So, I think I’m Autistic.

Client: So, I think I’m Autistic.

Therapist: Is that a question, or are you asking me something?

Client: Neither, just giving information. I saw a TikTok where a creator decided to get an Autism assessment, and she took us along for the ride. I’m surprised at how much I related to her life experience and the way she sees the world and interacts with it. That got me thinking about having an autism assessment myself.

Therapist: Ok. That makes sense. Let’s get you some information on how to get started and let’s discuss what this process actually looks like. Good for you for recognizing this in yourself and wanting to explore it.

This is a conversation clients are having in therapists’ offices all around the world, and I think it is absolutely beautiful. People are learning from others’ lived experiences as we have more access to witness life through other people’s worldviews now more than we have ever before. This is causing an uptick in self-curiosity, self-exploration, and ultimately more Autistic identity and expression on the Internet.

Autism Neuroaffirming Assessment

For a lot of adults who suspect they may be Autistic, testing may not ever happen. The obstacles in the way of getting tested seem insurmountable at times when the tests are expensive, the practitioners are hard to find for adults, and no one can seem to tell you what the benefit of an Autism diagnosis as an adult will actually be. This makes it hard to make a clear decision about if an assessment is for you.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to drop thousands of dollars on something that equates to someone telling me stuff about me that I already know. This assessment has to carry value for me to pursue it. As an Autism assessor myself, I completely understand the reasons someone would and wouldn’t want to get an Autism assessment.

The pros are hefty:

You get to learn about yourself in new ways with a collaboration with an expert on Autism
You find new ways to validate your Autistic identity
You can give yourself grace and kindness as you’re moving forward with this new identity
It can be helpful to legitimize yourself in your head as an “actually Autistic” person because the dude with the white coat said that you were

On the flip side the cons have merit too:

Having your Autism diagnosis on paper somewhere floating out in the world may not be the greatest thing to do in the current political climate of the USA
As much as the Autism community has tirelessly tried to normalize Autism in all forms including late diagnosed adult Autistics, we still have a long way to go
Learning that you’re Autistic and letting people know may not go the way you’d hope it would. There are still heavy stigmas around mental health and even heavier stigmas around Autism and who gets to have it and who doesn't.

What Are You Searching For?

Also, there is a caveat: self-diagnosis or self-identification in the Autism community is 1000 % valid. You are exactly who you think you are, whoever that may be. You don’t need to go through a lengthy evaluation to tell you things about yourself. If you are going to do an autism assessment, I would make sure that your reasoning for it matches the output that you get from said assessment.

If you’re looking for:

Accommodations for work
To be evaluated for Social Security disability
Information to give loved ones so that they can know how to best help you based on your neurotype
information about the parts of you that display Autism the most, and why and how it affects your daily life

Then getting an Autism assessment could be to your benefit. Your expectations match what the assessment is meant to do: affirm and inform.

So, you made up your mind? Great! An assessment it is for you then! First step is to find an assessor in your state who works with adult Autistics. Tests for kids and adults are different, so this is important. I use the term assessor instead of psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist/counselor since it has to be a specific classification of clinician based on the state you live in, and every state has different rules on who can assess you. The important part is that your assessor is knowledgeable in the latest research on Autism, neurodivergence, presentation in BIPOC women, POC, and Autism in other cultures than their own.

Why A Neurodiversity And Culture Expert Matters

In finding a qualified assessor, www.NDtherapist.com is a great site to look on to see who is doing assessments in your state. All the clinicians on that site are neurodivergent themselves as well as specializing in working with neurodivergent clients. Lived experience or a close connection with Autism is beneficial due to the research on what Autism involves is ever-changing, and someone who is neurodivergent will have a more similar experience to you that does not wholly rely on what they are studying in books and trainings about Autism.

After you find a few potential candidates, then I would look at their biographies and make sure their experiences line up with your demographics. For example, I am a black woman Autistic and for my evaluation, I would choose someone who is well versed in the experience of being black and well versed in the experience of being a woman because all of my experiences of my life are colored by my Autism and need to be respected as such. A good assessor will not ignore the impact culture has on your Autistic expression and how culture shapes the ways in which you mask and unmask in this world.

After you make the initial appointment usually a few things will happen.

They will send you some forms to fill out to get more information about how you think and how you experience sensory stimuli, emotional regulation, and communication
You will have interviews with your assessor either in person or via video call for them to be able to gather data for your assessment
After however many sessions and however many papers you fill out, the assessor deems that it is time to come back together and review those results
You conclude the process they say congrats you’re Autistic! Welcome to the club, we’ve got jackets.

Then you go on your merry way to live life as Autistically as you possibly can. But wait….*Que the next set of questions* …..ok so I’m Autistic now what? (Disclaimer: Assessments do not always end in an Autism diagnosis but most people don’t falsely identify with Autism. The percentage of people who think they are probably Autistic and the people who end up being Autistic are very highly correlated.)

…..Ok, So I’m Autistic. Now What?

Before the end of your results session, some general referrals should be given as needed for psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists, books, Internet creators with lived experience that you can follow to start building community, and an action plan with your sensory, communication, and emotional needs being met at the highest level, so the real work can begin. Finding out you are Autistic is the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath is the grief and relief process of understanding the ways in which your Autism gifts you with your strengths and struggles in this neurotypical-coded global environment.

You will feel relief in knowing who you are, or at least where to start on your self-exploration journey. You will also feel grief for all of the hard times you unnecessarily endured by not understanding your neurotype. Apologies are in order, directed to your younger self for not knowing and beating themselves up. Apologies are in order from your caregivers for all of the times they told you to “live up to your potential” when you couldn’t even identify why you were doing the things you were doing. Some people avoid a diagnostic assessment altogether due to wanting to keep away from this process, and that is ok. It can be a hard, rewarding, frustrating, liberating, empowering, and sad road to travel.

Bottom line: assessments are expensive pieces of paper. Only you can decide if they are a worthy piece of your Autistic journey. Many Autistic adults have decided to go through the formal testing process, and many have not, and both are right in their decisions.

Are you a late-diagnosed Autistic adult? Chime in in the comments about your own Autism assessment experience if you feel like sharing. We would love to hear from you.

About the Author

Meghan Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Texas. She provides space where people can be their full selves and explore who they are destined to become. She focuses on empowering people to learn to better understand themselves, with a focus on women, adult Autistics, and people of color. Throughout her career, Meghan has worked with clients identifying, celebrating, and maintaining their authenticity. You can contact Meghan at her therapy website www.Mperfectconsulting.com, and you can visit her space for Autistic adults at www.adaptingtoAutism.com.

Adult Autism Assessments: the process