A Neurodivergent- Affirming Approach to Assessment
What to know about Assessing for Neurodivergence
Not all assessment is created equal- you are likely looking for a neurodivergent affirming assessment experience! You can receive a formal ADHD or Autism diagnosis from a medical doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a neurologist, or me- an LPC (licensed professional counselor)! The way each of these clinicians assess for ADHD and Autism is different. Certain clinicians, like psychologists and psychiatrists have special privileges to administer more rigorous assessments, but these also come with higher costs. To learn more about an LPC’s ability to diagnosis autism, click here.
As an LPC, I use both interview-based assessments as well a psychometric self-report assessments to help us get the best picture of what is going on for you. I also require a report from a source besides yourself- preferably a parent, but a spouse, close friend, or other family member will work, too.
I have gained experience through various trainings, books, and experiences with neurodivergent clients. I am neurodivergent myself and also draw from my personal experiences to make the assessment process less scary and more normalized.
Neurodivergence-affirming assessment means that I do not view ADHD or Autism as a “deficit” ( that there is something wrong or missing). Many past approaches to neurodivergence aim to fix or eliminate “symptoms” and to conform to our neurotypical world. To learn more about neurodivergence-affirming ideas, click here. I am careful to look for missed signs in women and non-binary folks, and am always aware of the presence of masking and will try to help you open up about your personal masking skills.
Formal vs Informal Assessment
Formal Assessment means your diagnosis is being documented formally through an extensive written report that includes a diagnostic code. This report can help you access medication interventions when appropriate, and it can also be used to access accommodations in a university setting. It cannot be used to file for SSID or ADA disability status.
Informal assessment means there will be no papertrail that includes a diagnostic code. This is best for folks who want to pursue an assessment without having it attached to any formal records. I offer this for autism assessment due to uncertainty with our current political climate and presidential administration. I do not offer any kind of formal assessment for autism at this time- you will not receive a report that can be used in any of the above settings.
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