Autism Testing

Autism testing is a comprehensive evaluation designed to uncover how an individual naturally perceives, communicates, and connects with the world around them. This process takes a holistic view of a person’s unique social communication patterns, sensory processing profile, and cognitive style. For the individual, receiving a clear assessment provides a concrete framework for understanding their life experiences, replacing confusion with clear answers and helping them identify the specific environments where they can feel most comfortable. For the treatment team, this testing provides a precise, practical roadmap. Armed with objective data about the individual’s specific needs and communication preferences, therapists, educators, and doctors can design targeted care plans that respect their sensory boundaries and build directly upon their natural cognitive strengths.

What to Expect

45 to 60 minute intake interview about your history and current symptoms
3 to 6 hours of face-to-face testing, sometimes split across multiple sessions
Collaboration with other providers involved in your care, such as therapists, teachers, or physicians, with your consent
A 45 to 60 minute feedback session to review your results
A written report you can share with your other providers

Testing is available for ages 5 and up. The intake and feedback sessions can be done by telehealth. Only the testing itself requires an in-person visit.

Autism Testing for Adults

Autism testing for adults is a comprehensive evaluation designed to explore how a person’s brain inherently processes information, experiences sensory stimuli, and navigates social communication, looking past decades of behavioral “masking” to focus entirely on their internal, lived experience. Receiving this diagnosis later in life provides immense clarity and grounding for the individual, reframing a lifetime of unexplained social exhaustion and sensory overload as natural neurodivergent differences rather than personal failures, while simultaneously giving their treatment team a precise roadmap to implement neurodivergent-affirming therapies and genuine workplace accommodations. This clarity is becoming increasingly common, as adult autism diagnoses have become more frequent, driven by a modern, broader understanding of the diagnostic spectrum.

Autism Testing for Children and Teens

For children and teens, autism testing is a comprehensive evaluation designed to understand how a child naturally communicates, interacts, and experiences the world around them. The process is highly interactive and relies heavily on structured play, conversational games, and careful observation. Specialized clinicians use gold-standard tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), to look closely at how an individual shares enjoyment, uses gestures, interprets social cues, and responds to sensory inputs like textures or sounds. Autism testing for children and teens is helpful in the following ways:

Replacing Confusion with Clarity: Children and teens on the spectrum often struggle with changes in routine, sensory overload, or making friends, which can easily be misinterpreted by adults as behavioral tantrums, stubbornness, or “acting out.” Testing looks beneath these external reactions to identify the true neurological drivers, allowing parents and teachers to replace frustration with deep empathy and a clear understanding of the individual’s internal world.
Differentiating Autism from Overlapping Conditions: Early childhood behaviors like speech delays, poor eye contact, or intense tantrums can be signs of several different things, including global developmental delays, speech disorders, severe ADHD, or early childhood anxiety. A formal evaluation acts as a diagnostic filter to ensure the child isn’t misdiagnosed, saving the family years of trial-and-error with the wrong interventions.
Unlocking Crucial Early Intervention: The brain develops most rapidly in early childhood, making timely support incredibly impactful. A formal diagnosis provides the essential medical documentation needed to secure specialized, neurodiversity-affirming school supports, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and opens the door to funded therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy for sensory regulation, and social support groups that help the child thrive exactly as they are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to get tested?

Not usually. You can request an evaluation directly, though some insurance plans may require one. Our intake team will help determine if this is something needed.

Will insurance cover this?

Many plans cover autism testing. We’re happy to help you check your benefits.

What is the difference between autism testing and ADHD testing?

You can test for these diagnoses separately or at the same time. While autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental differences that frequently co-occur, testing for them focuses on different cognitive systems:

ADHD testing focuses primarily on executive functioning, measuring working memory, attention span, processing speed, and impulse control through cognitive exercises.
Autism testing focuses primarily on social communication patterns and sensory processing, evaluating how a person naturally shares experiences, builds relationships, interprets verbal and non-verbal cues, and handles environmental stimuli.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer questions, help look into your insurance benefits, or schedule your first appointment.