FAQ's

All sessions are "telehealth", meaning Zoom or comparable platform. All sessions are 50 minutes in length.

Investing in testing today can give you clarity and direction, avoiding years of uncertainty. All of our costs are laid out on our "Services Overview" page. https://www.adult-autism-assessment.com/new-services If you have any questions, please ask your clinician. She or he would be glad to walk you through all of your options.

No, we do not. Please also be aware of the limitations below: ​ We do NOT provide assessments to children (under 18 years old) as this is a distinct specialty. We do NOT provide assessments outside of California; however, we would be glad to provide specialized neurodiverse coaching no matter where you live. We do NOT administer assessments for adults without verbal fluency. We do NOT provide assessments to clients who are solely seeking an assessment and do not wish to receive couples or individual counseling. We believe that knowledge is rarely enough for our clients. Knowledge needs to be combined with a clear growth plan and caring support. We do NOT perform neuropsychological testing such as tests which specifically measure motor and psychomotor skills, memory, concept formation, visual-perceptual skills, degree of self-sufficiency in real-life situations, and academic achievement (performance in school-like subjects). Such tests are NOT required for an ASD or ADHD diagnosis.

We only provide assessments to those who are living in California. If you live outside of California, we can provide neurodivergent-informed coaching, but not an assessment and diagnosis.

We are insurance-friendly. As an out-of-network provider, we will send you a Superbill for therapy services that you can submit to your insurance company so long as you are in the state of California. Read more on our INSURANCE INFO page.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), classifies Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into three severity levels based on the amount of support needed. These levels help to better understand and provide appropriate care for individuals with ASD. Level 1: "Requiring Support" - Level 1 ASD is the mildest form. Individuals at this level may have difficulties in social communication and may find it hard to initiate interactions with others. They typically can speak in full sentences and engage in communication but might struggle with more nuanced social interactions, such as understanding sarcasm or nonliteral language. - These individuals might have inflexible behavior, difficulty switching between activities, or problems with organization and planning, which can cause impairment in personal, social, or occupational functioning. Level 2: "Requiring Substantial Support" - Individuals with Level 2 ASD have more noticeable difficulties in social communication compared to Level 1. They might have limited conversational skills, and their atypical or unsuccessful responses in social situations are more apparent. - Repetitive behaviors are more evident at this level. These individuals might struggle with changes in their environment or routine and may have more restrictive and repetitive behaviors that interfere significantly with functioning in various contexts. Level 3: "Requiring Very Substantial Support" - Level 3 ASD represents the most severe form, where individuals require a great deal of support. They have severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills, causing severe impairments in functioning. Social interactions are highly limited. - Repetitive behaviors are more pronounced and can be very disruptive to daily life. These individuals may be extremely resistant to change or have difficulties shifting focus or action. It's important to remember that ASD is a spectrum, and these levels are not fixed or absolute. An individual's needs can change over time, and the level of support required can vary depending on various factors such as environment, stress, and co-occurring conditions. Each person with ASD is unique, and the severity level does not necessarily reflect their abilities or potential.

We can assist with some aspects of job accommodations and disability applications, but there are important limitations. Here’s what we can do and what you need to know. How We Can Help Letters for Your Employer We can provide a letter for you to share with your employer. With your written consent, this letter may include: Any diagnosis we’ve provided. Observations about how your condition affects your ability to function. Information about the focus of our work together. This letter can support your request for accommodations. However: Billing: Preparing letters or documentation will be billed at your therapist’s regular therapy rate. No Guarantees: Employers have the final say on granting accommodations, and approval is not guaranteed. Even when supported by proper documentation, some employers may deny requests. Short-Term Disability Accommodations If you are seeking job accommodations for short-term disability, we may be able to assist by providing documentation about your diagnosis, functional limitations, and recommendations for temporary workplace adjustments. Please discuss your needs with your therapist as early as possible, as preparation requires time and will be billed at their regular rate. EDD Applications for Disability For disability benefits through California’s Employment Development Department (EDD), such as State Disability Insurance (SDI), our assessments may support your application. However: EDD Requirements: The EDD has specific criteria for disability documentation. While our assessments aim to be thorough, we cannot guarantee they will meet EDD’s exact standards. Verification Process: The EDD may consult with their medical experts or request additional information as part of their review process. We recommend reviewing the EDD’s application requirements to ensure all necessary documentation is included. Important Considerations Employer Discretion: Employers have the ultimate authority to grant or deny accommodations, regardless of the documentation provided. While most employers strive to follow legal guidelines, some may not approve requests, even if they seem justified under the law. Legal Protections: If your request is denied or you encounter challenges, consider consulting an employment attorney or advocacy group to understand your rights and next steps. What We Cannot Do Long-Term Disability Forms We cannot complete forms related to long-term disability or accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These typically require specialized evaluations outside our scope of practice. Why? Long-term disability assessments involve legal and policy frameworks that differ from medical diagnoses. They are often intended to establish eligibility for ADA protections and require different expertise. Additional Resources For more guidance, explore these resources: Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Specializes in workplace accommodations. California EDD Website: For detailed information on disability benefits and documentation requirements. We understand how important accommodations are to your success and well-being. While there are limits to what we can do, we are committed to supporting you within our expertise and providing resources to help you navigate this process.

We have full confidence in our team. Those who are Associate level clinicians have a Master's level degree in Clinical Psychology and are pursuing further training under clinical supervision of Dr. Harry Motro. Please know that: In the state of California, Master's level clinicians are authorized to assess and diagnose all mental health issues. This is based on Board of Behavioral Sciences Statutes and Regulations section 4980.02(b) which states are licensed to perform services including the assessment, evaluation, prognosis, treatment, planning and evaluation. This includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in conjunction with providing psychotherapy. We always integrate therapeutic support into the assessment process. All of our clinicians have taken graduate level training on assessment of mental disorders and received additional specific training on neurodivergent assessments as part of our organization. Our battery of assessments are drawn from the top national providers of psychological testing (WPS, Pearson, MHS). As psychotherapists, we have the same access as psychologists. You can read more about our assessment process at: https://www.adult-autism-assessment.com/asd-assessment As opposed to many psychologists and clinicians who are generalists, our team members specialize in neurodiversity and thus are well-versed in understanding the nuances of how ASD and ADHD can present, especially for women. Our group provides over 1,000 therapy sessions per month focused on neurodiversity. This enables our clinicians to be well versed in autism and ADHD characteristics when performing an assessment. Dr. Harry Motro, who is the Clinical Director of the Adult Autism Assessment Center and the Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Center and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, supervises all clinicians and personally reviews all assessments. We want you to understand our process and to earn your full confidence. All of our clinicians will be glad to discuss all of your questions.