Frequently Asked Questions About Evaluations
🔹 Getting Started
🔹 Costs and Insurance
🔹 Evaluation Process
What happens during an Autism or ADHD evaluation at Thriving Wellness Center?
Do you test for Anxiety and Depression during the Autism or ADHD Evaluation?
Can you diagnose ADHD or Autism through telehealth? Is that effective?
🔹 Special Populations
Do your clinicians understand how to diagnose Autism in high-masking women?
How do you test high-masking adults and high-masking women for Autism?
Do your clinicians have experience differentiating Autism from a history of childhood trauma?
Do you have experience diagnosing autism in women and nonbinary individuals?
Are you LGBTQ+ affirming and experienced in gender-diverse presentations of Autism and ADHD?
🔹 Using the Diagnosis
Can I get accommodations for school or work with this evaluation?
Will my Autism or ADHD diagnosis be shared with insurance or a national database?
🔹 Why Choose Thriving Wellness Center?
Why choose Thriving Wellness Center for your Autism or ADHD evaluation instead of a larger Clinic?
Do you offer psychotherapy or support groups for Autism and ADHD?
Will I work directly with a licensed evaluator, or are assessments outsourced?
Do you have any reviews or testimonials that you can share?
How much does an Autism or ADHD evaluation cost?
Virtual Evaluations (Telehealth)
Combined Autism & ADHD Evaluation: $925
Single Condition (Autism or ADHD): $775
In-Person Evaluations conducted in Ridgewood, New Jersey
Combined Autism & ADHD Evaluation: $1,075
Single Condition (Autism or ADHD): $900
Optional Add-Ons
Comprehensive Diagnostic Report (10+ pages): $550
Includes mental health history, detailed interpretation of assessment results, diagnosis (if applicable), and personalized recommendations for therapy, accommodations, or next steps.Follow-Up Results Session (45 minutes): $325
Meet one-on-one with your evaluator to review your results in depth, ask questions, and receive tailored guidance and support.We use the same evaluation process for both virtual and in-person appointments.
If you receive a diagnosis, you will be provided with an official, signed diagnosis letter. This letter includes your identifying information, diagnosis date, diagnostic criteria, evaluation results, severity level (if applicable), assessment tools used, treatment recommendations, and healthcare provider credentials. You will also receive a document with resources to support your understanding of the diagnosis and guide next steps.
In addition to the diagnosis letter, we offer a comprehensive 10-page diagnostic report for those who would like a more in-depth summary. This report includes your mental health history, current challenges across work, school, and home environments, your diagnosis (if applicable), and personalized, evidence-based recommendations. It can be shared with other healthcare providers or used to access medication, therapy, educational support, or workplace accommodations.
We also offer an optional results session for clients who would like to review their findings in greater detail. This 45-minute session provides an opportunity to ask questions, process your diagnosis, and receive tailored guidance for moving forward.
These optional services are designed to provide deeper insight, support, and clarity following your ADHD or Autism evaluation.
Click here to schedule your evaluation.
Do you take insurance?
We are an out-of-network provider, which means your health insurance or employee benefit plan may cover our services partially or in full, depending on your specific coverage. We provide a superbill (a paid invoice with the appropriate medical billing codes, including the diagnostic evaluation code 90791) that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
We accept credit cards and FSA payments, but do not offer payment plans at this time.
To find out whether you’re eligible for reimbursement, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly and asking the following questions:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What is my deductible, and has it been met?
What happens during an Autism or ADHD evaluation at Thriving Wellness Center?
At Thriving Wellness Center, our Autism and ADHD evaluations are comprehensive, respectful, and tailored to adults and teens. During your evaluation, you will meet directly with a licensed clinician, often our Clinical Director, Leila Ostad, either in person or via secure telehealth.
The process typically includes:
A detailed clinical interview covering developmental history, social and emotional functioning, sensory experiences, and executive functioning challenges
Completion of evidence-based self-report questionnaires and rating scales
Time to discuss your current concerns, past diagnoses (if any), and goals for seeking evaluation
An opportunity to ask questions and reflect on your lived experience in a supportive, nonjudgmental space
Unlike larger testing centers, we do not rely on generic testing batteries. Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and designed to identify masked or internalized Autism traits, especially in high-functioning adults, women, and nonbinary individuals who may have been missed earlier in life.
By the end of the evaluation, you’ll receive either a diagnosis letter or a clear summary of findings, along with personalized recommendations for next steps, whether that includes therapy, workplace accommodations, or additional support.
If desired, additional results sessions are available to review the findings in greater depth, explore next steps, and ensure you feel supported in understanding and integrating your diagnosis.
How do you come up with your diagnosis so quickly?
A thorough autism or ADHD evaluation for adults can be completed effectively in about two to three hours. At our center, we focus exclusively on Autism and ADHD, and we’ve worked with thousands of adults. Our clinical approach combines expert observation with validated self-report tools to accurately identify symptoms, even when they’re subtle.
Extended neuropsychological evaluations, often lasting 8 hours or more, are typically not necessary for adults seeking an Autism diagnosis. These longer assessments were designed for children, where measuring cognitive and academic development is essential. For adults, however, those tests often add little diagnostic value.
Some providers may continue using these outdated protocols due to a lack of familiarity with adult Autism, or because longer assessments come with higher fees.
Here is an article about the differences between Neuropsychological Evaluations and Diagnostic Evaluations.
Where are you located?
We provide in-person Autism and ADHD evaluations in Ridgewood, New Jersey, conveniently located in Bergen County. Virtual evaluations are also available.
What’s the difference between a neuropsychological evaluation and an Autism/ADHD diagnostic assessment?
When deciding between a neuropsychological evaluation and a diagnostic assessment for Autism or ADHD, key differences include the cost, duration, focus of testing, and type of clinician conducting the assessment.
Neuropsychological evaluations typically take 10 to 12 hours, spread over multiple sessions, and are performed by a licensed clinical psychologist. These evaluations assess a wide range of cognitive and psychological domains—such as IQ, memory, executive functioning, attention, learning disabilities, and mood disorders—and result in a comprehensive, multi-page report.
In contrast, Autism and ADHD diagnostic evaluations are much more targeted and time-efficient, often lasting just 2 to 4 hours and completed in 1 to 2 sessions. These evaluations focus specifically on identifying conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD, and are typically conducted by mental health professionals with specialized training. Most diagnostic evaluations include a signed letter of diagnosis, and in some cases, a written report summarizing the findings.
While both types of assessments can lead to a formal diagnosis, diagnostic evaluations are more focused and efficient, where as neuropsychological testing offers a broader overview of an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning.
Here is more information bout the differences between Neuropsychological Evaluations and Diagnostic Evaluations.
Why choose Thriving Wellness Center for your Autism or ADHD evaluation instead of a larger clinic?
At Thriving Wellness Center, we’re not a large, impersonal testing facility or a “diagnosis mill.” We’re a small, highly specialized practice that takes the time to understand your unique experiences, especially if you’re seeking a late-diagnosed or adult Autism assessment.
Unlike larger clinics that often rely on rigid, one-size-fits-all protocols, we provide a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approach tailored to adults who may have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. Many of our clients are high-functioning, gifted, or have co-occurring conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or a history of trauma.
You’ll work directly with your evaluator and our Clinical Director, Leila Ostad, a seasoned expert in adult Autism and ADHD, with no third-party screeners or assistants. Every step of the evaluation is handled personally and thoughtfully to ensure accuracy, validation, and support.
Our clinicians are highly experienced in recognizing masked or internalized traits, particularly in women, nonbinary individuals, and late-diagnosed adults. We understand how Autism can present subtly in adulthood, often hidden beneath years of coping strategies, perfectionism, or burnout.
At Thriving Wellness Center, you will be treated with respect, curiosity, and care, never reduced to a checklist. Our mission is to provide meaningful insight, a clear diagnosis when appropriate, and guidance on next steps, like workplace accommodations, therapy referrals, or navigating life as a neurodivergent adult.
Do your clinicians understand how to diagnose Autism in high-masking women?
Yes. At Thriving Wellness Center, our clinicians have extensive experience identifying Autism in women, nonbinary individuals, and others who mask or camouflage their traits, especially those seeking a late diagnosis in adulthood.
Many women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals are overlooked or misdiagnosed, as their symptoms often don’t match the stereotypical male-centered criteria used in traditional evaluations. Our team understands how Autism can present differently in women, often through internalized struggles like anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or people-pleasing, rather than obvious social difficulties.
We use a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed approach that focuses on the subtle and nuanced signs of high-masking Autism, taking into account social compensation strategies, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and lifelong patterns of feeling “different”.
Whether you're wondering if your challenges are related to autism, trauma, ADHD, or a combination, our experienced evaluators will help you make sense of your experience, with compassion, clinical expertise, and no judgment.
How do you test high-masking adults and high-masking women for autism?
At Thriving Wellness Center, we specialize in diagnosing high-masking adults, including women and nonbinary individuals, who often go undiagnosed due to less visible or more internalized signs of Autism.
Our evaluation process goes beyond surface-level symptoms and takes into account the subtle traits of Autism that are often masked by social coping strategies, such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, or scripting conversations. This is especially common in women, AFAB individuals, and high-functioning adults who may have spent years trying to "fit in" without ever realizing they were neurodivergent.
We use a combination of:
Clinical interviews focused on developmental, emotional, sensory, and social history
Validated self-report measures specifically sensitive to Autism traits in adults
A trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming lens that accounts for overlap with anxiety, ADHD, and trauma
Careful attention to internal experiences, masking behaviors, and lifelong patterns of feeling “different” or misunderstood
Our goal is not just to determine whether you meet diagnostic criteria, but to provide clarity, validation, and insight into your lived experience, especially if you’ve been misdiagnosed, dismissed, or missed entirely in the past.
Do you test for Anxiety and Depression during the Autism or ADHD evaluation?
Yes, we include screening for anxiety and depression as part of our comprehensive Autism and ADHD evaluations. Because these conditions frequently occur alongside neurodevelopmental diagnoses, it’s important to assess your full mental health profile.
Our evaluation process includes evidence-based questionnaires and clinical interviews that help identify symptoms of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and depressive disorders. Understanding how these conditions interact with ADHD or Autism allows us to provide a more accurate diagnosis and offer tailored recommendations for support and treatment.
Including anxiety and depression screening ensures you receive a well-rounded, clinically sound evaluation, not just a narrow diagnostic label.
Can you diagnose ADHD or Autism through telehealth? Is that effective?
Yes, ADHD and Autism can be accurately diagnosed through telehealth evaluations. At Thriving Wellness Center, we specialize in virtual assessments and have helped hundreds of teens and adults receive reliable diagnoses through secure video sessions.
Our telehealth process includes comprehensive clinical interviews, evidence-based self-report measures, and careful behavioral observations, all adapted for remote use without compromising accuracy. These tools are supported by current research showing that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person evaluations for identifying ADHD and Autism, particularly in adults and older adolescents.
Telehealth can offer unique benefits. Being evaluated in the comfort of your own home may reduce anxiety and allow your natural behaviors and communication style to emerge more authentically.
When conducted by experienced clinicians using validated methods—like we do at Thriving Wellness Center—telehealth evaluations are a clinically sound and accessible way to receive an Autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Do your clinicians have experience differentiating Autism from a history of childhood trauma?
Yes, our clinicians have extensive experience in distinguishing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the effects of childhood trauma. At Thriving Wellness Center, we understand how complex this process can be, especially in adults who may have experienced early emotional neglect, abuse, or inconsistent caregiving.
Both Autism and trauma can lead to challenges with emotional regulation, social interaction, and sensory sensitivities. However, our licensed evaluators are trained to recognize the unique patterns, developmental history, and internal experiences that help differentiate between the two.
We use a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach that integrates clinical interviews, validated assessment tools, and careful analysis of your life experiences. This ensures that your evaluation is not only accurate but also compassionate and individualized.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms stem from Autism, trauma, or both, we’re here to help clarify that picture, without pathologizing or minimizing your story.
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD is a term used to describe individuals who are diagnosed with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The term combines "Au" (Autism) and "DHD" (from ADHD) to reflect the co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions.
Although Autism and ADHD are separate diagnoses, research shows that many people, especially adults, women, and high-masking individuals, meet the criteria for both. Overlapping traits such as executive functioning challenges, sensory sensitivities, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty with social interactions are common in those with AuDHD.
At Thriving Wellness Center, we specialize in evaluating and diagnosing AuDHD in teens and adults, using a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed approach. Our assessments are designed to explore how Autism and ADHD traits may interact and impact your daily life, especially if you’ve spent years feeling misunderstood or misdiagnosed.
If you relate to symptoms of both Autism and ADHD, an AuDHD evaluation can provide clarity, validation, and a clear path forward with tailored support.
Can I speak with someone before scheduling an Autism or ADHD evaluation?
We do not offer consultations before scheduling a diagnostic evaluation, but you're welcome to email us with any questions at leila@thrivingwellnesscenter.com or contact us here. We’re happy to answer your questions via email and help you determine whether our services are the right fit.
If your questions require more discussion, we offer an optional 10-minute phone call to go over the evaluation process and next steps. Please email us to request a time.
Do you offer psychotherapy or support groups for Autism and ADHD?
Yes. At Thriving Wellness Center, we offer both individual psychotherapy and support groups tailored for adults and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, or AuDHD. Our licensed therapists specialize in working with neurodivergent individuals, using evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches such as CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care.
We also run small, focused support groups designed to help clients navigate topics like masking, anxiety, relationships, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. These groups offer connection, validation, and practical tools for daily life.
Whether you’re looking for ongoing therapy after a diagnosis or want to build community with others who share similar experiences, we can recommend options that best fit your needs.
To learn more or join a group, feel free to contact us at leila@thrivingwellnesscenter.com or here.
Can I get accommodations for school or work with this evaluation?
Yes. If your evaluation results in a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD, you will receive documentation that can be used to request accommodations at school, in college or university, or the workplace.
We provide either a signed diagnosis letter or an optional comprehensive report that includes recommended accommodations based on your specific challenges. These may include extended time on exams, quiet testing environments, flexible deadlines, or modified workloads.
Will I receive a written report or just a diagnosis letter?
By default, we provide a formal diagnosis letter that includes your identifying information, diagnostic criteria, assessment results, diagnosis date, severity level (if applicable), and treatment recommendations.
For those who want a more in-depth document, we offer an optional 10-page comprehensive diagnostic report ($550). This includes your mental health history, current challenges, diagnosis explanation, and personalized recommendations. It can be used to support therapy, medication planning, accommodations, or coordination with other providers.
Do you have experience diagnosing autism in women and nonbinary individuals?
Yes. We specialize in evaluating women, nonbinary, and high-masking adults who often don’t fit the traditional autism profile and may have been misdiagnosed or missed entirely.
Our clinicians are trained to recognize internalized autism traits, such as masking, social exhaustion, perfectionism, and intense focus. We approach every evaluation with sensitivity to how gender and socialization can influence the presentation of autism and ADHD.
Will I work directly with a licensed evaluator, or are assessments outsourced?
You will work directly with a licensed clinician, often our clinical director, Leila Ostad, LCSW. We do not outsource evaluations or use third-party testing services.
Your evaluator will handle every step of the process, from intake to interview, scoring, interpretation, and feedback, ensuring a personalized, consistent, and clinically sound experience.
Are you LGBTQ+ affirming and experienced in gender-diverse presentations of Autism and ADHD?
Yes. We are a fully LGBTQ+ affirming practice, and we frequently work with gender-diverse, nonbinary, and transgender clients who are exploring or seeking clarity around a possible autism or ADHD diagnosis.
We understand that gender identity, social expectations, and masking can all influence how neurodivergence presents. Our assessments are inclusive, respectful, and adapted to reflect your identity and lived experience.
Do you have any reviews or testimonials that you can share?
Yes. We’re proud to have received outstanding reviews from teens, adults, and parents who have completed autism and ADHD evaluations at Thriving Wellness Center. Many of our clients share that they felt seen, understood, and validated for the first time during the diagnostic process.
You can read verified testimonials on our Google Reviews. These reviews reflect our commitment to providing compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming evaluations that are personalized, respectful, and clinically sound.
Whether you're seeking an adult autism diagnosis, support for AuDHD, or clarity around masked ADHD symptoms, our clients consistently highlight the depth of care and expertise we provide throughout the process.