Autism & ADHD Evaluations for Late-Identified Adults
Comprehensive Neurodivergent-Affirming Evaluations for the Highly Masked, Missed, and Misdiagnosed
What If There’s a Reason You’ve Always Felt Different?
In the midst of a growing wave of awareness around neurodiversity, you might find yourself revisiting long-held questions about who you are and how your brain works. Are you wondering if you’re autistic or have ADHD but were never identified as a child? Maybe you’ve spent hours deep in Neurodivergent TikTok, questioning whether your masking, meltdowns, or intensity “count.” Or maybe you already know you’re neurodivergent—you just don’t know if it’s autism, ADHD, both, or something else entirely.
Many late-identified adults arrive at this exact crossroads—after years of feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or told they were “just anxious” or “too sensitive.” Some were given labels that never quite fit. Some were prescribed medications that only made things worse. Whether you’re exploring this for the first time or circling back with deeper insight, I offer a process that’s validating, collaborative, and grounded in your lived experience—not a pass/fail test based on how much eye contact you make.
How Side Quest Psychotherapy Evaluations Offer a More Affirming, Accurate Approach to Autism & ADHD Diagnosis
Clinically Rigorous & Neurodiversity-Affirming
Your evaluation uses gold-standard autism and ADHD assessment tools—standardized measures, structured interviews, and a detailed developmental history—combined with a neurodiversity-affirming approach that highlights strengths as well as challenges, and includes a comprehensive differential diagnosis process to accurately identify or rule out co-occurring conditions.
Relational, Not Robotic
You meet one-to-one with a late-identified AuDHD clinician who understands the lived experience of being neurodivergent. Every step is explained clearly, your input is valued, and your comfort matters. This collaborative design blends your personal story with clinical expertise, creating an accurate autism or ADHD diagnosis rooted in context, safety, and respect.
Understood in Context—Not Reduced to a Score
If masking has hidden your traits—or if intersecting identities such as AFAB, nonbinary, transgender, or BIPOC have led to misdiagnosis—this process ensures culturally responsive autism and ADHD testing. Every nuance is considered, so you leave with a diagnosis you can trust.
Specialized in Masked & Misunderstood Presentations
Highly verbal, perfectionistic, gifted, queer, trans, or Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profiles often slip past traditional diagnostic frameworks. This evaluation is fine-tuned to identify late-identified and multiply neurodivergent profiles, clarifying complex presentations without pathologizing your individuality.
Beyond Diagnosis—Actionable, Personalized Support
When diagnostic criteria are met, you receive clear documentation to support accommodations, disability benefits, and ADA protections. You’ll also get “penguin pebbles”—carefully chosen resources, referrals, and personalized strategies to help you thrive at work, in school, and at home.
Your Report Stays With You
Your diagnostic report belongs entirely to you. It is provided directly to you and never shared with any school, employer, agency, or other provider unless you choose to share it. You have full control over if, when, and with whom your report is shared.
Learning your neurotype is not the end of the quest. It’s where things start to make sense—and where you finally get a compass that points to your own true north.
Why Seek a Diagnosis as an Adult?
Some people come to this process already certain they’re neurodivergent—they’ve done the research, connected the dots, or received informal feedback—and just want a professional to help make sense of it all. Others feel unsure, cautious, or ambivalent about pursuing a formal diagnosis. Both paths are completely valid.
A formal diagnosis isn’t always necessary—but for many, it can be a powerful, even life-changing, step. Especially for those who were overlooked or misdiagnosed in childhood, receiving a diagnosis later in life can offer clarity, language, and support that finally makes sense. Whether you’re seeking answers, accommodations, or simply a deeper understanding of yourself, here are some things to consider:
Potential Benefits
Clarity, Language & Validation
Having a name for your experience can bring powerful relief. It can reduce self-blame, clarify lifelong patterns, and offer a compassionate framework for understanding yourself—and advocating for your needs with more confidence.Tailored & Effective Support
A clear diagnosis can guide more personalized, affirming support—whether for sensory needs, executive functioning, emotional regulation, or pacing in recovery. This is especially valuable in areas like eating disorder treatment, trauma work, or substance use care, where neurodivergent needs are often overlooked.Access to Safer Treatment
Many neurodivergent adults are misdiagnosed with mood or personality disorders. A formal diagnosis can help reduce the risk of inappropriate treatment and support safer, more effective psychiatric care—especially when medication is involved.Informed Parenting or Caregiving
Understanding your neurotype can offer powerful insight into family dynamics and help guide more affirming, attuned caregiving—particularly if you’re raising neurodivergent children.Improved Self-Advocacy
Diagnostic documentation can strengthen your ability to advocate for support in medical, therapeutic, academic, or workplace settings—grounded in a clinician’s perspective.Accommodations & Legal Protections
A diagnosis may help you access workplace or academic accommodations under laws like the ADA or Section 504—support that can reduce burnout, improve functioning, and protect your rights.Recognition in Systems
Diagnostic documentation can support applications for academic accommodations, housing protections, and accessibility services. It may also be part of the process for disability-related programs—though some systems may require additional documentation from a psychologist (PhD/PsyD) or medical doctor (MD).
Considerations
Documentation & Privacy
Even in private-pay settings, a diagnosis may become part of your health record through clinical documentation or if you choose to share it with other providers. This can have implications for insurance, licensure, or certain careers.Systemic Stigma Still Exists
Despite growing awareness, many institutions continue to view neurodivergence through a deficit-based or pathologizing lens. Ableism, unfortunately, remains a barrier in some settings.Immigration Implications
In some immigration processes, formal diagnoses—especially those classified as disabilities—may carry unintended consequences. If you’re applying for a visa, residency, or citizenship in any country, it’s wise to consult with an immigration attorney before pursuing a formal diagnosis to ensure it won’t affect your application or legal status.Disclosure Isn’t Always Straightforward
Deciding if, when, and how to share your diagnosis in school, work, or legal contexts can be complex. It’s a personal decision that deserves thoughtful considerations.
Not Sure if Diagnosis is the Right Quest?
If you’re curious about your neurotype but aren’t ready for an official diagnosis—or don’t feel one would be helpful—I offer Neurodivergent Exploratory Services. These collaborative, insight-oriented sessions provide space to reflect, explore patterns, and make meaning of your experiences, all without the pressure of pursuing a clinical diagnosis.
What to Expect
➤ Step 1: Intake Forms & Self-Report Measures
Before we meet, you’ll complete a set of intake forms and evidence-based self-report tools. These measures help us begin mapping out your neurotype by exploring things like cognitive patterns, executive functioning, demand avoidance, sensory experiences, interoception, proprioception, masking, and social communication style. Your responses offer valuable insight into how you move through the world—and help ensure that our time together is focused, affirming, and grounded in your lived experience.
Measures may include:
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1)
Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS)
BRIEF-A (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult)
Adult ADHD Masking Measure (AAMM)
Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2)
Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised (RAADS-R)
Repetitive Behaviors Questionnaire – Adult Version (RBQ-2A)
Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)
Monotropism Questionnaire (MQ)
Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA)
Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP)
Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – Version 2 (MAIA-2)
➤ Step 2: Diagnostic Interview(s)
Next, we’ll meet either virtually or in-person for a longer session, with scheduled breaks built in to support comfort and focus. The session begins with a comprehensive diagnostic intake, where I’ll gather your developmental, medical, educational, and psychosocial history. We’ll also explore what’s bringing you in at this time—what questions you’re holding and what clarity you’re seeking.
If you’re exploring ADHD, I’ll guide you through the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-2.0), a structured tool we use to assess for symptoms across childhood and adulthood. If you’re exploring autism, I’ll administer the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2), a conversational, sensory-informed tool designed to highlight how you process the world. You’re welcome to invite a parent, partner, or other support person to join us for this interview if you’d like them included.
If we’re assessing for both autism and ADHD, we can either schedule both assessments for the same day (with a long break in between) or split them into two separate sessions—whatever supports your energy and accessibility needs best.
Please note that Side Quest Psychotherapy does not administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2).
➤ Step 3: Collateral Interviews & Additional Measures
If you’d like others involved in the process—such as a partner, parent, or therapist—I’ll ask you to sign a Release of Information (ROI) form for each person. Once those are in place, I’ll reach out to gather any relevant insights they’re able to share.
I may also follow up with additional self-report questionnaires or structured screening tools, depending on what emerges during the evaluation. These may help us better understand co-occurring experiences such as trauma exposure, dissociation, stress-related responses, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive traits, or premenstrual mood changes.
The goal is to ensure your evaluation reflects the full picture—not just surface-level symptoms or a binary diagnosis. I’ll always check in with you before adding any new areas of assessment, and I only include what’s clinically relevant, affirming, and aligned with your goals.
➤ Step 4: Feedback Session
Approximately two weeks after your evaluation, we’ll meet for a feedback session to go over your results. I’ll share a clear summary of findings, answer any questions you may have, and walk you through personalized recommendations and next steps. You’ll receive a copy of your brief diagnostic summary or, if requested in advance, a comprehensive written report that you can use for accommodations, referrals, or self-advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Licensed Clinical Social Worker diagnose Autism and ADHD?
Yes. In Maryland, Licensed Certified Social Workers–Clinical (LCSW-Cs) are legally authorized to diagnose mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both adults and children. My evaluations adhere to DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 diagnostic standards, and the resulting documentation is appropriate for ADA accommodations, Section 504 plans, SSI/SSDI disability applications, and treatment planning.
I have advanced clinical training and supervised experience in autism and ADHD assessment, and I regularly work with late-identified, masked, and multiply neurodivergent clients. My practice is fluent in both the medical model and the social model of disability. This dual perspective allows me to assess symptoms with clinical precision while also contextualizing distress, adaptation, and identity within broader social, systemic, and developmental frameworks. I recognize that diagnostic clarity can be both a tool for access and a deeply personal process.
Among mental health professionals, master’s-level clinicians with this level of specialization remain relatively rare. I engage in regular consultation with licensed psychologists and master’s-level assessment specialists and stay current with emerging research and evolving best practices to ensure that every evaluation is accurate, ethical, and affirming.
How are your neurodevelopmental evaluations different from those done by a psychologist?
The primary differences between my evaluations and those conducted by psychologists involve the type of testing provided and the overall focus of the assessment. Psychologists often perform full neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluations, which include performance-based measures like IQ testing, academic achievement scores, and assessments of memory or processing speed. These tools are typically used to diagnose learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, or neurological conditions.
As a Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C), I do not administer cognitive or academic tests, and when such testing is needed, I refer to trusted psychologists or neuropsychologists. My evaluations are specifically designed to assess for autism and ADHD in adults, with a focus on late-identified, masked, or misdiagnosed presentations—particularly in AFAB, nonbinary, and BIPOC individuals, or those with trauma histories and overlapping conditions. I use validated screeners, structured clinical interviews, developmental history, and narrative data to build a nuanced, real-world picture of how neurodivergence shows up over time and across environments. I engage in careful differential diagnosis to distinguish autism and ADHD from PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders.
My approach is rooted in the social model of disability, which recognizes that distress and difficulty often emerge from a mismatch between a person’s neurotype and the expectations of their environment—not from something inherently “wrong” within the individual. I center lived experience, functional impact, and the broader systems that shape how neurodivergence is expressed and perceived. That said, I also understand that access to accommodations, legal protections, and services often requires alignment with the medical model. When needed, I translate your lived experience into language that meets the formal documentation standards of the DSM-5-TR, ICD-10, ADA, and other institutional frameworks. This way, your evaluation supports both your self-understanding and your real-world access—without compromising the affirming, identity-conscious nature of the work.
It seems like everyone identifies as neurodivergent these days. How do you make sure your evaluations are accurate and not just confirming what someone wants to hear?
While more people are recognizing themselves in neurodivergent language, not everyone who relates to certain traits meets the clinical criteria for a formal diagnosis. My role isn’t to rubber-stamp a label—it’s to offer a grounded, evidence-based understanding of your experiences, grounded in both clinical rigor and respect for your story.
I use a multi-method approach that includes standardized screeners, developmental and psychosocial history, structured diagnostic interviews, and careful differential diagnosis. I look at how traits show up over time, across environments, and in relation to both functioning and distress. In some cases, traits that resemble autism or ADHD may be better explained by trauma, post-viral fatigue, complex PTSD, or another underlying factor. When that’s the case, I provide referrals to trusted providers so you can access the right kind of care and support.
Affirming doesn’t mean “automatic.” It means approaching each evaluation with curiosity, clinical integrity, and respect for complexity—so that whatever conclusions we arrive at are both accurate and genuinely useful for your life.
Evaluation Fees
I offer an equity-based pricing to increase access while honoring the time, training, and care that go into each evaluation. If you’re unsure which tier feels right for you, I encourage you to choose the rate that best reflects both your current financial reality and your ability to support others’ access to care. You may find tools like The Green Bottle Method helpful in making that decision.
All evaluation services can be paid in three monthly installments—with no interest, no added fees, and no credit check. I recognize that evaluations are a significant investment. That’s why I’ve built flexible payment options designed to ease the financial load and make the process feel thoughtful, accessible, and sustainable.
You’ll select your pricing tier and preferred payment schedule as part of your intake paperwork. Please note that these services are not eligible for insurance reimbursement, and superbills are not available for evaluations.
🧭 Included in Your Evaluation
Each evaluation includes 8–12 hours of dedicated evaluator time, encompassing clinical interviews, scoring and interpretation of assessment tools, review of relevant records, and optional collateral interviews with individuals you’d like involved in the process. You’ll receive a brief written summary outlining the findings, whether or not a diagnosis is made.
ADHD Assessment
Accessible: $1,000
Standard: $1,350
Pay-It-Forward: $1,700
Autism Assessment
Accessible: $1,350
Standard: $1,700
Pay-It-Forward: $2,050
ADHD + Autism Assessment
Accessible: $1,850
Standard: $2,200
Pay-It-Forward: $2,550
Comprehensive Written Report (Optional Add-On)
This in-depth, narrative-style report weaves together your developmental history, assessment results, sensory profile, and functional strengths and challenges—along with practical, personalized recommendations you can use for accommodations, care planning, or self-advocacy. Written with warmth, clarity, and intention, it’s designed to be shared with others—if and when you choose.
Comprehensive reports are especially helpful if you’re seeking school or workplace accommodations, disability documentation, or an affirming summary to share with providers involved in your care.
Accessible: $750
Standard: $1,000
Pay-It-Forward: $1,250
Understanding your neurotype can change everything, including how you relate to yourself, how you navigate your needs, how you interact with others, and how you move through the world. For many people, it’s not just about getting a label; it’s about finding language that makes sense of years of confusion, self-doubt, or misdiagnosis. It’s about reclaiming your story, your strengths, and your right to exist without constantly apologizing for being “too much” or “not enough.”
You deserve answers that respect your complexity—not just checklists or generic explanations. If you’re ready to explore what your brain has been trying to tell you all along, I’m here to support that journey with care, precision, and respect.