Autism Assessments for Adults

Late Diagnosis is a process.

Having a brain that operates differently isn’t a problem to be solved, it’s an operating system to be learned. Let’s learn together.

If you are an adult seeking assessment and diagnosis for Autism, request one here.

Check out my specialty page on Autism for more information.

Maybe you’re finding yourself here because you think you are autistic and are looking for a mental health professional to talk to about confirming your self-assessment.

If you are an adult who is looking to connect with a mental health professional about Neurodivergence - specifically Adult Autism - I am a mental health professional licensed to provide you support.

I offer ongoing mental health therapy and support to clients who live in Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, and Florida and can referral support to clients outside of those states and consultation to other professionals on an individualized basis.

Click here, scroll down, complete the brief form, and I will email you about a time we can connect.

Maybe you have completed multiple online Autism Self-Assessments such as the ones offered by Embrace Autism including the following assessment tools available at no-cost and want to talk through the results:

• The AQ-10 Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) is a quick questionnaire that primary care practitioners can use to see if a person should be referred for an autism assessment.

• The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-administered questionnaire used to measure autistic traits in adults (age 16+) with IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80).

• The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure empathy in adults. It tests the ability to tune into how someone else is feeling, or what they might be thinking.

• The Systemizing Quotient–Revised (SQ–R) is a self-report questionnaire comprising 75 items, which is used to assess so-called systemizing cognitive styles. Systemizing is the drive to analyze or construct systems.

• The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R) is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify adult autistics who “escape diagnosis” due to a subclinical level presentation.

• The Aspie Quiz is a self-administered questionnaire to measure autistic traits in adults (age 16+) with an IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80). In fact, it measures both autistic and neurotypical traits in five domains: talent, perception, communication, relationship, and social.

• The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It may be used to identify autistic individuals who do not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic proclivities.

• The Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A) is a self-administered questionnaire that measures restricted and repetitive behaviours in adults.

Additional Self Assessments that can be helpful in discussing Autism, ADHD, AuDHD and assessing one’s experience of life include:

• The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5) is a self-report screening scale for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. It’s the updated version of the ASRS v1.1.

• The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) is a self-report screening scale for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, consisting of two parts. Part A is the main test, while part B offers more information that can be discussed with your medical professional.

• The Executive Skills Questionnaire (ESQ) is designed to rank your executive skills. Executive function skills are mental processes that allow us to plan, focus our attention, recall instructions, juggle multiple tasks successfully, and self-regulate.

• The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a 20-item, self-administered questionnaire that measures difficulty in identifying and describing emotions, which is a big part of alexithymia.

• The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) is a self-report questionnaire measuring a person’s emotional ability to understand and respond to others.

• The Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA) is a self-administered questionnaire that measures traits and behaviors related to Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in adults (age 18+) with IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80).

• The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET or Eyes Test for short) has been widely used to measure theory of mind—the ability to recognize and understand another person’s mental state—or social intelligence.

• The VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA or VIA-IS for short) is a self-administered, scientifically validated questionnaire that provides a rank order of an adult’s 24 character strengths and virtues.

I can partner with you and another professional you are already working with to provide specific support around Autism, Neurodivergence, and integrating an adult diagnosis into your life.

This support often looks like supporting individuals who have received diagnosis from a psychiatrist and don’t know how to unpack the myriad of mental stories and feelings that new awareness can bring.

As a late-diagnosed Autistic Woman (more about me here) who realized much of my anxiety was due to several decades of masking who I truly am and mirroring others during social interaction, I understand and am passionate about supporting others through the process of receiving a diagnosis as an adult and integrating that into life.

You may experience anger, fear, grief, anxiety, and a sense of existential dread about what could have been different if you had known sooner or even social anxiety about the idea of unmasking and losing relationships.

I am here to help and happy to offer my experience and time to clients seeking support.

Reach out today for a free 15-20 minute consult call and let’s see if I can offer you what you’re looking for.

Misdiagnosis Monday Series by Dr. Megan Neff

Maybe you want to learn more about what it may be like to be Autistic as an adult, because your main reference points are Young Sheldon, Rain Man, or Bones, or other media portrayals…

Check out Dr. Megan Neff’s website for a great writeup here: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autism-in-adulthood

Research Articles (added November 2024)

AuDHD refers to the co-occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in an individual. This combination presents unique challenges and experiences. Below are 13 peer-reviewed articles that explore the intersection of autism and ADHD, providing insights into the AuDHD experience:

1. Antshel, K. M., & Russo, N. (2019). "Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD: Overlapping Phenomenology, Diagnostic Issues, and Treatment Considerations." Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(5), 34. This review discusses the shared and distinct features of ASD and ADHD, highlighting diagnostic challenges and treatment considerations.
   SpringerLink

2. Sedgwick, J. A., Merwood, A., & Asherson, P. (2019). "The Positive Aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Qualitative Investigation of Successful Adults with ADHD." ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 11(3), 241–253. This study explores the adaptive aspects of ADHD traits in adults, offering insights into strengths that may also be present in those with co-occurring ASD.
   SpringerLink

3. Menon, S. (2024). "‘We Can Look to the AuDHD Community to Learn More About What the Balance of Autism and ADHD Feels Like’." The Psychologist. This article provides a personal perspective on living with both autism and ADHD, emphasizing the importance of understanding the combined experience.
   BPS

4. Marschall, A. (2024). "AuDHD: When Autism and ADHD Co-Occur." Verywell Mind. This piece discusses the overlap between autism and ADHD, detailing how the combination affects daily life and functioning.
   Verywell Mind

5. "AuDHD: When Autism and ADHD Co-Occur." (2024). Medical News Today. This article explores the similarities and differences between autism and ADHD, focusing on the experiences of individuals with both conditions.
   Medical News Today

6. "AuDHD: Stories of Life with Autism and ADHD." (2024). ADDitude Magazine. This collection of personal accounts sheds light on the daily experiences and challenges faced by individuals with both autism and ADHD.
   Additude

7. "What Is AuDHD? Meaning, Symptoms, and Diagnosis." (2024). Attachment Project. This resource provides an overview of AuDHD, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and how it differs from ADHD alone.
   Attachment Project

8. "Risks Associated with Undiagnosed ADHD and/or Autism: A Mixed-Method Study." (2024). Journal of Attention Disorders. This study examines the potential risks and challenges faced by individuals with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis.
   SAGE Journals

9. "Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders: Clinical Implications of a Multiple Pathways Model." (2017). BMC Psychiatry, 17, 302. This article discusses the clinical implications of co-occurring ADHD and other disorders, including autism, in adults.
   BMC Psychiatry

10. "Looking Back on 42 Years of Research on ADHD in Females." (2021). CHADD. This review reflects on decades of research into ADHD in females, offering insights that may be relevant to understanding AuDHD in women.
    ADHD Girls and Women

11. "An ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood Comes with Challenges and Benefits." (2023). American Psychological Association. This article explores the process and implications of diagnosing ADHD in adulthood, including considerations for co-occurring conditions like autism.
    American Psychological Association

12. "The Overlap Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What Do We Know?" (2018). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(10), 884–886. This editorial discusses the overlap between ASD and ADHD, emphasizing the need for further research into their co-occurrence.

13. "Co-Occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Overview of the Current Status and Clinical Implications." (2016). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 266(6), 513–527. This review provides an overview of the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD, discussing prevalence, clinical features, and treatment considerations.

These articles collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of AuDHD, encompassing clinical perspectives, personal experiences, and research findings.

"AuDHD" is an informal term used to describe individuals diagnosed with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This co-occurrence presents unique challenges and experiences. Below are 13 peer-reviewed articles that explore the intersection of ASD and ADHD, many of which are freely accessible:

1. "The Co-Occurrence of Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children – What Do We Know?"

• Journal: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

• Summary: This article reviews the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and shared characteristics of co-occurring ASD and ADHD in children.

• Access: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

2. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Distinct or Overlapping Disorders?"

• Journal: Current Developmental Disorders Reports

• Summary: The study examines the overlapping symptoms and distinct features of ASD and ADHD, discussing implications for diagnosis and treatment.

• Access: Current Developmental Disorders Reports

3. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Association with Parental Broad Autism Phenotype"

• Journal: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

• Summary: This research explores the relationship between ADHD symptoms in children with ASD and the presence of autism-related traits in their parents.

• Access: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

4. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Early Childhood: A Review of Unique and Shared Characteristics and Developmental Course"

• Journal: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

• Summary: The article provides a comprehensive review of the early developmental trajectories of children with ASD, ADHD, or both.

• Access: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

5. "Overlap Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Structural and Functional Brain Imaging Studies"

• Journal: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

• Summary: This study investigates the neural correlates of ASD and ADHD, highlighting both shared and distinct brain structures and functions.

• Access: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

6. "Executive Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Independent and Interactive Associations with Adaptive and Challenging Behaviors"

• Journal: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

• Summary: The research examines how executive functioning deficits impact behaviors in children with ASD, ADHD, or both.

• Access: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

7. "Social Functioning in Children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Relationships with Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind"

• Journal: Developmental Neuropsychology

• Summary: This article explores the social challenges faced by children with ADHD and ASD, focusing on executive functioning and theory of mind.

• Access: Developmental Neuropsychology

8. "The Co-Occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Parents of Children with ASD or ASD with ADHD"

• Journal: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

• Summary: The study investigates the prevalence of ASD and ADHD symptoms in parents of children diagnosed with these conditions.

• Access: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

9. "Sensory Over-Responsivity in Elementary School: Prevalence and Social-Emotional Correlates"

• Journal: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

• Summary: This research examines sensory processing issues in children with ASD and ADHD and their impact on social-emotional development.

• Access: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

10. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Exploration of the Cognitive and Behavioral Characteristics of Comorbid Diagnosis"

• Journal: Journal of Attention Disorders

• Summary: The article delves into the cognitive and behavioral profiles of individuals diagnosed with both ASD and ADHD.

• Access: Journal of Attention Disorders

11. "The Overlap Between Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Review of the Literature"

• Journal: Research in Developmental Disabilities

• Summary: This literature review discusses the diagnostic challenges and symptom overlap between ASD and ADHD.

• Access: Research in Developmental Disabilities

12. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Distinct or Overlapping Disorders?"

• Journal: Current Developmental Disorders Reports

• Summary: The study examines the overlapping symptoms and distinct features of ASD and ADHD, discussing implications for diagnosis and treatment.

• Access: Current Developmental Disorders Reports

13. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Association with Parental Broad Autism Phenotype"

• Journal: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

• Summary: This research explores the relationship between ADHD symptoms in children with ASD and the presence of autism-related traits in their parents.

• Access: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders