Adult Autism Assessment in NYC

Comprehensive diagnostic services and Autism testing in the Flatiron district

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, so it’s most often assessed and diagnosed in young people. However, adults may also receive this diagnosis if they were never given the opportunity to receive ASD evaluation during their childhood. As a spectrum disorder, ASD can present in a variety of ways. For this reason, professional assessment is necessary to receive an accurate diagnosis.

I’m Dr. Daniel Clark, a licensed psychologist, and I offer autism spectrum disorder testing for adults at Park West Psychology. You can keep reading to learn more about what ASD is and the assessment process.

"Getting diagnosed with autism was simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring. Heartbreaking to confirm a lifetime of difficulties, yet inspiring to know I'm not just fundamentally flawed."

Sara Hendrich, Autistic Entrepreneur

"My diagnosis helped me rewrite my life story. I stopped blaming myself for differences and found tools to help me thrive as an autistic person."

Jeanette Purkis, autism advocate

What Is ASD?

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It effects individuals differently based on their unique experiences, symptoms, and life context. These differences vary dramatically from person to person, so testing is essential to confirm a diagnosis, develop greater self-awareness, and find any beneficial support services that can make daily life a little easier.

As a neurodevelopmental disorder, ASD is often diagnosed in children. However, our knowledge of what ASD is and how it presents has grown exponentially over the last several decades. Many adults who display signs of neurodiversity may not have received a diagnosis earlier in life due to a lack of understanding of the myriad effects of ASD when they were children. Others, usually those who have milder symptoms, are not diagnosed as children, and they learn to mask the way that ASD affects them over time. Neurodevelopmental differences have very specific presentations in childhood, but adult symptoms can be more difficult to define. This is why assessment is so important.

Common ASD Symptoms in Adults

If you’re considering ASD testing, some of the most common ASD symptoms in adults include:

  • Struggles with communication.

  • Difficulty reading social cues.

  • Struggling to understand your own or others’ emotions

  • Failure to recognize tone in conversation (taking things too literally).

  • Social anxiety.

  • Trouble navigating changes in daily routine as well as larger life transitions.

  • Inability to focus on subjects they don’t find interesting.

  • Fixation on specific subjects of interest.

  • Health concerns, including sleep disorders and stomach troubles.

Benefits Of An Autism Evaluation for Adults

People everywhere seem to be talking about autism these days. The increased attention to the condition in our cultural mind has resulted in many people learning their lifelong struggles were due to autism. Many of these folks have had trouble with socializing, sensory vulnerabilities, and emotional challenges and have internalized these feelings. That’s a fancy way of saying they have blamed themselves, their parents, their personalities (or some combination) for characteristics and habits they were born with. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified professional is an important first step in shedding years of shame, growing greater acceptance for your strengths and weaknesses, and starting on a journey of self-improvement.

In an age of self-diagnosis, you might wonder whether you truly need a comprehensive evaluation. There are several reasons why the answer is yes. First, autism is sometimes obvious, but the symptoms are often more subtle than many expect. Second, although many qualities to autism are recognizable, like difficulties socializing, these symptoms are shared with many other, more common diagnoses, such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety. Seeing a qualified professional for an evaluation can help you to feel confident knowing that your diagnosis was valid. Knowing the source for your symptoms is critical in pursuing the right support and treatment. For instance, sensory sensitivity is often experienced by people with autism and those with PTSD - but treatment and support for autism and PTSD is very different. By taking a holistic view of your mental health in a comprehensive evaluation, you can feel more confident that you are seeking the support that is right for you. 

The ASD Assessment Process for Adults

I find it can be both easier and more difficult to assess ASD in adults. It’s easier because I can have a lengthy conversation with adults and dig deeper into symptoms and struggles that may indicate an ASD diagnosis. It’s more difficult because many adults have learned to disguise their symptoms to blend in the neurotypical world. You may hear this referred to as masking. The goal of ASD assessment in adults is to peel back that mask and truly see how the person engages with the world around them.

I accomplish this with a thorough, clinical assessment process. ASD assessment for adults starts with an intake session. We’ll go over family and personal health history, academic performance, professional performance, relationships, and a variety of other subjects that may expose signs of ASD. From there, I will often use rating scales administered to the client as well as a close friend, parent, or romantic partner. These scales ask the individual and their loved one to rate the severity of certain symptoms. I will also administer standardized tests to gauge intelligence, concentration, and a variety of other factors. Once testing is completed, we’ll meet for a final session to go through the results, and I’ll provide a full report of my findings.

Next Steps After Autism Assessment

At Park West Psychology, one of our aims is to provide practical next steps for individuals who come for an evaluation - even those who don’t have autism. We help you determine if therapy is right for you, identify the most effective treatment approaches to jump-start results, and understand how to maintain those changes over time.

We are proudly up-to-date on best practices in autism treatment, ensuring that we are also aware of treatments and products that may not benefit you in the long run or could be detrimental to your health. Reach out today for a free consultation regarding support for suspected (or confirmed) autism.

Let’s Get Started

As a licensed psychologist, I offer ASD testing to help adults better understand themselves. By increasing self-awareness, ASD assessment provides answers to questions adults have about how they interact with others as well as struggles they have in personal, professional, or academic settings. Learning more about who you are through assessment allows you to take strides toward becoming who you want to be. When you’re ready to get started, please don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation at Park West Psychology You by calling (562) 314-1999, via email info@parkwestpscyhology.com, or using my online inquiry form.