ASSESSMENT SERVICE

Comprehensive Autism Assessment

In-depth, neurodiversity-affirming evaluations designed to provide clarity, validation, and a deeper understanding of how you work.

Have you ever wondered why some things that seem easy for others—like casual conversation or loud spaces—feel like mountains you’re climbing every day? Maybe you’ve always felt different but couldn't pinpoint why.

You might have noticed that social rules felt confusing or arbitrary (did everyone else get a rulebook or something?!), or that sensory experiences seemed overwhelming to you when they didn’t seem to bother others. Maybe you’ve always had intense passions or hobbies that others didn’t share. You’ve likely found ways to adapt but still wonder if there's an explanation for why some things have always felt harder.

If you are curious about whether autism is part of who you are, or if you already identify as Autistic but want validation from someone else, know that you are not alone. At Asha Mental Health, we offer comprehensive autism assessments designed to provide holistic insights and empower your self-discovery with validation and clarity.

Our comprehensive autism assessment for adults is for those who want more than diagnostic confirmation—it’s for those who have a strong desire to understand themselves on a deeper level and finally have an understanding of their internal experiences that truly fits.

Am I autistic?

Why Comprehensive Testing Matters

 

Many adults seek a comprehensive assessment because their experiences don’t fit the narrow narratives often associated with autism. You might have noticed that certain patterns of behavior, sensory sensitivities, or challenges with executive functioning have been present throughout your life but haven’t been fully explained. Perhaps you’ve masked for years, adapting to social expectations while struggling internally.

Autism is often misunderstood due to stereotypes that focus on external traits rather than internal experiences. A comprehensive assessment explores not only your social and sensory experiences but also co-occurring conditions that may affect your daily life.

Here are some experiences that might lead you to seek comprehensive testing:

  • Difficulty understanding why some environments or tasks feel overwhelming.

  • A mix of strengths and struggles in areas like organization, emotional regulation, or communication.

  • A history of misdiagnosis or being told you’re “fine” despite feeling like you have ongoing challenges.

If this resonates, our comprehensive autism assessment for adults can help you connect the dots and gain a clear, empowering understanding of yourself.

What Does Neurodiversity-Affirming Assessment Mean?

 

A neurodiversity-affirming assessment embraces the idea that different neurotypes are a natural part of human diversity. Instead of viewing autism through a deficit-based lens, we embrace the concept of different neurotypes and honor how you uniquely experience and navigate the world. A neurotype is simply how your brain processes information, experiences emotions, and interacts with the world.  No neurotype is better or "more correct" than another—they're all simply different.

We prioritize curiosity, empathy, and respect throughout the assessment process. Our goal is not to focus on deficits but to highlight your strengths, understand your challenges, and support you in making sense of your experiences. 

Here’s what that means for you:

  • Strengths-Based Approach: We focus on your strengths and unique abilities, not just the challenges you face.

  • Respect and Validation: Your experiences and feelings are valid. We listen without judgment and trust your lived experiences.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: We consider how your cultural background and experiences intersect with your neurodiversity, ensuring a holistic understanding of your identity.

  • Empowerment: Our goal is to help you understand yourself and feel more confident in who you are.

  • Collaborative Process: We see you as the expert in your life and make this process a partnership.

What’s Included in a Comprehensive Assessment?

Our comprehensive autism assessment includes:

  • A series of in-depth clinical interviews to explore your background, strengths, and challenges.

  • Measures for autism traits, attention and concentration, sensory processing, mood, and executive functioning.

  • Collateral interviews (optional) to gain additional context from someone who knows you well.

  • A 20+ page detailed report that provides diagnostic clarity and personalized recommendations.

Our assessments are conducted by neurodiversity affirming professionals who recognize diverse presentations of autism and are trained to identify subtle signs, especially in individuals who mask heavily.

Why Choose the Comprehensive Assessment?

The comprehensive autism assessment is a great fit if you:

  • Want to do a deep dive on your neurodivergence, including potential co-occurring conditions and the nuances of how you work.

  • Have experienced a history of misdiagnosis or invalidation.

  • Need detailed documentation for accommodations in school, work, or professional settings.

  • Are eager to understand co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD or sensory processing differences, to support their goals.

  • Want practical recommendations for creating routines, sensory supports, and emotional regulation strategies.

  • Seek personalized guidance to advocate for themselves in daily life and professional environments.

  • Value having a detailed report that explains strengths and challenges for greater self-awareness

This assessment provides an extensive and individualized exploration, offering more than a diagnosis—it provides a roadmap for understanding and support.

Realizing this is more than you need? If you’re simply looking for confirmation of what you already know to be true and prefer a faster, more affordable option, our Abbreviated Autism Assessment might be a better fit. It’s designed to provide professional validation with minimal time commitment while offering clarity and support tailored to your needs.

What to Expect During the Comprehensive Autism Assessment Process

Autism assessments can be a valuable tool for gaining clarity and support. Our comprehensive autism assessment for adults offers a deep dive into your neurodivergence, co-occurring conditions, challenges and strengths, providing personalized recommendations and a detailed report. You can meet with us remotely or in person, and you are encouraged to be your full, comfy, quirky, fidgety self.

Navigating Cost: Our Economic Justice Sliding Scale Explained

Thoughtful and affirming ADHD assessments require significant time, expertise, and specialized training to ensure that your unique experiences are understood and respected. However, we know this level of care comes with costs that can be difficult to access for some, which is why we offer a sliding scale.

Our sliding scale, inspired by the Green Bottle model created by Alexis J Cunningfolk (read more here), is designed to make care more accessible while promoting equity and sustainability. The idea is simple but impactful: each "bottle" represents a different tier of financial contribution, empowering you to choose the fee that aligns with your financial reality.

We believe that everyone should have access to compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming care, regardless of financial circumstances. This approach reflects our values of inclusion and social justice while also helping us sustain our practice and support others who need lower-cost options. When you select your tier thoughtfully, you contribute to a community of care that prioritizes fairness and accessibility for all.

How does it work?

Our sliding scale is designed to reflect different levels of financial privilege and access. Inspired by the Green Bottle model, each "bottle" represents a different tier of financial contribution, helping you choose a payment option that aligns with your current financial reality

  • The Left Bottle (Top Tier) represents individuals who have financial stability and can contribute the full fee, supporting the overall sustainability of our practice.

    The Middle Bottle (Moderate Tier) reflects individuals who may need to budget but can still meet basic needs with some financial trade-offs.

  • The Right Bottle (Lower Tier) is for those experiencing significant financial hardship who may otherwise be unable to access services.

We trust you to choose the tier that aligns with your reality—no formal documentation or financial disclosures required. We ask that you select mindfully, as lower-tier spots are limited and reserved for those facing significant financial need.

The cost of our Comprehensive Autism Assessment is $5,500

If you are interested in applying for a sliding scale assessment option, you can access the application form when completing the assessment interest forms. Please note that due to limited availability, middle and right bottle spots may have longer wait times.

Why are Autism Assessments So Expensive?

 

Ok, let’s be real for a moment. We understand that the cost of a comprehensive autism assessment can feel significant, and makes some of your eyes pop out. Here's what goes into that cost:

  • Time and Expertise: Our team spends hours (seriously, hours and hours) preparing, conducting interviews, scoring tests, and creating personalized reports.

  • In-Depth Reports: Each report is tailored to your experiences, often exceeding 20 pages with detailed insights and recommendations. We aren’t using cookie cutter recommendations or templated summaries. Every report is unique to you.

  • Specialized Training: Our assessors are trained in neurodiversity-affirming care, co-occurring conditions, and identifying subtle presentations in high maskers. We put time in regularly to ensure we are up to date, consulting appropriately, and learning all we can to serve you best.

Your investment supports a thorough, affirming process designed to provide clarity and actionable support.

So Why choose An Assessment with Us?

First, we think we’re pretty awesome. But more importantly, choosing Asha Mental Health for your assessment means choosing a practice that prioritizes care, empathy, and your unique story.

Here's what sets us apart:

  • Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach: We celebrate strengths while understanding challenges. Also, we identify as neurodivergent ourselves, so we get the challenges of feeling heard and validated. Neurodiversity affirming care is personal to us.

  • Expert Team: Our assessors have specialized training in recognizing subtle presentations of autism, especially in individuals who mask heavily, identify as, or were socialized as, women and girls, or BIPOC folx.

  • Collaborative Process: We see the assessment as a partnership and encourage open dialogue throughout.

  • Comprehensive Support: You’ll leave with practical recommendations and resources, not just a diagnosis.

  • Inclusive and Compassionate Care: We recognize the impact of intersectionality and honor your lived experience.

Let’s get started

Ready for deeper self-understanding? Our comprehensive autism assessment offers clarity, personalized insights, and actionable support.

Hear Priyanka on the I Have ADHD Podcast

Priyanka was recently a guest on the I Have ADHD Podcast with Kristen Carder. Hear her talk about all things Women & ADHD, her own experience as a late diagnosed BIPOC ADHDer, the overlap between ADHD & Autism, neurodiversity-affirming care, and multiculturally inclusive care.

Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts here and Spotify here.

 

FAQS

  • No, our assessments are designed for adults 18 and older.

  • We have a limited number of insurance-based spots for assessments to ensure we can manage our time and administrative workload effectively. Due to constraints on the amount of time insurance will reimburse for, insurance based assessments come with a brief report (3-5 pgs). If you wish to have a comprehensive report, this would be an out of pocket add-on fee.

    To balance our limited insurance availability, we’ve expanded our sliding scale offerings and partnered with CareCredit to make assessments accessible even without insurance. If we’re not in-network with your insurance, we’ll happily provide the necessary documentation for you to seek reimbursement. Find out more about what insurances we accept here.

  • We understand that high masking can make it harder to have your experiences recognized. Our assessors are trained to recognize subtle traits of autism in individuals who may mask heavily or have been socialized to "blend in." We trust your self-awareness and provide validation and support to help you embrace your neurodivergence.

  • We offer both virtual and in-person options for flexibility. Either way, you can wear your comfiest clothes and be free to stim and fidget to your heart’s content.

  • You’ll have a two hour feedback session approximately 3 weeks after your assessment, and the report is sent 4-6 weeks afterward.

  • No, you’re not required to include parental or third-party input unless you believe it will provide helpful context. We trust your self-awareness.