Adult Autism & ADHD Assessments

Comprehensive Adult Autism and ADHD Evaluations in Washington State

Understanding yourself can change everything.

Many adults spend years wondering why certain things have always felt more difficult than they seem to be for other people. You may have been told you're "too sensitive," "overthink everything," "just have anxiety," or "need to try harder." Others have learned to mask their differences so well that their struggles have gone unnoticed for decades.

For some people, the missing piece is understanding autism, ADHD, or both.

I provide comprehensive, neurodivergent-affirming assessments designed to help adults better understand how their brain works—not to define who they are, but to provide clarity, validation, and practical direction for the future.

Assessments are provided through Northwest Mental Health Alliance.

Why Seek an Adult Autism or ADHD Assessment?

Many adults pursue an evaluation because they've begun to recognize patterns in themselves that were never identified in childhood.

You might be wondering:

  • Why do I feel exhausted after social interactions?

  • Why have I always felt different?

  • Why is it so difficult to start or finish tasks?

  • Why do I become overwhelmed by noise, lights, or unexpected changes?

  • Why do relationships seem harder for me than they appear to be for others?

  • Why do I struggle with organization despite trying so hard?

  • Why do I mask who I really am?

An assessment can help answer these questions and provide a clearer understanding of your strengths, challenges, and support needs.

Our Approach

I believe an assessment should be far more than checking boxes on a questionnaire.

Every evaluation combines standardized assessment tools with an in-depth clinical interview, developmental history, and careful consideration of how your experiences fit together.

Rather than asking, "Do you meet criteria?" I also ask:

"Does this diagnosis accurately explain your lived experience?"

My approach is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and individualized. I recognize that autism and ADHD can look very different across individuals and that many adults—especially women, high-maskers, and late-identified adults—have learned to compensate in ways that may have delayed recognition.

Autism, ADHD, or Both?

Autism and ADHD frequently occur together, and they also share characteristics that can make distinguishing between them challenging.

During your evaluation, we'll consider:

  • Attention and executive functioning

  • Social communication

  • Sensory processing

  • Repetitive behaviors and routines

  • Emotional regulation

  • Masking and camouflaging

  • Developmental history

  • Daily functioning

  • Trauma history and other factors that may influence symptoms

The goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis but to provide an accurate understanding of your unique presentation.

What the Assessment Includes

Our adult evaluations typically include:

  • Comprehensive clinical interview

  • Developmental history

  • Review of current symptoms

  • Standardized assessment measures

  • Clinical interpretation of results

  • Written diagnostic report (when appropriate)

  • Feedback session to review findings and recommendations

Every assessment is individualized based on your history and referral questions.

Why a Diagnosis Can Matter

Receiving a diagnosis isn't about putting yourself in a box.

For many people, it brings:

  • Validation

  • Self-understanding

  • Self-compassion

  • Better communication with loved ones

  • Workplace or educational accommodations

  • More effective therapy

  • A framework for understanding lifelong experiences

Many clients describe finally feeling like their life makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you diagnose adults?

Yes. I provide adult autism and ADHD assessments through Northwest Mental Health Alliance.

Can adults be diagnosed later in life?

Absolutely. Many adults are identified in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond. Increased awareness has helped many people recognize lifelong patterns that were previously overlooked.

Do you assess women?

Yes. Autism and ADHD often present differently in women and those who have spent years masking their differences. My assessment process considers these differences carefully.

Can someone have both autism and ADHD?

Yes. It is very common for autism and ADHD to occur together. A comprehensive evaluation considers both conditions and how they may interact.

What if I've already been diagnosed with anxiety or depression?

Many adults seeking autism or ADHD assessments have previously been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, OCD, or other mental health conditions. Sometimes these diagnoses accurately describe part of the picture, and sometimes they coexist with neurodivergence. A comprehensive evaluation helps clarify what best explains your experiences.

Is the assessment neurodivergent-affirming?

Yes. My goal is not to "fix" autism or ADHD. The assessment process is designed to help you understand yourself, recognize your strengths, identify areas of challenge, and make informed decisions about supports and accommodations.

Do you use standardized assessment tools?

Yes. Every evaluation incorporates standardized assessment measures along with a detailed clinical interview and professional judgment. No single questionnaire determines a diagnosis; the assessment considers the full picture of your developmental history, current functioning, and lived experience. For Autism we also include the MIGDAS-2 Interview which is a tool designed specifically to help accurately diagnose high-masking people.

Schedule an Assessment

If you've spent years wondering why life has always felt just a little different, an assessment may provide the clarity you've been searching for.

Adult autism and ADHD assessments are provided through Northwest Mental Health Alliance by appointment.