What distinguishes our diagnostic evaluations from psychological testing or a full neuropsychological evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive process that involves assessing cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral functioning. It can be time-consuming and sometimes very costly, incorporating various types of psychological testing and is conducted by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. This type of evaluation is valuable for exploring a wide range of potential explanations for behavioral, social, and emotional symptoms. It is particularly useful for assessing IQ, developmental and neuro-cognitive differences for educational needs such as specific learning disabilities and evaluating memory issues.

Our approach is different:

First, I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington State, not a Licensed Clinical Psychologists. This distinction means we have different educational backgrounds and foundational training. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers are ethically and legally qualified to use the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 TR) to diagnose ADHD and Autism in Washington State.

Our evaluation process includes widely known and respected assessments and self-report questionnaires, and interview sessions using neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based diagnostic interview protocol. However, it does not include neuropsychological testing.

Can only a psychologist diagnose Autism and/or ADHD?

It's a common misconception that only psychologists can diagnose Autism and/or ADHD and that full psychological testing is required. Licensed Mental Health Counselors and other licensed professionals with appropriate assessment training are legally and ethically able to diagnose Autism and/or ADHD in Washington State. While psychological testing by a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can be valuable for identifying co-occurring conditions, it is not always necessary for diagnosing Autism and/or ADHD.

Many neurodivergent individuals experience co-occurring challenges due to various factors. Specialized Autism and/or ADHD evaluations can provide crucial insights into neuro-differences to foster self-acceptance, authenticity, and accessible support for neurodivergent people.

Do you offer online/tele-health evaluations?
Yes, with the exception of the Advanced Evaluation that includes the ADOS-2 Assessment, that assessment is done in-person.

Do you take insurance?

No. In our attempt to offer evaluations at the lowest price possible while also balancing the needs of our providers, we have chosen a cash-pay model. This approach allows us to avoid the time-consuming and often frustrating process of dealing with insurance companies, ensuring a smoother and quicker experience for our clients. By eliminating the need for insurance paperwork and approval, we can focus more on delivering high-quality, personalized assessments without unnecessary delays. This also protects our evaluation client’s personal information.

Why do you prefer the MIDGAS-2 Assessment? Why not use the ADOS-2 since it’s one of the “gold standard” assessments?

The short answer is: The ADOS-2 is not necessary for diagnosis and it can be less sensitive (meaning it fails to identify the autism) in females and people who camouflage their symptoms.

We prioritize the most effective and inclusive tools for evaluating Autism and ADHD. While the ADOS-2 has long been considered a "gold standard" in autism assessments and is widely recognized by medical professionals, we prefer using the MIGDAS-2 assessment for several important reasons:

1. Sensitivity to Autistic Experiences: The MIGDAS-2 is specifically designed to be sensitive to the diverse experiences of autistic individuals. It recognizes the unique ways autism can present, especially in those who also have ADHD as well as those who ‘mask’ the symptoms of autism. The ADOS-2 can be less sensitive to people who mask/camouflage their symptoms and experiences, resulting in false-negatives.

2. Works well for Gifted/Twice-Exceptional people: Gifted/2e people that score well on the ADOS-2 because they know what they "should" do might be ‘missed’ in the diagnostic process, the MIDGAS-2 assessment works well at identifying autistic traits in these people.

3. Respectful and Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach: The MIGDAS-2 aligns with our commitment to a neurodiversity-affirming framework and our deep desire to make sure that people do not get false-negative results. This approach respects and validates the unique neurological differences of each individual, rather than viewing them solely through a deficit-based lens.

4. It’s about You: The MIGDAS-2 invites you to share your preferred topics and provides a more holistic understanding of an individual’s sensory, social, emotional, and behavioral experiences. Dr Marilyn J. Monteiro, Ph.D, the creator of MIDGAS-2, reports, “The MIGDAS-2 diagnostic interview process invites individuals to share their worldview through the entry point of preferred topics and sensory materials. This entry point is paired with reducing the social communication and task demands. So, when individuals have the experience of being invited to share their worldview, masking becomes unnecessary. Individuals with autism spectrum brain style differences often use masking to manage stressful interactions with others. When they encounter the clinician and interview setting in which social communication demands are minimized and their worldview is encouraged, respected, and shared, they do not experience the need to mask their differences. Many individuals who typically mask but have been through the MIGDAS-2 sensory-based interview process report a sese of relief that their experiences are recognized and understood.” (full document can be found here)

By choosing the MIGDAS-2, we ensure that our assessments are not only accurate but also respectful and affirming of the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals. This commitment to inclusivity and sensitivity is at the heart of our evaluation process.

If a mental health care professional indicates that the ADOS-2 is necessary, please ask them for research or a definitive statement by a reputable source (such as the American Psychological Association).

That being said, we ARE willing to use the ADOS-2 in your evaluation if you would like us to use it, it is offered in our Advanced Evaluation package.