Autism Diagnostic Assessments
Providing Neurodivergent-affirming, low stress, diagnostic assessments for Autism, ADHD, and other comorbid mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder) based on the DSM-5-TR, from children age 2 to adulthood.
If you have specific questions for your unique situation - please feel free to contact me.
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Why Undergo a Diagnostic Assessment for Your Child?
- Provide access to services
- Understand what your child needs and how to support them
- Having diagnostic clarity will help your child and family feel comfortable and informed
- Reduce stress for your child, yourself and family
- Understanding your child is neurodivergent, and how to support them is of utmost and critical
importance as they develop and mature - Get recommendations for what to do next
- Help your child get school accommodations and academic support
- Help your child have a positive future and to follow their dreams
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Why Undergo a Diagnostic Assessment in Adulthood?
- To understand why you feel different
- To help toward embracing your identity and authenticity
- Brings a sense of relief and confirmation that there are legitimate reasons for certain challenges
- Help focus on strengths as well as identify and correctly address areas of difficulty
- Sense of relief in understanding why you have always felt “different”
- Understand that social and other challenges are not a personal failing
- Find opportunities to connect with other autistic adults through support networks
- Get workplace accommodations
- You probably learned your whole life that you can’t trust yourself. Getting the outside validation of a diagnosis can be very freeing and help your healing process
- Meet with a neuro-affirming professional who understands you and knows how to provide a safe and supportive space
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The Diagnostic Assessments...
Childhood Autism Diagnostic Assessment
The assessment consists of a 2-hour online meeting.
- Everything will be done to make this process as low stress as possible.
- Parents - you will be asked extensive questions about different areas of your child’s development including milestones, behavior, skills, social interactions to name a few.
- Children and teens will be asked to participate as much as they are able and willing. Observing them play alone and with their parents, and to interact on camera is helpful.
- Since much of the discussion is about your child, it’s often recommended that they engage in other activities out of earshot. Many children know they are being talked about and can get their feeling hurt.
- Throughout the interview, you will be given some initial impressions and recommendations.
- At the end of the session, you will be provided with the diagnostic results and the degree of confidence with the diagnosis. Meaning, that if there are more complex mental or physical health issues, you will be provided with suggestions for what to do next.
- In any case, you will be provided with recommendations for next steps.
Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment
The evaluation consists of a 2-hour online meeting.
Everything will be done to make this process as low stress as possible.
- An official, medical diagnosis requires a face-to-face (virtual) meeting. However, if you find that too stressful, the meeting can be done off camera, and you will be provided a diagnostic impression versus a medical diagnosis. If you are outside California, you will be provided a diagnostic impression versus a medical diagnosis.
- You will be asked a series of questions about your past and present including your school and work experiences, social relationships, sensory experiences, etc.
- It is helpful to find out about your early development by asking parents or caregivers if that is possible.
- Throughout the interview, you will be given some initial impressions and recommendations.
- At the end of the session, you will be provided with the diagnostic results and the degree of confidence with the diagnosis. If there are more complex mental or physical health issues, you will be provided suggestions for what to do next.
In any case, you will be provided with recommendations for next steps.
Specialist Diagnostic Assessment for
Women and Girls
In addition to clarifying the differing presentations in autistic boys and girls, this assessment also includes 2 follow up sessions to help you understand and integrate what it means to be an autistic female (assigned female at birth AFAB):
Jen has vast experience in diagnosing women and girls of all ages. This diagnostic assessment also considers ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and any other co-occurring conditions within this diagnostic assessment package you will receive:
- Full diagnostic assessment
- Two follow-up one to one sessions
- An annual membership for our Autistic Women's Network
- The first steps toward self-acceptance of your ND identity
The diagnostic assessment process will be similar as described above for children and adults. In addition, education on how autism manifests in girls and women will be discussed throughout the session in relation to your experiences. This can be extremely helpful and assist you in understanding and honoring who you are.
This specialist diagnosis will also include 2 follow up psychotherapy sessions (coaching sessions outside of California). This will help you understand and integrate the struggles, and often the trauma, that you have experienced. Being undiagnosed your whole life will take time for you to start making sense of your experiences, and to rebuild yourself from the inside out.
Book Your Diagnostic Assessment TodayTerms and Conditions
- Payments for a diagnostic assessment is not-refundable once the assessment has started.
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Payments for a diagnostic assessment is non-refundable once the assessment is started.
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A $150 charge will be deducted from your refund if you cancel within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment.
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You will receive an email within 2 weeks documenting the diagnosis/diagnoses, common traits, and "symptoms" that meet the diagnostic criteria within 2 weeks, or when all payments are made.
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If you need an accommodation letter, discuss this with Jen and it may be provided for an additional fee.
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Follow up appointments, psychotherapy, coaching and parenting support are available at a rate of $150 per hour.
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You will be required to review and sign an informed consent agreement.
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Assessments are available to those 2-years-old through adult.
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All diagnostic assessments are carried out online via video call format
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For toddlers and children, be prepared to be observed interacting and playing with your child, as well as observing them engaging in independent play or interests.
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All your information will be kept private and protected.
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Autism 360 has a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse against the diagnostician, and Autism 360 Support reserves the right to terminate an assessment without refund.
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Jen Slaton - Neuro-Affirming Diagnostic Clinician
Hi, I'm Jen - It’s nice to meet you
A little about my background - I’ve been working as a psychotherapist for 20 plus years, and an in-home parent consultant for even longer. I have a master’s degree in social work and then became a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)/psychotherapist. I also became a BCBA incorporating only compassionate, self-directed and trauma informed approaches for children.
So how did I get here? I realized later in my life that I grew up surrounded by neurodiversity, but no one was aware of it. That made so much sense as I’ve always had an affinity and intuitive connection with autistic children and adults.
I’ve worked with children, adults, couples, and families for a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), abuse, trauma, parenting, women’s issues, and relational problems, specializing in neurodiversity, especially autism and ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder).
As a psychotherapist in California, insurance companies require a diagnosis after the first session or at least provisional diagnosis. I became very experienced at creating a safe space and connection with my clients in the first session, as well as guiding the discussion in order to determine one or more diagnoses.
In some way or another, I have been working with neurodivergent people since I was a teenager. I feel totally blessed to have a career I love so much and find so rewarding. I have had the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of the many people I have been honored to work with.
Testimonials
I met with Jen for an assessment to see whether my feelings that I might be on the autism spectrum were correct... Jen was amazing at making me feel very welcome and reassured. Her calming and relaxed nature during the assessment quickly made me feel more at ease. It felt like I was just chatting through my experiences and didn't feel intense or overwhelming at all.
I went to see Jen to go through aspects of my life and to understand my specific journey regarding neurodiversity. Initially I was very, very nervous and really anxious. By the end of our conversation, that weight got lifted. I felt validated, understood, and supported and most of all accepted. I will recommend Jen to anyone that really wants to understand their journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to answer your questions, and put you/your child at ease regarding the diagnostic process. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me.
