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Heather Emerson-Young

Heather Emerson-Young

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Autism & ADHD assessments that validate your story, honor your brain, and guide you toward clarity.

🌈 Lived Experience, Clinical Insight: Why I Do This Work

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I came to this work through both lived experience and professional passion.
 

I’ve spent my life loving, raising, teaching, and working alongside neurodivergent individuals. I’m in a long-term neurodiverse marriage, I’m the mother of two wonderfully unique children, and I’ve worked across nonprofit, educational, and therapeutic spaces with people whose brains just don’t fit the “standard mold.”
 

My personal and professional journey has shown me how hard it is to go through life sensing that something is different—but not having the words to explain it. 
 

Many of the clients I work with describe feeling “out of sync” with the world for decades before wondering: 
 

Could this be autism?
 

Could this be ADHD?
 

That’s where I come in.

🧠 What Is an Adult Autism Assessment?​

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Getting an autism assessment as an adult is about more than just getting a label.

It’s about understanding why certain things have always felt harder than they “should.” Why social interactions are exhausting. Why sensory overload hits like a tidal wave. Why relationships, school, or work never quite made sense the way they seemed to for others.
 

My assessments are designed to answer these questions through a process that is collaborative, compassionate, and affirming.

We’ll look at the full picture—your childhood experiences, sensory profile, communication patterns, masking tendencies, executive functioning, and how you relate to the world.
 

For many clients, this process is profoundly validating. It’s not about finding out “what’s wrong.” It’s about understanding how your brain works—and what it needs to thrive.

âš¡ What Is an ADHD Assessment?

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ADHD isn’t just about forgetting your keys or fidgeting.

In adults, especially women and AFAB individuals, ADHD often shows up as:
 

  • Emotional overwhelm
     

  • Difficulty prioritizing or following through
     

  • Hyperfocus that burns you out
     

  • Shame around “not being consistent”
     

  • Trouble managing time or mental clutter
     

My adult ADHD assessments dig deeper than surface-level behaviors.

We explore the cognitive and emotional patterns that may have been misinterpreted, minimized, or masked over time. Many of the people I work with say that finally getting clarity on their ADHD helped them let go of years of guilt—and start building systems that work with their brain, not against it.

💬 What Makes My Approach Unique​

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My background spans education, nonprofit work, psychology, and communication, all woven together by one consistent goal: making sure people feel seen and supported for who they really are.
 

I bring:

  • A doctorate in education
     

  • Dual degrees in communication
     

  • A master's in marriage and family therapy
     

  • Over five years supporting the unhoused, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with learning differences
     

  • Lived experience in a neurodiverse marriage and family
     

  • Teaching experience at the community college, undergraduate, and graduate levels
     

I understand how complex and layered this journey can be. I don’t just assess—I walk alongside you with curiosity, humility, and deep respect for the path you’ve already traveled.

🪞Why an Assessment Can Be Life-Changing​

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Many of my clients come into this process feeling anxious, unsure, or even ashamed of asking the question: Could I be autistic? Could I have ADHD?
 

The answer isn’t always yes—but the process is always valuable.
 

You may walk away with a diagnosis, or with new insight into how your nervous system operates. Either way, you’ll leave with more self-understanding—and that changes everything. For many, it opens the door to:
 

  • Better communication with loved ones
     

  • More effective support systems at work
     

  • Greater self-compassion and less internalized shame
     

  • Freedom to unmask and live more authentically

🧩 The Assessment Process: What to Expect​

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My assessment process is built around conversation, reflection, and evidence-based tools. I work with you—not just on you—to ensure that the results reflect your lived reality.
 

We’ll cover:

  • Developmental history
     

  • Masking and social adaptation strategies
     

  • Sensory sensitivities and overload
     

  • Executive functioning patterns
     

  • Emotional regulation and communication
     

  • Identity formation and self-perception
     

Every step is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and adapted to fit your communication style and cognitive needs.

🌿 Post-Assessment Support​

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Receiving a diagnosis—or even just new clarity—can stir up a lot. I offer space to debrief, reflect, and explore what this means for your next chapter.
 

This could include:
 

  • Helping you explain your diagnosis to loved ones
     

  • Developing accommodations or advocacy plans
     

  • Exploring new strategies for communication and regulation
     

  • Navigating grief, relief, or complex emotions post-diagnosis
     

An assessment is a beginning—not an ending. And I’m here to help you make meaning out of it.

🎓 Education & Professional Background​

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  • Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #154676
     

  • Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
     

  • Doctorate in Education
     

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Communication
     

  • Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
     

  • Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452
     

  • Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers
     

  • Over five years of experience in nonprofit work serving marginalized communities
     

  • Adjunct professor in community college, undergraduate, and graduate programs

💡 A Final Word​

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Seeking an adult autism or ADHD assessment can feel vulnerable. You might be wondering if you’re making too big a deal out of things—or worrying that you’ll be dismissed again, like before.
 

I want you to know: I see you. And I take your questions seriously.
 

Whether you’re pursuing answers for the first time or coming back after a lifetime of misdiagnosis or missed support, I’m here to offer a process that’s grounded in compassion, curiosity, and clarity.
 

You deserve to know who you are—and to build a life that honors it.

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