Diagnostic Evaluations for ADHD & Autism
Your lived experience is valid. You are seen and valued here.
We are currently in the process of restructuring our evaluations and will only be accepting clients on a waitlist basis. We are happy to refer out to NeuroSpark Health.
There are a lot of reasons why we might seek help exploring a possible diagnosis related to ADHD and Autism. However, there are also many barriers to accessing those services including but not limited to:
Outdated research, limited training, and misunderstandings around diagnosis for marginalized groups
High cost
Long waitlists
Stigma
Non-affirming providers.
FAQs
Who will I be working with?
You will meet with a fully licensed LCSW level clinician with up-to-date training on the research of how ADHD and Autism present differently than we once believed, and what diagnosis can look like across a variety of populations. Not only will your clinician be openly neurodivergent and informed by lived experience, but will also have an affirming approach to your diagnosis and care.
Will I always get a diagnosis at the end of the evaluation?
You will first attend an intake appointment before doing the evaluation. During that appointment, your clinician will explore whether a referral for neuropsychological testing is more appropriate for your unique case. In some cases, clients may be recommended to schedule an additional 1 hour session to perform additional screening assessments for other diagnoses, but you will be fully informed in the intake if that is the case. Our evaluator will do their very best to give you a firm answer at the conclusion of the evaluation, as well as suggested next steps for support, however, a diagnosis cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that these are diagnostic clinical interviews, which are different than neuropsychological testing.
Diagnostic clinical interviews, while thorough and an excellent tool for diagnosis, are not as comprehensive as neuropsychological testing. Many entities will accept a diagnosis via this method, but you should still confirm this before scheduling your appointment.
A full neuropsychological evaluation is encouraged if you have several issues, like medical conditions, learning disabilities, etc. that are co-occurring and would necessitate more comprehensive tools for diagnosis.
The average cost for comprehensive neuropsychological testing can range from $700-$3000, while our diagnostic interviews are $485 for a 90 minute appointment (plus the intake) and are designed with accessibility in mind for individuals who are primarily seeking a diagnosis for the purpose of self-exploration. Additional exploration of possible co-occurring disorders, which might come up in your interview, can be explored in additional (optional) appointments based on your results.
Clinician:
Emily Oliver, LCSW (she/her)
Emily is the owner of Inner Lakes Therapy, and conducts our in-house diagnostic clinical interviews for ADHD and Autism. Emily is neurodivergent herself, and an LCSW-level therapist who specializes in the intersections between neurodiversity, complex trauma, and the experiences of historically marginalized populations (such as women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and BIPOC) within an affirming, social-justice oriented framework. Emily is also the author of the ADHD & Autism Unmasking Workbook.
Emily’s presence is warm, validating, and grounding, and she prioritizes making you feel seen and understood, and providing a non-judgmental space.
Please note that Emily specializes in these areas for individuals over 17 years of age.
We will be exploring the option of adding other clinicians to provide this service to expand access to children/teens in the near future.
