Autism Evaluation for Adults
Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychological Assessment
Many adults seek an autism evaluation after years of feeling different, misunderstood, or exhausted by trying to fit into environments that don’t align with how their brain works. You may have learned to mask, overcompensate, or push through challenges—often at significant personal cost. For some, questions about autism emerge later in life, prompted by burnout, mental health concerns, workplace stress, parenting stress or even learning more about neurodiversity.
Dr. Cleveland offers comprehensive autism evaluations for adults, provided by a licensed psychologist, using a neurodiversity-affirming and evidence-based approach. The purpose of evaluation is not to pathologize or reduce your identity to a label, but to provide clarity, understanding, and meaningful, practical guidance.
A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Autism Assessment
Autism is a natural neurological variation, not a deficit or failure to adapt. Many adults pursuing an evaluation have had prior experiences that were invalidating or focused on pathologizing behavior rather than understanding it. A neurodiversity-affirming autism assessment recognizes your strengths and support needs, and respects your lived experience.
The evaluation process is respectful, collaborative, and transparent. You are not expected to perform, prove, or minimize your experiences. The goal is to understand your developmental history, current daily functioning, and the context in which neurodivergent traits show up.
Who Seeks Autism Evaluations
Adults seek autism testing for many reasons, including:
- Longstanding feelings of being different or out of sync
- Chronic burnout or exhaustion from masking
- Social fatigue or differences
- Relationship challenges
- Sensory sensitivities or regulation differences
- Work stress due to communication, sensory, and social differences
- Difficulties with change, transitions, or uncertainty
- Seeking clarity, self-understanding, or validation
- Documentation for accommodations at work or school
You do not need to have everything figured out before scheduling an evaluation. Curiosity and questions are enough.
What an Adult Autism Evaluation Includes
Autism evaluations for adults are comprehensive and individualized. The process integrates multiple sources of information to ensure accuracy, depth, and respect for the complexity of adult presentations—especially for high-masking and late-identified individuals.
An evaluation includes:
- A detailed clinical interview and developmental history
- Autism-specific assessment measures (MIGDAS 2 and SRS-2)
- Review of sensory, social, communication, and cognitive patterns
- Screening for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression
- Consideration of masking, compensation, and adaptive strategies
This holistic approach helps differentiate autism from other experiences while honoring the full picture of who you are.
Clear Feedback and Meaningful Results
Following the evaluation, you receive clear, compassionate feedback in language that is accessible and affirming. If autism is identified, results are framed in a strengths-based manner that supports identity understanding and self-acceptance. If autism is not supported, the evaluation still provides valuable insight into your neurocognitive profile and support needs. Individualized recommendations are provided regardless of findings.
You can expect:
- A comprehensive written psychological evaluation report
- Diagnostic clarification, when appropriate
- Personalized recommendations and resources
- Guidance related to therapy, accommodations, or next steps
- Space to ask questions and process results
The goal is clarity, validation, and direction—not just a diagnosis.
Why Work with a Licensed Psychologist for Autism Testing
Autism assessment in adults requires specialized training, clinical judgment, and an understanding of how autism presents beyond childhood. Dr. Cleveland has over 20 years of experience in autism testing throughout the lifespan. She is a neurodiversity affirming psychologist who ensures your evaluation meets professional standards and is conducted ethically and thoughtfully.
Clients value this evaluation process for being:
- Thorough and individualized
- Neurodiversity-affirming and non-judgmental
- Respectful of late-identified and high-masking adults, especially women
- Clear, organized, and supportive
A Supportive Evaluation Experience
Psychological evaluations can feel intimidating, especially if past assessments were stressful or invalidating. This practice prioritizes creating a calm, predictable, and respectful process, with clear explanations at every step.
You will know what to expect, how information is used, and how results will be shared.
Take the Next Step Toward Understanding
Pursuing an autism evaluation can be a meaningful step toward self-understanding, self-compassion, and access to appropriate support. Whether you are seeking validation, clarity, or documentation for work or school accommodations, a neurodiversity-affirming autism assessment can provide insight that empowers you moving forward.
If you’re ready to schedule an autism evaluation for adults with a licensed psychologist, reaching out is the first step toward understanding your neurodivergent experience with clarity and respect.