such as sensory sensitivities, executive functioning, emotional regulation, social communication, and daily routines. Each session focuses on a specific area to ensure we gain a comprehensive understanding of your strengths, challenges, and unique experiences.

  • Absolutely, yes.

    If you’re currently working with another therapist, we can coordinate so that our work can include any information about the support you’re already receiving.

    I can provide you with a summary or suggestions on how to share the assessment results with other providers, if that’s something you’d find helpful.

    • The amount of time can vary slightly, but I generally schedule 6 appointments, typically over 6-7 weeks in a row (it's okay if a week needs to be skipped because of life or other commitments; I don't want the process to feel rushed). 

    • I schedule appointments for 60 minutes, and typically the entire hour is full, so I encourage people to consider a timeframe in their week when they have about 1.5 hours available for appointments. Scheduling with "buffer time" can allow for any transition time before or after a session to grab a snack, use the bathroom, or do whatever is helpful when preparing for or finishing an appointment that can feel mentally like "a lot". 

    • I encourage interested clients to consider scheduling assessment sessions not right up against anything else that may require focus or socializing with others, because sessions can sometimes bring up emotionally challenging life stories, and having some time for self-care can be helpful. I mention this because SOME past assessment clients have encouraged me to share it in the scheduling process, as it was unexpected for them.  

    • Additionally, while much of the assessment is completed during the sessions, I ask clients to complete several standardized measures to include in my report writing.  These are completed via NovoPsych - an online platform - and can be completed on your own time (generally, clients say it can take 1-2 hours split over time) or we can schedule a "body doubling" time and walk through the measures on-screen in case you prefer or would benefit from completing them together. 

  • A body-doubling session is an optional service that provides additional support while you complete the self-assessment forms. During this session, I’ll be present with you to offer encouragement, accountability, and guidance as you work through the self-assessments.

    This session focuses on supporting any needs/preferences around executive function struggles.

    Body doubling can be especially helpful for those who struggle with executive functioning, focus, or procrastination. You’re not required to do it, but many clients find it beneficial. It is billed as a standard session to the method of payment you are utilizing and focuses on skill building by improving accessibility of the self-assessments, which can be challenging to complete independently, generate questions, and some clients find this session useful.

    Note: this is NOT a requirement or expectation, but is an available accomodation.

  • Before sessions, (upon request) I can send an overview of what we’ll be discussing and some optional prompts for reflection.

    These materials can help you consider specific aspects of your life, such as routines or sensory experiences, and gather your thoughts in advance.

    You’re welcome to bring any notes to our sessions if that helps you feel prepared and/or send notes to me for written review as a part of my report writing.

    Some clients have found this beneficial - especially those who feel most comfortable expressing themselves via writing vs. speaking. This can be discussed in the intake process and is an option, not an expectation.

  • Life happens, and rescheduling may be necessary!

    I just ask that you provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to change a session time.

    We can work together to find an alternative date that fits within our schedules.

  • Once the assessment is complete, we’ll have a report review session to discuss the findings, recommendations, and next steps.

    I also offer monthly check-in sessions for a few months after the assessment, which can be helpful for those interested in ongoing AuDHD-specific support.

    This is entirely optional and can focus on integrating insights from the assessment into your daily life, identifying resources, and developing self-advocacy skills.

  • Yes, after our assessment sessions, I’ll spend about 2-3 weeks compiling a comprehensive report that summarizes key findings and offers insights into Autism and/or ADHD traits that we identified.

    We’ll review this report together during our final session, where I’ll answer any questions and discuss next steps or recommendations.

About Insurance & Provisional Diagnosis

  • If you're using insurance for this process, a provisional diagnosis is required to begin.

  • I usually observe that many clients meet the criteria for: Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood initially.

  • This reflects the real stress of navigating systems not designed with all brains in mind. This provisional diagnosis is not a final conclusion.

  • Diagnostic impressions specific to Autism and/or ADHD will be developed thoughtfully through our full conversations and clinical observations.

  • If you have questions regarding this, don't hesitate to get in touch with me and ask. I welcome any and all questions, especially considering the complexity of many healthcare and insurance systems.

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