Autism & ADHD Assessments via telehealth in MD, VA, DC, and MA
At OutPsych, we approach diagnostic assessments for ADHD and autism in a nuanced and affirming way.
Individualized treatment recommendations and daily strategies to address your unique needs.
Middle path assessment and treatment philosophy—blending academic & clinical expertise with a social & relational understanding of neurodiversity
Education and advocacy for workplace accommodations and self-care techniques
Our goal is to empower your true self, provide you with valuable knowledge, and help you feel ready to live authentically and joyfully.
The psychiatric field has some work to do.
If you’re a neurodivergent adult, you probably know our field hasn’t done much to earn your trust.
From outdated assessment methods & inaccurate stereotypes, to racial and gender disparities in diagnosis & treatment, it’s no wonder many of my patients have struggled to get what they need.
We often see high-masking neurodivergent adults who—as a result of not being affirmed in their true selves—have struggled with depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use, and unrelenting anxiety for years with no relief.
While self-diagnosis is valid for many reasons, you may want or need formal diagnosis to access supports, accommodations, or just to quiet the self-doubt.
“Once I was diagnosed, I understood better the way that my mind worked, and that elevated my thinking about myself.”
— Hannah Gadsby
The Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you can expect about our assessment process after reading this page.
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Go to any of the “contact” or “book a free consultation call” buttons to submit a contact form and schedule a free 15 minute consultation call. The initial call is where we can go over what led you to reach out, and we can answer your questions about the process.
This may be on zoom, or over the phone depending on the provider you’re scheduled with (our preferences differ, and we accommodate that for ourselves!)
After you book the call, there will be a HIPAA-secure form where you have an opportunity to let us know about any communication needs or other preferences after you book the call.
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We will have a 15-20 minute consultation where we can hear what led you to reach out, and determine whether your situation falls within our skill set for assessment. Some situations are better suited for other types of providers, so this call helps us know whether we have the proper expertise to work with you. You will also get the opportunity to ask us questions to ensure it feels like a good fit for you.
Towards the end of the call, we will find a time for your first 1-2 assessment visits, and explain a bit about the intake forms that we ask you to fill out prior to that appointment.
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After our phone call, I will send you an intake packet of forms and questionnaires to fill out prior to our first session. This will likely take you between 45 minutes and 90 minutes if done thoughtfully. They will all be electronic, and they auto-save so you can return to them if you aren’t able to finish them all in one sitting. If you are completing any of the autism questionnaires, please block off enough time to at least finish a single questionnaire in one sitting, however.
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We will have about 3-4 appointments that go between 50-60 minutes in length apiece. They are often spaced between 2 days and 1 week apart, so expect that the entirety of this step will last 3 weeks to 1 month at the least.
During these visits, we will ask you a lot of questions about some of your life experiences, your day-to-day preferences, challenges you face, and things you’re good at. All the questions are interested in getting to know you better as well as assessing for specific differences related to your neurotype(s).
Between our appointments, we’ll also be taking the time to reach out to your therapist (if you have one), family/friends, or any other relevant providers. That part is all at your discretion and isn’t mandatory. Family and friends can be helpful because they may see things from a unique lens, but that isn’t always the case.
We may also send you additional standardized questionnaires to fill in any gaps, or to help specify traits between diagnoses so we can be more confident in our final assessment.
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If desired, we will prepare a written report and summary that includes formal diagnoses and insight into the intersection of neurodevelopmental differences, cultural/family dynamics, secondary mental health disorders, and how masking and other trauma adaptations helped you survive oppressive environments.
While no specific diagnoses are guaranteed, we are more likely than most clinicians to identify high-masking autistic and/or ADHD presentations because this is a population we work with day in and day out.
Your written report also provides information for your therapist or other supports on potential treatment targets, workplace accommodations, helpful resources, and neurodiversity-affirming self-care/daily living strategies.
After the report has been sent to you, we typically have one final visit to discuss any questions you have about integrating this new information into your life.
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While some folks seek us out solely for assessment purposes, it’s sometimes the case that our patients want to work with us as ongoing providers for psychiatric care, gender-affirming care, or other types of care in our specialties.
Since we build such a deep foundation of rapport and understanding you through this assessment process, that’s often a natural progression in the work, if people need ongoing care within our specialties. You’d be able to discuss this with your provider at any point along the journey.
A collaborative, affirming assessment experience
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We are skilled and thoughtful diagnosticians who are committed to getting to the root of your questions and providing insights that are actually helpful to you. We will spend extensive time conducting in-depth clinical interviewing and reviewing your responses to standardized questionnaires to truly understand your lived experiences.
You will receive a written report (if desired) that includes formal diagnoses and insight into the intersection of neurodevelopmental differences, cultural/family dynamics, secondary mental health disorders, and how masking and other trauma adaptations helped you survive oppressive environments. While no specific diagnoses are guaranteed, we are more likely than most clinicians to identify high-masking autistic and/or ADHD presentations because this is a population we work with day in and day out.
Your written report also provides information for your therapist or other supports on potential treatment targets, workplace accommodations, and neurodiversity-affirming self-care/daily living strategies.
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Your assessment will be viewed through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, which means that we’re looking for differences, not deficits.
We aim to create an empowering experience throughout the testing process, and value your input on how we can better live up to this goal it if we ever fall short. When discussing challenges and support needs, we will consider the impact of ableism within society and the dominant neurotypical culture.
Once we identify and support neurodevelopmental differences, something amazing happens. Other mental health challenges tend to decrease. People start seeing themselves in a more positive light, feeling stronger in their unique abilities and more connected to a bigger community. They become more confident in speaking up for themselves and living their lives in more fulfilling ways.
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OutPsych already specializes in working with queer & trans folks, and our providers are folks with lived queer and/or trans experience. We know that you deserve healthcare that affirms your gender, respects your experience living under cis-heteronormativity, and uses your name & pronouns.