Autism Evaluations for Children and Adults

Diversity in every sense makes the world a better place!

Autism Assessments

If you or a professional have concerns for autism spectrum disorder, we can tailor an assessment to evaluate for social and communication challenges. Dr. Alessandra Shapiro is trained and research-reliable on the administration of the ADOS, which is considered the “gold standard” of autism assessment. She also specializes in recognizing subtle or atypical presentations of autism. Sometimes the go-to autism assessments, such as the ADOS, are not sensitive enough to pick up on less obvious presentations of autism, particularly in girls and women. In these cases, she handpicks appropriate measures that identify behaviors not easily recognizable. Dr. Shapiro provides assessments for both children and adults.

Autism Evaluations for Adults

The time has come for a paradigm shift when it comes to diagnosing autism. We now understand that many autistic individuals learn to camouflage at a young age, to the point that autism is not even readily observable to their family members or mental health professionals. In these cases, learning about an individual’s subjective experience is how we can uncover and understand their autistic traits. Rating forms from parents, siblings, significant others, and other close informants can be helpful but should not be prioritized over the individual’s subjective experience. Dr. Shapiro’s assessment process for adults gathers information about a client’s inner experience and insight into themselves, seeks to understand client concerns and how inner experience shapes their behavior, and is neuro-affirming with a focus on strengths and building trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the evaluations?

Assessments for children and adolescents start with an intake with the parents/caregivers. After the intake, an evaluation is scheduled with the child that typically takes place over 4 – 5 hours during one day. Breaks, including for lunch, are provided during the assessment. Some children may need to return for a second day of testing.

For adults, Dr. Shapiro will start with an intake and then provide an estimate of time needed for an evaluation.

Will insurance cover the evaluation?

Dr. Shapiro is not in-network with insurance and evaluations are self-pay only. The Center for NeuroPotential can give you documentation for your insurance company should you choose to submit for out-of-network benefits.

How much do the evaluations cost?

The cost of the evaluation takes into account the amount of time spent performing the evaluation, as well as the time needed to interpret the results, write a comprehensive report, make person-centered recommendations, and provide feedback. A comprehensive psychoeducational and autism assessment is $5000. Dr. Shapiro provides free phone consultations and will discuss what is included in this assessment.

What’s the next step?

If you are interested in an autism evaluation, please call our office at 475-221-8142 to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Shapiro.