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Autism Assessments for Adults

You may have wondered, "Where’s the life manual that I never got?" or
“Why do other diagnoses never quite fit?”  

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Adult autism assessments can help bring clarity and self-understanding.

Autism Assessments Explore

Emotional Experiences

Social Relationships

Interests & Sensory Profiles

Communication

Who's a Candidate For an Autism Assessment?

You may be seeking an autism assessment so you can understand yourself better, strengthen your personal and professional relationships, and improve your self-care. Perhaps you’ve been told you “can’t be autistic because ___” (you have a job or a partner, you make eye contact, etc.), or had previous testing that didn’t identify autism. We’ll talk about camouflaging and masking, and experiences and traits that can be more common in “late-diagnosed” autistic adults. 

 

I’m able to assess you if you’re in New York, Florida, or Vermont.

My Autism Evaluation Process

There’s no single test or standard process for an autism assessment.

 

My process includes a semi-structured interview and some tools (ADOS-2, MIGDAS-2) so I understand your experiences and traits. (Please note that if you expose yourself to diagnostic tools before an assessment, the validity of its results might be affected.)
 

My approach is collaborative so you're actively involved and informed about all the aspects of the process as we go. I try to communicate clearly, be transparent about my assessment process, and reflect back what I’m seeing and hearing to be sure I’m fully understanding you. I’ll encourage you to share your preferences and feedback so I can learn what’s most comfortable for you, and give you opportunities to ask questions, follow up with more information, and contribute your insight.

  • 1. Consultation Call
    This first step will help you to understand the testing process and know what to expect, and helps me to understand your needs so I’ll know if I’m the right person to evaluate you.
  • 2. Testing Sessions
    We’ll meet for two testing sessions - they can both be online, or it can be a hybrid format (one online and one in-person in Manhattan). It's a collaborative process. I’ll ask questions in an interview format to get to know you, focusing on your experiences and traits. It's optional if you'd like me to speak with someone in your life to gather additional information.
  • 3. Discussion & Feedback
    After the testing sessions, I’ll take a few weeks to write a comprehensive report that includes recommendations and resources. Then we’ll meet again to discuss the results and talk about next steps in your life.

What to Expect After the Assessment

I take care to be accurate and thoughtful in my assessment. In your written report, you’ll get resources and recommendations tailored to your needs and goals. This equips you with tools and self-understanding to thrive.

About Dr. Donovan

Black and white headshot of therapist Dr. Elizabeth Donovan. It is in a circular cutout,

It’s so important to find the right fit for an autism assessment. My style is collaborative, strengths-based, and ND-affirming. I specialize in neurodivergence across the lifespan and have a lot of training in a range of assessment tools. I work at understanding an individual's experiences, intersecting identities, and learned strategies that are frequently overlooked (e.g., camouflaging, masking). 

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I have significant experience in neurodevelopment so I’m familiar with how autism and ADHD often coexist. Also I’ve researched child/teen development as well as parenting approaches and expectations across cultures, so when I work with adults I can appreciate why autism may not have been previously considered.

Training & Experience

  • Licensed Psychologist & Certified School Psychologist

  • Advanced Post-Doc Training: Center for Autism & Child Development Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

  • PhD: School Psychology, Kent State University

  • Trained provider in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

  • Private Schools: Director of Counseling and Wellness at a K-12 school in Manhattan, Consulting School Psychologist in a Pre-K in Manhattan, School Psychologist in a K-12 Special Education school in Kuwait, Teaching Assistant in a Pre-K Montessori school in Germany

  • Public Schools: Westchester, NY; Dallas, TX; Cleveland, OH

  • Universities: NYU's Department of Applied Psychology (Clinical Counseling: Graduate Adjunct Professor), Kent State’s School of Education (School Psychology: Graduate Teaching Fellow)

  • Past President, NYSPA's School Division

Getting Started on an Autism Assessment

If you’re ready to explore an autism assessment, you can get in touch below. I’ll reply with more information about the process, and a link to schedule a consultation call. 

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During the consultation call you can tell me about yourself, I’ll talk about my approach, we’ll answer your questions, and you’ll get a sense of what it’d be like to work together. 

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