More adolescents and adults are seeking autism evaluations than ever before. Some grew up in a time when the diagnostic criteria simply did not reflect the way they experienced the world. Others learned to mask their differences. As a result, few people recognized how much effort social interaction, sensory input, or everyday functioning was actually required. Some begin wondering about autism after a friend’s diagnosis, a child’s evaluation, or finally encountering language that feels unexpectedly familiar.
At Nashville Psych, we provide thoughtful, neurodiversity-affirming autism evaluations for adolescents and adults. Our evaluations are designed for people who may have been missed, misunderstood, mislabeled, or dismissed earlier in life, and we approach the process with care, curiosity, and respect for each person’s lived experience.
We use evidence-based assessment instruments, while recognizing that autism can present very differently across individuals, genders, developmental stages, and life experiences. Our goal is not simply to determine whether someone meets diagnostic criteria; rather we want to help people better understand themselves and the patterns that may have shaped their experiences for years.
Who Pursues an Autism Evaluation?
People often seek autism evaluations when:
- They suspect they may be autistic and want greater personal understanding or diagnostic clarity.
- Accommodations are being sought for workplace, graduate school, or disability.
- Social, sensory, communication, or behavioral differences have become increasingly difficult to navigate.
- They have spent years masking or compensating and feel emotionally exhausted from the effort.
- The individual has a previous diagnosis of anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, or personality-related concerns but suspects autism may also be part of the picture.
- A child or family member was diagnosed and they recognized similar traits in themselves.
- They have long felt “different” socially or emotionally without fully understanding why.
Why Autism Is Often Missed
Historically, autism research and diagnostic criteria were developed primarily around boys with more externally visible presentations. As a result, many adolescents and adults, particularly women, nonbinary people, gender-expansive individuals, and those with more internalized or socially masked presentations, were overlooked.
Some autistic individuals become highly skilled at observing, mimicking, or compensating socially. They may also simultaneously experience significant internal exhaustion, sensory overwhelm, anxiety, or difficulty feeling fully understood or connected. Others may have interests or communication styles that appear socially typical on the surface, even though the underlying experience feels very different internally.
As a result, many people spend years being described as too sensitive, socially awkward, perfectionistic, anxious, or introverted before considering whether autism may help explain their experience more fully.
What the Evaluation Includes
A comprehensive autism evaluation is designed to look carefully at developmental history, social communication, sensory experiences, patterns of behavior and interests, emotional functioning, and the broader context of a person’s life and relationships. Depending on the referral concerns, the evaluation may include clinical interviews, standardized autism-specific assessment instruments, self-report measures, cognitive testing, and screening for co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, OCD, trauma-related responses, or social anxiety.
When possible and with consent, we may also gather collateral information from a family member, partner, or longtime friend to better understand developmental patterns and long-term functioning across settings. The process concludes with a comprehensive written report and a feedback session to review findings, recommendations, and next steps together.
Our Approach
Autism evaluations require nuance, particularly when working with adolescents and adults whose experiences may not fit older or more stereotyped understandings of autism. We approach evaluations thoughtfully and collaboratively, taking time to understand the individual behind the symptoms rather than simply checking boxes on a diagnostic list.
We also recognize that for many people, the evaluation process itself carries emotional significance. Some people feel relief, grief, validation, confusion, or a mix of emotions as they begin making sense of experiences that may have felt isolating for years. Our goal is to create a process that feels respectful, affirming, and grounded in genuine understanding.
What You Receive
Following the evaluation, you will receive a comprehensive written report integrating all findings from the assessment process. The report includes diagnostic clarification regarding whether autism is present, along with identification of any co-occurring conditions that may also be contributing to your experience. You will also receive individualized recommendations for therapy, support, accommodations, and resources, including neurodiversity-affirming resources for autistic adolescents and adults when appropriate.
When needed, the evaluation can provide documentation suitable for workplace accommodations, graduate school accommodations, and disability services. The process also includes a feedback session designed to support your communication and processing style, with written follow-up materials provided when helpful.
Process & Timeline
The evaluation process typically begins with a free consultation call to discuss concerns, answer questions, and determine whether the evaluation feels like a good fit. From there, clients participate in a detailed clinical interview lasting approximately 1 hours, followed by testing session(s), which are typically completed across one or two appointments depending on the nature and complexity of the evaluation. The process may also include rating scales and collateral input from family members or other supports when appropriate.
Once testing is complete, the evaluator carefully integrates all findings into a comprehensive written report, which is typically finalized within 8-10 weeks of scheduling the first appointment. Clients then participate in a feedback session to review the results, discuss recommendations, and better understand the findings in a supportive and collaborative way.
Fees & Insurance
Autism evaluations are provided on a fee-for-service basis. While we are not in-network with insurance companies, we can provide a superbill that clients may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be diagnosed with autism as an adult if I was never identified as a child?
Yes. Adult autism diagnoses are increasingly common and well recognized. While autism traits begin in early development, many people were not identified in childhood because the criteria were narrower, their traits were masked, or their presentation did not fit traditional stereotypes.
What if the evaluation does not confirm autism?
Even when autism is not the final diagnosis, many people still leave with greater clarity and understanding. Evaluations may identify ADHD, anxiety, OCD, trauma-related responses, sensory processing differences, or other factors that help explain the experiences that led someone to seek testing in the first place.
Is your practice neurodiversity-affirming?
Yes. We approach autism evaluations from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, meaning we view autism as a difference in cognitive and social processing rather than something that needs to be “fixed.” Our recommendations focus on understanding, support, self-advocacy, and improving quality of life rather than forcing conformity.
Do you evaluate young children?
At this time, our autism evaluations are designed for adolescents (typically age 13 and older) and adults. We are happy to provide referrals to trusted providers in the Nashville area who specialize in early childhood autism assessment when appropriate.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been wondering whether autism may help explain experiences you have struggled to put into words, an evaluation can provide greater clarity, understanding, and direction moving forward. We are happy to answer questions and help you determine whether an autism evaluation feels like the right next step. Our Client Care team is here for you.
