Frequently Asked Questions

  • We offer two different adult autism testing packages to better suit differing needs and budgets.

    Package A: Comprehensive Autism Evaluation: $1500
    Package B: Comprehensive Autism Evaluation + Report: $2500

    The evaluation process is the same for both packages. The only difference between the two packages is that Package B includes a comprehensive report and Package A does not. That means that, whichever package you choose, your evaluation will follow the same methods and procedures, and no compromises will be made in the level of care you receive.

    Both packages include:

    • Review of relevant records (if you choose to share them)

    • Collection and review of your developmental history

    • Collection of collateral information (at your request)

    • Completion of autism specific psychometric tests

    • A screening for common psychiatric conditions (e.g., anxiety)

    • A 90-to-120 minute clinical interview (via telehealth)

    • A 90-to-120 minute feedback session to discuss the results of the evaluation (via telehealth)

    For both packages, if a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is made, you will also receive:

    • A one-to-two page diagnosis verification letter documenting your diagnosis and listing suggested accommodations (if relevant)

    • An accommodations support letter for work or school (upon request)

    You will receive your documentation within 48 hours of your feedback session.

    Additionally, if you choose Package B (Comprehensive Autism Evaluation + Report) you will receive a detailed report that includes:

    • Summaries of your developmental, medical, and social history

    • Your scores for all key areas assessed with the psychometric measures

    • A summary of key findings

    • A concise diagnostic statement

    • Recommendations with insights and resources

    Your report will be completed and sent to you within one week of your feedback session.

  • NeurodivUrgent is out-of-network, which means we do not work directly with insurance. We accept debit, credit, and HSA/FSA cards for payment but do not accept insurance as a form of payment. Some clients have out-of-network benefits through their insurance that reimburse them for a portion of the cost of the evaluation.

    It is important to note that adult autism evaluations are often not fully covered by insurance (whether those services are in-network or out-of-network). However, you can email your insurance company to ask if they provide reimbursement for out-of-network adult autism evaluations.

    To make that process simpler, we’ve created an insurance reimbursement message template you can use to expedite the process. All you need to do is copy and paste the sample letter into an email, update the red text with your personal information, and hit send.

    If your insurance provider does offer out-of-network reimbursement, we will provide you with a superbill at the conclusion of the evaluation.

  • Not at this time. Unfortunately, because Medicaid and Medicare each provide coverage for autism evaluations through their own contracted providers, they do not reimburse enrollees for autism evaluation services obtained through providers who are outside of the Medicaid and/or Medicare systems.

    Additionally, providers who do not contract with Medicaid/Medicare are not knowingly allowed to take private payment for a service covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare from an enrollee. As such, Dr. Duncan may not accept payment for an autism evaluation from anyone who is currently enrolled in any Medicaid or Medicare plan.

  • The comprehensive autism evaluation is a strengths-based evaluation designed to thoroughly and accurately assess whether an individual has autistic traits that meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our evaluation process is based on a multi-method, collaborative approach in which each method of assessment provides a different “lens” to view your experiences. Each comprehensive autism evaluation we perform includes the following:

    1. Collection of your developmental history.

    2. Review of records (if available).

    3. Completion of the following psychometric tests:
      • The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System – Third Edition (ABAS-3)
      • The Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition (SRS-2); for ages 19+
      • The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile
      • The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI)
      • The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q)
      • The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R)
      • The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
      • The Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A)

    4. A clinical interview in which you will be asked diagnostically relevant questions. The interview includes the MIGDAS-2 and utilizes a variety of questions aimed at better understanding your life experience.

    In addition to the tools listed above, you may also be asked to complete additional psychometric tests relevant to your particular situation and concerns. We also offer optional avenues for further information gathering for clients who are interested (e.g., collecting collateral information from additional people like parents or significant others in the form of questionnaires and/or interviews).

  • We offer the option to add comprehensive testing for ADHD to your autism evaluation package. We do not offer ADHD testing as a stand-alone service.

    The fee to include the ADHD testing is an additional $500 for Package A (Comprehensive Autism Evaluation) or $750 for Package B (Comprehensive Autism Evaluation + Report). Adding on ADHD testing requires scheduling a second clinical interview session and the completion of additional ADHD specific psychometric tests.

  • Yes, we do! We have the knowledge and expertise to conduct autism evaluations with individuals of all gender identities.

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically been under-diagnosed in individuals who identify as female due to a variety of factors, including differences in social masking, communication styles, and co-occurring conditions. While awareness is growing around this issue, it’s important to note that emerging research indicates that individuals who are gender-expansive (e.g., transgender, non-binary) are also under-diagnosed for similar reasons.

    Because we recognize that autism often presents differently in individuals who identify as women or gender-expansive, we perform a gender-informed assessment that looks at a broad array of autistic traits; not just the traits that are associated with the historically male conceptualization of “what autism looks like.” We utilize psychometric measures specifically designed for exploring camouflaging and masking, with the purpose of detecting autistic traits in individuals that might otherwise go undetected. We also use specific psychometric tests designed for identifying autistic traits in women (e.g., the GQ-ASC; the modified Girls Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Condition for Adult Women). The most important technique for conducting a gender-informed assessment is simple. We listen. You are the expert on your experience, and we want to hear what you have to share with us!

  • Using telehealth allows NeurodivUrgent to offer their services to expand access to quality care in locations across the country. While it has its advantages, telehealth isn’t the best format for everyone. The first portion of the evaluation is completely self-paced and you will need to be able to complete it with little guidance or assistance. To participate in NeurodivUrgent’s evaluation process, you need to have the ability to complete basic paperwork and questionnaires on your own with little support. You cannot have anyone else fill out the evaluation paperwork for you. For that reason, it is highly recommended that you complete the self-screen assessment to see if you can fill out the sort of questionnaires we use prior to reaching out to schedule an evaluation.

    For various reasons, some people find the questionnaires in the self-assessment too difficult to answer, or they need help from others to complete the process. For those people, an in-person evaluation is typically more appropriate. In-person services allow for more real time guidance and support as well as for any additional testing to be performed that might be helpful in understanding related difficulties.

  • A core characteristic of autism spectrum disorder is that it involves unique differences in how an individual communicates. These differences in communication style can often be very subtle. To properly detect these differences, the person conducting the evaluation needs to be proficient in communicating in the primary language of the person being assessed. Unfortunately, our psychologist, Dr. Duncan is only proficient in english. If you communicate primarily using a language other than English, you should seek out an evaluation from an autism expert who is fluent in your primary language.

  • The intake paperwork and the testing instruments that you will complete over the course of your evaluation are all optimized for devices with larger screens, ideally a laptop, desktop computer, or a full-size tablet. While it is possible to complete the forms and questionnaires using a smart-phone, the experience often isn’t as smooth as it is on larger devices.

    Each evaluation also involves at least two appointments where you will meet with Dr. Duncan via secure video conferencing. For these sessions, you will need to have access to a device with the following specifications:

    • a working video camera and microphone.

    • an up to date web browser (i.e., Google Chrome or Safari updated within two versions of the current version).

    • a stable, high speed internet connection (at least 600 kbps upload/download) . Click on the following link to check your connection speed.

    You will not need to download any specific software for the evaluation. Everything can be taken care of through your internet browser.

  • As our name suggests, one of our guiding values as an organization is a respect for our clients’ time. If you’ve been looking for an autism evaluation for long, you’re probably aware that average wait times range from several months to a year or more. We strive to complete our evaluations in weeks, not months. To make this happen, we do two things. First, we conduct a thorough and focused evaluation with everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Second, we expedite our report writing process by focusing on creating reports that are brief and easy to understand.

    One reason that the average wait time is so long is that many providers utilize an evaluation process that is overly complicated and involved. Many providers require broad neuropsychological testing as a part of their evaluation process (e.g., assessments of executive functioning, intellectual ability, academic achievement). To complete this additional testing, the client has to come in-person to work with the psychologist for two or more appointments, each typically lasting several hours. While these tests provide additional information on strengths and weaknesses that can be informative, they simply aren’t necessary for making a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Another issue is that psychologists often require individuals to schedule appointments to complete self-report questionnaires in-person that the client could complete on their own time independently.

    Forcing clients to undergo testing they don’t need or to attend unnecessary appointments results in longer wait times to start the evaluation process, drags out the amount of time it takes to complete the evaluation, and increases the cost of evaluations. We keep our evaluations focused so that they include everything we need to make a thorough and accurate determination of whether the criteria are met for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder without wasting your time or money on additional unnecessary testing.

  • Masking refers to the practice of concealing autistic traits in social situations, often as a coping mechanism developed over time. At NeurodivUrgent, we take several essential steps to account for masking during our evaluations.

    Firstly, we utilize a multi-method assessment approach, combining clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and observation. Secondly, we encourage open and candid communication throughout the assessment process. We actively listen to our clients, acknowledging their unique experiences and challenges, and provide a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express their thoughts and feelings. Lastly we consider information from outside sources, but we never hold another person's description of you as more accurate or valid than your own!

  • Unfortunately, no. While the results from the evaluation are typically sufficient to qualify for workplace accommodations, the testing boards follow their own specific guidelines. The diagnostic report you receive after your evaluation IS NOT sufficient to meet requirements for accommodations on standardized testing (e.g., the SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, BAR, MCAT, etc.) or for university academic accommodations. Typically, formal cognitive, academic, and/or neuropsychological testing is required for those purposes.