Autism Spectrum disorder, which you may hear referred to simply as ASD or autism, is a common type of neuro divergence that effects people in a range of ways. Because it’s a spectrum disorder, assessment involves increasing a person’s self-awareness of where they fall within that spectrum, so they know what, if any, support resources they need to be successful personally, academically, and/or professionally. You can learn more about ASD testing and what you can expect during and after assessment on this page.
ASD is a disorder that develops during neurodevelopment and causes individuals to experience differences in the way they approach social interactions, communication, and sensory experience. People who are diagnosed with ASD often have a different attitude toward education, work, social interactions, and other aspects of life that can cause challenges.
Each person’s experience with ASD is different and symptoms vary based on age and range of other factors. If it’s not diagnosed in early years, people often learn to disguise the symptoms of ASD, making it more difficult to diagnose. People may struggle with common co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety without realizing that the unaddressed impact of ASD is playing a part in these conditions as well. If you’re not sure that you should receive assessment for autism spectrum disorder, consider your answers to the following questions:
-Do I engage in repetitive behaviors?
-Is structure and planning important to me?
-Is remaining flexible difficult?
-Do I struggle to hold eye contact?
-Do people think I am too blunt or even rude in conversation?
-Is it difficult to recognize emotions in others?
-Are social norms and cues that others seem to manage easily confusing?
-Am I often told that I’m invading the personal space of others?
-Do I eat the same foods on most days?
-Are there certain fabrics or types of clothing that bother me?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, you may want to consider ASD testing.
Providing a thorough and accurate assessment for autism spectrum disorder involves several steps, including:
- Intake: this initial consultation gives your therapist the opportunity to ask questions, get the results of rating scales, and gather information to help them determine the right assessments to include in your ASD testing battery.
-Testing sessions: during these assessment visits, you’ll receive a range of tests that were chosen based on the results of your intake session. They may include psychological, emotional, cognitive, educational, or other assessments to make a diagnosis.
- Results: your psychologist will provide a report outlining the results of the assessments, including appropriate diagnoses. During a follow-up visit, your psychologist will explain the results, answer questions, and provide recommendations for ongoing support.
You’ll get started with the ASD assessment process by scheduling an introductory phone call. This brief discussion gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the process and ensure they feel comfortable before moving forward. From there, you’ll schedule an online intake session where your psychologist will gather additional information about your medical history, medications, past therapy experience, prior educational support, and a range of other factors. The psychologist uses this information to customize your assessment battery to provide the answers you need. When you’re ready to get started, just take a few moments to complete our online request. We look forward to hearing from you.
