Services
Adult Autism Assessments
An autism assessment can bring clarity when nothing else has felt like the right fit.
You may have wondered where the "life manual" was, or why other explanations never fully matched your experience. An autism assessment can help you make sense of yourself and give you a clearer understanding of your traits and experiences.
Fill out the form to get started today.
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What is an Autism Assessment?
There’s no single test or standard process for an autism assessment. My process includes a semi-structured interview and some tools (e.g., ADOS-2, MIGDAS-2) so I understand your experiences and characteristics. (Please note that if you expose yourself to diagnostic tools before an assessment, the validity of its results might be affected.)
We'll explore a number of areas, including:
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Emotional experiences
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Communication styles
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Social relationships
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Interests and sensory profiles
My approach is collaborative so you're actively involved and informed about all the aspects of the process as we go. I try to communicate clearly, be transparent about my assessment process, and reflect back what I’m seeing and hearing to be sure I’m fully understanding you. I’ll encourage you to share your preferences and feedback so I can learn what’s most comfortable for you, and give you opportunities to ask questions, follow up with more information, and contribute your insight.
The goal of the assessment isn't just to determine if you meet diagnostic criteria. We want to make sense of your experiences in a way that feels accurate and grounding. If you meet criteria for autism, we'll discuss that together. If not, you'll still receive a clear explanation of why. Either way, you'll walk away with recommendations and resources. I'll help with strategies for daily life, communication techniques, sensory tools, referrals, and guidance for work/school and relationships. My aim is to ensure you finish our process with clarity, validation, and next steps that are helpful.
Who's a Candidate for an Autism Assessment?
You may be seeking an autism assessment so you can understand yourself better, strengthen your personal and professional relationships, and improve your self-care. Perhaps you’ve been told you “can’t be autistic because...” (you have a job or a partner, make eye contact, etc.), or had previous testing that didn’t identify autism. We’ll talk about camouflaging and masking, and the experiences and traits that can be more common in “late-identified” autistic adults.
About Dr. Donovan
I specialize in neurodivergence across the lifespan and have a lot of training in a range of assessment tools. I work at understanding an individual's experiences, intersecting identities, and learned strategies that are frequently overlooked (e.g., camouflaging, masking).
Training & Experience
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Psychologist in Independent and Public Schools (New York, Texas, Ohio, and Kuwait)
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Instructor in New York University (Graduate Clinical Counseling Program) and Kent State University (Graduate School Psychology Program)
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Advanced Post-Doctoral Training: Center for Autism & Child Development Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
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PhD in School Psychology, Kent State University
Getting Started on an Autism Assessment
If you’re ready to explore an autism assessment, get in touch.
During your consultation call you can tell me about yourself, I’ll talk about my approach and answer your questions, and you’ll get a sense of what it’d be like to work together.