Autism Testing for Adults and Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is about more than just "social awkwardness." It is a fundamental difference in how you process the world, connect with others, and experience sensory input.
At Ellison Psychological Services, we look beyond the stereotypes. We provide comprehensive, neuro-affirming evaluations to determine if your experiences are consistent with Autism—helping you or your child move from confusion to self-understanding.
Is it Autism? (Signs & Symptoms)
For Children & Teens:
- Social Differences: Challenges with "unwritten" social rules, such as taking turns, understanding sarcasm, or reading subtle body language.
- Sensory Sensitivities: Strong reactions to specific textures, sounds, or lights—or conversely, a high tolerance for pain or temperature.
- Deeply Focused Interests: Intense, encyclopedic knowledge of specific topics (e.g., vehicles, animals, statistics) that brings joy but may dominate play.
- Need for Predictability: Significant distress when routines change unexpectedly or a strong preference for things to be "just so."
For Adults:
- Masking & Adaptation: A lifelong habit of observing and copying others to fit in, often leading to deep exhaustion or burnout after social events.
- Direct Communication: A preference for honest, literal conversation and a tendency to find "small talk" or vague instructions confusing.
- Sensory Overload: Finding open-plan offices, bright lights, or chaotic environments physically draining or impossible to filter out.
- Feeling "Out of Sync": A persistent sense of being different from peers, despite years of effort to connect or perform socially.
Our Testing Process
- Clinical Interview: We start by exploring your developmental history (milestones, early behaviors) and your current lived experience. For adults, we discuss the "internal" experience of autism that others might not see.
- Data from Multiple Settings: We gather perspectives from those who know the client best—parents, teachers, or partners. This helps us see if social and sensory differences are impacting different areas of life.
- Evidence-Based Testing Measures: We utilize evidence-based tools specifically designed for Autism (such as the ADOS-2 or MIGDAS-2). These allow us to observe social communication styles and sensory processing in real-time.
- Differential Diagnosis: Autism often co-occurs with (or looks like) ADHD, Social Anxiety, or OCD. We use broad clinical screeners to untangle these overlaps, ensuring your diagnosis explains the root cause rather than just the symptoms.
The Outcome: What You Get
A diagnosis is only the starting point. Your feedback session includes a comprehensive written report with specific, targeted recommendations tailored to your unique profile.
- Customized Strategy: We provide actionable strategies for home, school, and work that respect your neurotype rather than trying to "fix" it.
- School Accommodations: Documentation that can be useful in developing IEP or 504 Plans (e.g., sensory breaks, clear communication preferences, access to quiet spaces).
- Workplace Advocacy: Strategies and documentation to secure reasonable accommodations, such as modified workspaces, written vs. verbal instructions, or noise-reduction tools.
- Service Recommendations: Specific guidance on beneficial support services, such as Occupational Therapy (OT) for sensory regulation, Speech Therapy for pragmatic communication, or neuro-affirming counseling to address burnout.
Scheduling & Coverage
- Speed: We typically schedule evaluations within weeks, bypassing the 6-12 month waitlists common at other practices.
- Depth: Insurance often limits the scope of testing. We take the time necessary to assess complex cases, including "High-Masking" individuals (often women or high-achieving adults) who are frequently missed by brief screenings.
- Privacy: Your testing data and diagnosis remain confidential and are not automatically shared with insurance databases or employers.
- Insurance: For pediatric autism evaluations, we are in-network with Aetna, the NC State Health Plan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS); superbills are available for out-of-network plans.