Adult ADHD & Autism Evaluations
Chicago & Illinois (Telehealth)
Many adults who begin considering an evaluation have already spent a long time researching:
Reading articles late at night.
Taking screening quizzes.
Recognizing pieces of themselves in descriptions of ADHD or autism.
Sometimes people arrive fairly certain something fits.
Other times they’re still unsure and hoping to make sense of confusing patterns.
Either way, the goal of an evaluation is clarity. A deep dive that goes beyond what online quizzes and social media testimonials can provide.
Because ADHD and autism frequently overlap — and many adults identify with aspects of both — the evaluation looks carefully at patterns across your life that may relate to either condition, rather than focusing narrowly on just one. The goal is to rule out as much as it is to hone in.
The purpose of an evaluation isn’t simply to assign a label, though sometimes that alone can be a relief.
It’s to develop a clear and thoughtful understanding of how your brain works — and what that might mean for your life going forward.
What This Evaluation Involves
This evaluation is a structured clinical diagnostic evaluation designed to determine whether ADHD, autism, or both may be present.
Before we meet, you’ll complete a set of standardized screening questionnaires and rating scales that focus on ADHD and autistic traits, along with a couple of broader measures that help capture other patterns that may be relevant.
We then meet for a 90–120 minute diagnostic interview, where we look carefully at patterns across your life — both developmentally and in your current day-to-day functioning.
Our conversation will explore areas such as:
• early childhood patterns
• school and work experiences
• relationships and social dynamics
• sensory sensitivities or overwhelm
• attention, organization, and executive functioning
• emotional regulation and stress responses
It is common that the patterns themselves have been present for years — they just haven’t been clearly connected yet.
The goal of the evaluation is to look at those patterns together and determine whether they fit with ADHD, autism, both, or another explanation.
You’ll leave the process with a written summary report, along with recommendations and practical next steps based on what we find. Some clients continue on to therapy for bespoke, in depth help, while others feel complete with the evaluation and its recommendations for ongoing support.
Is this the same as neuropsychological testing?
No. In some situations, a full neuropsychological evaluation may be recommended instead of a clinical diagnostic evaluation. Let me explain:
Neuropsychological testing typically involves several hours of cognitive assessment measuring areas such as memory, processing speed, attention, and learning. They must occur in-person for behavioral observation.
These evaluations are usually conducted by licensed clinical neuropsychologists or psychologists with specialized training in neuropsychological assessment.
They are often required when there are also questions about:
• learning disabilities
• cognitive impairment or neurological conditions
• disability documentation (such as SSDI or long-term disability claims)
• certain academic accommodations that require cognitive testing
Neuropsychological evaluations are typically more extensive and may cost several thousand dollars, depending on the scope of testing and reporting involved.
For many adults exploring ADHD or autism later in life, however, this level of testing simply isn’t necessary. When the primary goal is diagnosis, a deeper understanding of patterns in daily life and functioning, and guidance around next steps for support, a clinical diagnostic evaluation is usually the right fit.
The Evaluation Process
The evaluation is structured but conversational, and typically includes a few key components
Screening Questionnaires
Before we meet, you’ll complete a set of standardized screening measures that help highlight patterns related to ADHD, autism, and other relevant areas.
Diagnostic Interview (90–120 minutes)
We meet via telehealth for an in-depth conversation about your experiences across different stages of life, including developmental history, relationships, work patterns, and day-to-day functioning.
Clinical Review and Feedback
After reviewing the information gathered, we meet again to discuss the findings, diagnostic impressions, and what they may mean in the context of your life.
Written Summary Report
You’ll receive a written report summarizing diagnostic impressions, key patterns identified during the evaluation, and recommendations for next steps.
After the Evaluation
For many people, the most meaningful part of the evaluation is the waning of confusion, the relief in validation, or the unburdening that comes with answers that make sense.
Patterns that have felt confusing or frustrating for years often begin to come into clearer focus. Experiences that once felt like personal shortcomings can start to look more like understandable outcomes of the way your brain works.
At the same time, the evaluation isn’t only about understanding the past. It’s also about helping you think more clearly about what could be helpful going forward.
The feedback conversation covers both — making sense of the patterns we’ve identified and discussing practical next steps that might support you in daily life.
For some people, that clarity is enough on its own.
Others decide they’d like continued support — whether that means therapy, exploring strategies for executive functioning, discussing medication with a physician, or making adjustments in work or daily life.
Either way, the goal of the evaluation is not simply to arrive at a diagnosis, but to leave with a clearer understanding of yourself and a practical sense of what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. When appropriate, this process can result in a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or both using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
You’ll receive a written summary report outlining diagnostic impressions, relevant patterns, and recommendations for next steps.
-
There’s a saying amongst neurodivergence specialists: “ADHD rarely rides alone.” It is a disorder well known to be co-morbid with other conditions. Autism is one of them.
These two forms of neurodivergence frequently co-occur and share many overlapping features, while also having important differences. Looking at both together often leads to a more accurate and useful understanding than evaluating them in isolation.
Sometimes the evaluation confirms ADHD, autism, or both. Other times, patterns that initially seemed related to neurodivergence will be better explained by factors such as trauma, anxiety, or chronic stress.
The goal is not to force a diagnosis, but to arrive at the clearest understanding of what fits.
-
The fee for an Adult ADHD & Autism Evaluation is $1200.
The fee includes:
• review of intake questionnaires and background information
• a 90–120 minute diagnostic interview
• scoring and interpretation of screening measures
• clinical review of patterns across your history
• a feedback session discussing findings and recommendations
• preparation of a written summary reportMuch of the work happens outside of our meetings, as I review the information gathered and consider the patterns that emerge across different areas of your life.
-
Sometimes, yes.
Some physicians are comfortable using a clinical diagnostic evaluation as part of their decision-making around ADHD medication. Others may request additional documentation.
Similarly, some workplaces or schools may accept a clinical diagnostic report, while others require more formal neuropsychological testing.
If you know you need documentation for a very specific purpose, I recommend check their requirements in advance.
-
That’s still useful information.
Sometimes the evaluation confirms ADHD, autism, or both. Other times, it becomes clearer that other factors, such as anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress may be at play.
Either way, the goal is a more accurate understanding of what you’ve been experiencing and what kinds of support are likely to be most helpful.
-
Yes. The full process is conducted via telehealth for adults located in Illinois or California.
Considering an Evaluation?
If you’re wondering whether an evaluation would be helpful, a brief consultation can help clarify whether it’s the right next step.