Neurodivergence and Trauma Counseling offers brief/focused ADHD and Autism Assessments for older teens and adults that are a lower-cost alternative to a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

We also provide referrals to trusted providers for clients who would be better served by a more comprehensive assessment.

Why get assessed?

These assessments support self-understanding and can aid in guiding the therapeutic process. Diagnosis can be used to advocate for necessary accommodations in the workplace or at educational institutions. An ADHD diagnosis can also be used to access appropriate medication from your medication provider.

The results of this assessment cannot be used to apply for government benefits, as an assessment by a psychologist is required for government assistance related to autism.

How does it work?

Prior to meeting with Ash, you will complete the following assessments: ASRS v1.1, Autism Quotient, CAT-Q, RAADS-R and RBQ-2A. You will email pdf files of your results to Ash, and he will review them before your appointment.

You will then meet virtually with Ash for approximately 1 hour. This will be your opportunity to tell your story — you will have time to explain why you decided to get assessed, what makes you think you may be autistic/have ADHD, ect. Ash will then go through the ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder DSM-5 Criteria with you and explore contemporary understanding of each criterion, how it does or doesn’t apply to you now and in childhood, and how it impacts your life now.

After the appointment, Ash will make a diagnosis of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, neither, or both, based on the combined results of your assessments and virtual appointment. You will then receive a signed report with your assessment results, interview results, diagnostic impression, and recommendations for accommodations if needed.

How much does it cost?

The Autism and ADHD evaluation, including the signed diagnostic report, is $400.

Is this covered by insurance?

The initial fee will be out of pocket, as we are a fully out of network practice. A superbill can be provided for the hour-long virtual assessment (code 90791) and some insurance plans may offer some reimbursement. If looking to submit for reimbursement, it is recommended that you discuss your out of network benefits with your insurance company beforehand.

Why is it so much cheaper?

Adult autism assessments typically cost thousands of dollars. There are two reasons our assessments are much cheaper — first is that Ash is a master’s level mental health therapist, not a psychologist.

As addressed in the first question, this does put some limits on what assessment instruments are used, what functioning is explored, and subsequently what resources the diagnosis may be used to access.

The second, and most important reason, is that Ash offers these assessments for even less than a typical “therapist assessment” because he is late- diagnosed AuDHD himself and extremely passionate about making diagnosis accessible.

What if I already have an ADHD diagnosis?

The ADHD piece of the assessment can be omitted if not necessary. This does not change the price as the bulk of the assessment is the autism assessment.

Are you familiar with high-masking/female/PDA profiles?

Yes! Ash is extremely passionate about these profiles of autism and wrote several research papers in graduate school about high-masking/female autism. Ash is also autistic, high-masking, PDA, and assigned-female-at-birth, so he has lived experience with these profiles. Additionally, Ash was trained in Autism and ADHD assessment by Kate McNulty, who is neurodiversity-affirming and discusses assessing for these profiles in the training.

Are you LGBTQ-Affirming?

Yes! Ash is queer and trans-masc, and when not doing autism evaluations he specializes in therapy for the neurodivergent, poly/ENM, and queer communities.

Are you trauma-informed?

Yes, Ash is very familiar with trauma. As a therapist for queer and neurodivergent people, he often says that he didn’t have a choice but to also specialize in trauma, as there is so much trauma within these communities. Ash is also very familiar with how cPTSD can look like Autism and/or ADHD (and vice-versa) and takes this into account during assessment.

What if I am not in Virginia?

Ash is currently only licensed in Virginia, so you must be in Virginia at the time of the virtual interview piece of the assessment. It does not matter where you live, or where you are when you take the pre-interview assessments, so driving into Virginia just for the assessment is an option!

Elizabeth will be able to complete assessments in Maryland soon.

Other questions?

Reach out to Ash at ash@ndtraumacounseling.com or 301-202-4454