Autism Testing
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Autism Testing
Are You Seeking Explanations For Lifelong Social Difficulties?
Do you frequently feel excluded and have trouble making friends? Have you always found social situations overstimulating and struggled to adapt to routine changes? Are you the parent of a teenager who is falling behind their peers in terms of academic success or life milestones, and you don’t know how to help them?
Maybe you tend to have intense interests that others don’t share or engage in repetitive behaviors to self-soothe when you’re overwhelmed. You might feel out of place while socializing, especially if you struggle to make eye contact or read body language. Or perhaps you are exhausted by trying to hide these traits at work or in school, and your lack of energy makes it hard to keep up with self-care routines and domestic responsibilities at home.
Many People With Autism Feel “Different” Without Understanding Why
Adults and teenagers with undiagnosed autism might spend years questioning why their peers seem to move through life with ease while they struggle to make small talk, find or keep a job, keep up with social niceties, or form friendships or romantic relationships. As a result, they may have a low sense of self-worth and wonder how they can find a sense of belonging.
If you’ve recently learned more about common autism symptoms, you may have been surprised by how well these descriptions summed up the challenges you or your teen have been facing. Now, you’re interested in completing an evaluation to gain much-needed answers and figure out the root cause of these issues.
Through autism testing, you can validate your experiences, identify your specific strengths and skill areas where you need assistance, and access support services and accommodations that will help you thrive.
People With Autism Often Struggle To Receive An Accurate Diagnosis
Some people with autism are diagnosed as children, and as a result, they might have access to early interventions and support services from a young age. However, people with autism who do not have intellectual disabilities often go undiagnosed until later in life, often after researching potential causes for their symptoms on their own.
An individual who was misdiagnosed or unable to access testing may attribute their symptoms to a different mental health condition and receive inadequate treatment as a result. In recent years, an increased awareness around autism has helped people recognize these traits in themselves or their loved ones, prompting them to seek evaluations.
Autism Can Present Challenges In Every Aspect Of Life
It can be difficult for someone with undiagnosed autism to build a fulfilling adult life, as they often lack the specialized resources and accommodations necessary to support their needs. Adults and teens with undiagnosed autism often grapple with social communication difficulties that leave them feeling isolated and misunderstood or become overwhelmed by professional demands due to poor executive functioning skills. They might misinterpret their own behaviors, have trouble advocating for themselves, and lose friendships because of ongoing misunderstandings.
Comprehensive, modern assessments like the MIGDAS-2 can better identify autism in adults and teenagers who exhibit social and emotional symptoms but do not struggle with intellectual disabilities. An assessment can help adults with autism understand that they are not alone, and their sensory sensitivities, processing differences, and intense interests are actually shared by many people with the same diagnosis or other forms of neurodivergence.
Autism Testing Can Help You Chart A Path Forward
At Channeling Growth Therapy, we offer the MIGDAS-2 autism assessment to adults as well as adolescents from age 12 and up. This is a highly effective tool for accurately diagnosing autism and determining clients’ specific strengths and areas for growth.
This evaluation involves activities that will allow our team to evaluate symptoms and skills including sensory processing, executive functioning, and social communication. These results can be used to determine appropriate workplace accommodations and educational support needs, and autism trait identification can enhance your personal self-understanding.
In addition to providing testing for people who have never pursued an autism assessment previously, we also offer re-evaluations to those who are concerned they may have been misdiagnosed during an assessment with a former provider.
What To Expect During The Autism Assessment Process
Prior to testing, we will provide autism self-assessments to clients, which we request that they complete and bring to their first session. Clients should also bring completed intake forms, the results of any previous assessments, medical records, and important documents regarding their mental health history—as well as a list of their current concerns and questions when they begin testing.
Clients can expect the primary evaluation session to last about two to three hours. Parents may join teen clients for part of the session, but they will complete most testing activities on their own. The initial consultation, testing process, and feedback session typically takes about two to three weeks.
Finding Services And Support After Autism Testing
We provide clients with preliminary feedback at the end of the evaluation session and present you with a full testing report within 2 weeks of completing the evaluation. If you are interested in requesting reasonable accommodations at work or in school for yourself or your child, we can help you determine the correct point of contact and equip you with the necessary documentation.
At Channeling Growth Therapy, we assist autism testing clients in accessing ongoing support services after they receive a diagnosis. We have therapists who specialize in autism on staff at our practice, and we can also provide referrals to external therapists if necessary.
Through autism testing, you can deepen your self-awareness and gain self-compassion. With an accurate diagnosis and specialized support services, you can learn how to manage sensory and executive functioning challenges, advocate for yourself, achieve success in academic and professional paths aligned with your abilities, and build stronger relationships.
But You May Still Have Questions About Autism Testing…
Will I face negative judgment for seeking an autism evaluation?
Our evaluation services are confidential. We provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for people of all ages throughout the autism testing process and while providing support services after testing is complete. By pursuing testing, you can better understand yourself and improve your quality of life.
I’m worried that I don’t have enough time to complete the assessment and attend therapy afterwards.
We can adjust the testing to suit your needs, including spacing out sessions or administering the entire test in a single, longer session. Additionally, you can send us information about your specific symptoms online if digital communication is more efficient for you. Once you’ve finished testing, we can work with you to schedule therapy sessions while avoiding conflicts with your other commitments.
I’m concerned that the evaluation and ongoing support will be too expensive.
We charge $450 for autism assessments, and it may be completely covered depending on your health insurance plan. We are in-network with numerous major insurance companies, including United Healthcare, UMR, Optum, Sutter, Cigna, Evernorth, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield California, Carelon, Gold Coast, LA Care, as well as several Employee Assistance Plans, such as Modern Health, Spring Health, and Optum.
You Can Learn More About Your Unique Needs Through Autism Testing
If you suspect that you or your child may be struggling with sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, or understanding social norms because of autism, testing can help you find clarity. To book a free 15-minute consultation or schedule your first testing appointment, we invite you to fill out the contact form on our website or call our office at 408-634-6506.
