Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Can Diagnose Autism in Adults?How Is Autism Diagnosed?Barriers to Getting an EvaluationShould You Get an Autism Evaluation?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults?
How Is Autism Diagnosed?
Barriers to Getting an Evaluation
Should You Get an Autism Evaluation?
Close
Language note: Although individual preferences exist, surveys of the autistic community consistently show that autistic people preferidentity-first languagerather than person-first language (i.e., “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”). This article reflects the community’s language preference.
Someone who suspects they might beautisticmay seek an official diagnosis from a qualified provider.
Read on to learn more about the diagnostic process, why it’s harder to identify autism in adults than children, and whether getting an evaluation will be helpful to you.
Who Conducts Autism Evaluations for Adults?
A psychologist or a psychiatrist completes an evaluation if they have specialized training in autism.
Certain master’s degree-level mental health professionals can also receive training in psychological assessments and autism.
Where to Find a Professional Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults
Many providers list their services on various directory websites to help potential clients find them and determine if they are a good fit. Those with expertise in diagnosing autism will typically list this on their profiles or professional websites.
Neuroclastichas a diagnostician directory andEmbrace Autismoffers empirically validated assessments online as well as self-assessments.
Neurodiversity-Affirming OrganizationsAutistic Women and Nonbinary NetworkNeuroclasticAutistic Self Advocacy NetworkTherapist Neurodiversity CollectiveEmbrace AutismInclusive Therapists
Neurodiversity-Affirming Organizations
Autistic Women and Nonbinary NetworkNeuroclasticAutistic Self Advocacy NetworkTherapist Neurodiversity CollectiveEmbrace AutismInclusive Therapists
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network
Neuroclastic
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective
Embrace Autism
Inclusive Therapists
Typically, when seeking anautism diagnosis, an individual completes a psychological evaluation that includes gathering detailed information about their history, early development, relationships, behaviors, symptoms, and difficulties.
Most Autism Diagnoses Are Geared Toward Children Rather Than Adults
Many measures developed to evaluate for symptoms of autism focus on early childhood. Measures to assess forautismin early childhood are typically not normed for adults, meaning they cannot be administered to someone over the age of 18.
What Happens When an Adult Wants to Be Evaluated for Autism?
When an adult is being evaluated for autism, the evaluator must use age-appropriate measures. These measures may include:
How Does a Psychological Evaluation Work?
Barriers That Make It More Challenging for Adults to Receive an Autism Diagnosis
Many providers specializing in autism and who conduct autism evaluations specialize in working with children or teens.
Some Mental Health Professional Will Recommend Pediatric Doctors
In fact, many resources for finding a provider who can diagnose autism discuss seeking out developmental pediatricians or others who specialize in young children.
Health Insurance May Not Cover an Autism Evaluation for Adults
Often,health insurancepolicies will not cover autism evaluations for adults, or providers might not accept insurance due to low reimbursement rates or difficulty obtaining coverage for these evaluations. This means that clients must pay out-of-pocket, and in the United States, an autism evaluation typically costs between $800 and $5,000.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Are Very HighAn autism evaluation typically costs between $800 and $5,000.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Are Very High
An autism evaluation typically costs between $800 and $5,000.
It Can Be More Difficult to Detect Autism in Adults
In addition, some providers struggle to identify autism in adults accurately. Many clients aremisdiagnosedor get a false negative (meaning they are told that they are not autistic when they actually are).
Evaluation Processes Have BarriersFalse negatives can occur because the assessments that evaluate for autism do not always account for masking or what autism can look like in various populations.Specifically, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color are often overlooked in autism research, as well as those who are notcisgenderboys or men.
Evaluation Processes Have Barriers
False negatives can occur because the assessments that evaluate for autism do not always account for masking or what autism can look like in various populations.Specifically, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color are often overlooked in autism research, as well as those who are notcisgenderboys or men.
Due to the barriers that make autism evaluations inaccessible to many adults, many in the autistic community have embraced self-diagnosing or self-identifying.
Many Adults Self-Identify as Austistic
What’s It Like to be Diagnosed With Autism as an Adult? New Research Takes a Closer Look
Be Aware of Autism Stigma
Many autistic people facestigmaand discrimination related to their diagnosis.Because of this, some may choose not to get an evaluation that would lead to the diagnosis being entered into their medical record.
Consider Any Disabilities You Might Have
Conversely, many autistic people are disabled and might require support, including financial resources, due to being unable to work full-time or in a supportive living environment.
To Attain Certain Services You May Need an Official DiagnosisThese individuals need an official diagnosis in their record in order to access services. Similarly, autistic adults who are in school might need a diagnosis in order to receiveacademic accommodations.
To Attain Certain Services You May Need an Official Diagnosis
These individuals need an official diagnosis in their record in order to access services. Similarly, autistic adults who are in school might need a diagnosis in order to receiveacademic accommodations.
A Word From VeryWell
Living With Autism Spectrum Disorder
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Conner CM, Cramer RD, McGonigle JJ.Examining the diagnostic validity of autism measures among adults in an outpatient clinic sample.Autism in Adulthood. 2019;1(1):60-68.
Wigham S, Rodgers J, Berney T, Le Couteur A, Ingham B, Parr JR.Psychometric properties of questionnaires and diagnostic measures for autism spectrum disorders in adults: A systematic review.Autism. 2019;23(2):287-305.
Wei, S.Autism Screening Cost Without Insurance.
Kaufman NK.Rethinking “gold standards” and “best practices” in the assessment of autism.Applied Neuropsychology: Child. 2022;11(3):529-540.
Mallipeddi NV, VanDaalen RA.Intersectionality within critical autism studies: a narrative review.Autism in Adulthood. Published online November 24, 2021:aut.2021.0014.
Botha M, Dibb B, Frost DM.“Autism is me”: an investigation of how autistic individuals make sense of autism and stigma.Disability & Society. 2022;37(3):427-453.
World Health Organization.Autism Spectrum Disorders: Fact Sheet.
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