What may seem confusing and overwhelming to many adults is the inability to get through later stages of life without having a clear picture of their differences in social, behavioral, or sensorial aspects. Perhaps, you have always felt different, could not communicate efficiently, or felt exhausted by social life. Or maybe you have realized lifelong traits in yourself now that a child, friend or partner has been diagnosed with autism. However, regardless of your motive behind getting answers, it is best to first know what kind of test is used to diagnose autism to get answers and support.
Our specialty at We Care Support is, Adult autism assessment, Autism evaluation in adults, complex ASD testing in adults and psychological testing. This guide explains the tools used by professionals, what you should anticipate and what you can do to make the next steps reach a proper Adult Autism diagnosis.
Why Autism Testing in Adults is Different.
Previously, the diagnosis of autism was only focused on children. With increased awareness about neurodiversity, professionals have discovered that a good portion of adults, particularly women, had been ignored in childhood. Adults have developed some form of coping and learned to hide the symptoms, thus, psychological testing for autism is more subtle.
Professionals rely on combination of:
- Structured interviews
- Behavioral observation
- Diagnostic tools for standardization.
- Developmental history
- Self-report questionnaires
Autism cannot be diagnosed using only one test. Rather, the evaluators use multiple tools to have a full and precise picture.
Common Tests for Diagnosing Autism in Adults.
The most popular tools used in an Adult autism assessment that are research-backed are:
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule(ADOS-2)
The ADOS-2 is regarded as the gold standard in autism assessment. Module 4 is normally applied for adults.
What it involves:
- A semi-structured discussion and activities.
- Opportunities to observe communication style.
- Assessment of social interaction, eye contact, tone and non-verbal behavior.
The ADOS-2 is not a pass or fail test it just assists in determining autistic characteristics in real-life social situations.
- Autistic Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
This is a structured interview that is usually applied to children, although some of its aspects can be applied to adults.
What it assesses:
- Early childhood behaviors
- Language development
- Repetitive behaviors
- Social challenges
Since not all adults can reach out to their parents or caregivers, evaluators often collect developmental history by using either siblings, older relatives, or personal memory.
- RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale- Revised )
This is a common questionnaire that is specifically developed for adult autism screening.
It measures:
- Social awareness
- Sensory sensitivities
- Differences in language and communication.
- Motor and sensory behaviors
RAADS-R is especially useful when it comes to identifying autistic adults that camouflage or hide their traits.
- AQ (Autism-Spectrum Quotient)
AQ is one of the least complicated and the most available adult screening tools.
It focuses on:
- Attention to detail
- Social skills
- Communication preferences
- Creativity and flexibility.
It is not sufficient to the point of making a diagnosis but gives valuable information for further psychological tests.
- Cognitive and Neuropsychological Tests.
Since autistic characteristics tend to overlap with ADHD, anxiety or learning differences, the following tests may be incorporated by the evaluator:
- Attention and memory testing.
- Executive functioning evaluation
- Language processing tests
- Sensory profile questionnaires.
This ensures that the diagnosis is precise and co-occurring conditions are understood.
- Mental Health Screening
Most of the adults affected with autism have:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Burnout
- OCD
- Trauma-related symptoms
Comprehensive autism assessment for adults consists of mental health condition screening to create a holistic support plan.
Professional Confirmation for Adult Autism Diagnosis.
A combined result for all tests, your developmental history and current functional challenges will be reviewed by a qualified clinician, i.e. psychologist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychologist. They compare this information with diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5.
Adult autism diagnosis is confirmed when the pattern of your whole life is identical to that of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and cannot be explained better by another condition.
Advantages of Adult Autism Diagnosis.
The diagnosis of an adult may be life-changing. People talk of the experience and say that after years of confusion, they finally get to know themselves.
Benefits include:
- Improved self-understanding
- Access to accommodation at the place of work.
- Individualized support interventions.
- Reduced anxiety and burnout
- Better communication with relatives or partners.
- Therapy eligibility or eligibility to social support services.
Above all, it offers confirmation: what you have been experiencing has a name, and you are not the only one who is going through it.
What to Expect During an Adult ASD Test.
Once you start the process of evaluation at We Care Support, you will be able to expect:
- An initial examination to discuss the symptoms, past, and issues.
- Formal adult autism screening questionnaire.
- Individual psychological testing.
- A diagnostic interview
- Feedback meeting and written report.
- Specialized resources and suggestions.
Our team will pay attention to comfort, understanding and respect in the whole process.
Are you Ready to Begin your Diagnostic Journey?
In case you wonder whether you might be autistic or you simply need to get a better understanding of your neurodiversity, We Care Support is available for support. We have specialists who provide caring comprehensive Adult autism assessment, comprehensive ASD testing for adults and precise Adult autism diagnosis services.
Make the first step towards knowing yourself better. Contact We Care Support today to schedule your own Autism assessment in Orlando, FL.This is where your life of clarity and empowerment begins.
