Assessing and Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults
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My practice is located in San Francisco. I also offer video consultations for people throughout California.
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Please complete the following after contacting Dr. Kenneth Roberson.
Assessing and Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults
Why Seek a Diagnosis?
The reasons for seeking an assessment vary. Your history and current behavior may indicate you have Asperger’s or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Perhaps someone else believes you have ASD and has recommended you be assessed. Your therapist or other professional may want to determine if you have ASD and suggests you seek an assessment from an expert. Whatever the reason may be, it is important to understand what an assessment entails and what the process involves.
How Does One Get an Official ASD Diagnosis?
There are two basic avenues to diagnosing Asperger’s in adults:
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Psychological Testing
Because ASD is related to certain neurological activity in the brain, a certain type of evaluation known as neuropsychological testing is often used to establish whether someone has ASD. The specific areas that are examined and measured in this type of testing include motor and psychomotor skills, memory, executive functions, problem-solving, concept formation, visual-perceptual skills, degree of self-sufficiency in real-life situations, academic achievement (performance in school-like subjects), and personality assessment.
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Clinical Diagnosis
A mental health professional with the credentials and expertise may also make a diagnosis of ASD. Typically, the process involves obtaining a history of the person’s social, emotional, academic and work background; assessing past documentation relevant to possible ASD; and observing how the person relates along certain social/emotional dimensions.
How is a Diagnosis Useful?
The uses of a diagnosis vary quite a bit. Here is a list of some:
- Do a life review. Understand why careers and relationships have or have not been successful.
- Renew or repair relationships affected by Asperger’s.
- Ask for accommodations at work or pursue work that is more fitting.
- Find people who share similar interests.
- Work differently with helping professionals.
- Consider disclosure to family, friends, partner, and/or co-workers.
- Join interest-based groups and strengthen socializing skills.
The Process I Use to Diagnosis ASD
I have a specific process I follow in assessing and diagnosing Asperger’s:
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Questionnaires
I ask you to complete two questionnaires on my website. These are tools to detect whether a person is likely to have ASD. Relying completely on these questionnaires or other self-report measures, however, is not wise as currently there is no single test or groups of tests that conclusively establish the presence of Asperger’s.
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Observation
I meet with you for at least three sessions during which I gather information, ask a series of questions, and observe our interactions. My focus is on assessing your social and emotional presentation, quality of attachment to family members, development of peer relationships and friendships, capacity for self-awareness, perspective-taking and level of insight into social and behavioral problems, and ability to understand another person’s feelings, intentions and beliefs. I also look for the presence of other problem areas such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
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Evaluation
I review any documentation you may have, such as previous school and pediatrician reports, medical assessments, work evaluations or other descriptions that could shed light on the question of ASD. Additionally, I ask someone who knows you well, either by phone or by email, about how you match several dimensions of ASD. The reason for this is to add a perspective to the information that I gather myself during the face-to-face assessment.
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Determination
Based on all the information I have gathered I make a determination of Asperger’s and present my conclusions in a face-to-face meeting with the person.
The Cost of an ASD Assessment
My fee is $250 per session. I don’t charge for scoring the questionnaires or reviewing additional material, unless it is extensive. If a phone call or email correspondence is lengthy, I do charge for the time spent, otherwise I don’t. The total, then, for the assessment is $750.
Finally, the report I give you at the end of the third session is a verbal notification of the findings of the evaluation. If you wish to have a written report, which would include a description of the evaluation process, the results, and my diagnostic determination, I would charge $250 for that.
Please note that all payments are made directly to me. I do not bill insurance companies for my services. However, I can give you a superbill with all the necessary information for you to submit a claim for direct reimbursement. I will add my strong recommendation that should you choose to use insurance benefits that you check with your carrier beforehand to find out your coverage for an ASD assessment.
California Assessment & Treatment Services for Adult Asperger’s
As a trained ASD psychologist, I have worked with patients in San Francisco for many years, but I know how difficult it is for people further afield to reach me for help. Now I am offering video consultations for people with Asperger’s/Autism Spectrum Disorder throughout California. My goal is to determine whether or not my therapy will benefit them without the need for travel, and help them manage their Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As part of my work, I help adults with ASD learn to achieve more balanced and successful lives. Now with my video conference availability, I can help people with ASD within California find the same success!
My mission is to help everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder thrive and lead productive lives without the burden of mental health problems. My video conference service has been set up to allow ASD patients in California to reach out to me as easily as possible, helping them to start their journey towards high-functioning behaviors and more successful lives. This includes:
- Overcoming negative interactions respectfully
- Developing a health balance between work and family life
- Improving shared decision making
- Setting and maintaining positive, healthy personal boundaries
Click the ‘Get Started’ button below to complete the intake process. Then, we will arrange a video consultation, and begin your journey to a successful life with ASD.