​Adult Autism Assessments Indiana and Texas

I offer assessments for those who suspect they are Autistic and would like a professional opinion. I will also explore ADHD with you. These appointments are done online, from wherever you are most comfortable. I complete the MIGDAS-2 Adult with folks and I trained with the creator. I specialize in adult female identifying folks. I am licensed and can see clients located in Indiana or Texas  (Indiana License Number: 34007071A and Texas License Number: 68646). Scroll down for my neurodiversity story and resources. 

Process:
  • Email me so we can discuss further. Please send me a screenshot of your results from the RAADS-R,  the CAT-Q and the ASRS, along with any details/notes/other tests to help me understand why you believe neurodiversity is likely.
  • I schedule via Telehealth, usually on Thursdays or Fridays, as my schedule permits. I do not currently have a waitlist for these and have appointments within 30-60 days of inquiry. I am located in Eastern Time Zone.
  • Prior to our appointment:
    • Pay a non-refundable deposit of $200.
    • Complete paperwork, which includes where you write about your experience in more detail, complete the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) and the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS).
    • If you wish to have family members complete scales, I can provide those on request.
    • You may also upload any other notes from yourself or others for me to review before we meet.
    • Before we meet, I will review everything you provide and score your questionnaires
The day of our appointment (please block 3 hours-usually takes 2 but I like to be safe):
  • We will complete the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2).
  • Feel free to use any fidgets, stims, comfort items, etc during your appointment.
  • Dress as comfortable as you wish and be in an environment that is most comfortable to you. It's ok if your pets are with you. You can walk around and move about. It's also ok to take breaks or snack.
  • Your remaining non-refundable balance of $500 will be charged before your appointment. If it is declined, your appointment will be cancelled and cannot be rescheduled until payment arrangements are made. I am also able to work out a payment plan but the balance must be paid in full by the time of your appointment. 
We will finish up by: 
  • Discuss all of what your questionnaires and consult indicated
  • Answer any questions you have

​Total cost: $700 - self-pay only, insurance is not accepted
Please contact me via email only at: ​onestepforwardconsult@gmail.com
Please note, what I am offering is not psychological testing or a neuropsychological evaluation. Indiana and Texas code specifies that LCSWs may use appraisal tools in the diagnostic process and this is what is being utilized. I am offering an assessment to determine if neurodiversity is an explanation for what you have been experiencing. Autism and ADHD can be diagnosed by an LCSW, if it's within their scope of practice, training and education. I have completed many hours of continuing education on Autism and ADHD, diagnosing adults and trained with the MIGDAS-2 creator. 

I am not ideal for those applying for disability, requesting accommodations, needing assistance with guardianship or are not verbally fluent. In all of those scenarios, your best bet is to pursue neuropsychological testing where they provide you a full written report. I can provide a basic letter but not a report. Some organizations are very rigid on what they will and will not accept as a "proper diagnostic process" - even though there is no agreed upon standard for diagnosing adults. While I deeply disagree with this, as I know how difficult it is to find a competent clinician, I do not want anyone to miss out on the services they deserve because of this. Please review what is needed in your particular situation before moving forward with me.

I do not offer counseling for neurodiverse folks.

My Neurodiversity Story

I am a later in life diagnosed Autistic woman (in my 30's!) and understand the challenges and relief of learning of this diagnosis. I was doing research and read Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I kept thinking, this sounds oddly familiar to my life. Even as a trained clinician, I had no understanding of Autism and had the stereotypes in my head, so I never suspected myself. I just knew I always felt different but did not know why. I was often criticized for social faux pas. There were also patterns of behavior and sensory issues that I learned others were not typically experiencing. This came as a shock to me because my own bias and lack of knowledge had lead me to believe certain things about ASD that simply were not true.

Once I believed this was likely, per my usual, I went into overdrive to learn everything I could about women on the spectrum (hello special interest deep dives!). I watched every video, listened to every podcast, read the articles, did the online tests, read a bunch of books, completed clinical trainings and came to the conclusion this was very likely.

I'm one of those people that like the facts, so I had to know for sure. I'm not saying professional diagnosis is the only accepted option, but for me, it was important. I then learned how hard and expensive! it was to find someone. Particularly someone competent. I read a lot of horror stories on Reddit of people who spent the $1.5K+ to be told "you do not have Autism because you make eye contact."  When I got on the waitlist for one organization, it was over 2 years away. I also did not find it essential to do an entire battery of testing/a full neuropsychological evaluation. From my research, there is not an accepted standard for diagnosing adults, so I did not see a point. I ended up finding another woman on the spectrum, Dr. Lauren Megrew, who did cost-effective and less intense consults. Through this experience, I learned there is a serious access issue for folks. So, I went on to do additional training and research so that I could offer assessments to people who wanted the professional opinion but did not need/want a full psych eval. 

I have been a counselor for over a decade and am Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am licensed in Indiana and Texas (Indiana License Number: 34007071A and Texas License Number: 68646). I also own and operate my private practice, One Step Forward Counseling. I attended the University of Southern Indiana for my MSW (Master of Social Work) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale for my BSW (Bachelor of Social Work). I offer folks the MIGDAS-2 Adult during appointments and I trained with the creator. My spouse is also neurodiverse (ADHD).  ​

Resources

Other assessment options: GRASP, Dr. Lauren Megrew & Reclaimed Divergence
Neuropsych testing in Indiana: Dr. Kassandra Lowery 
​
Therapy Options in Indiana (I do not offer therapy for ASD clients): Diana Kafoure, Jessica Cannon, Laurie Budlong-Morse, Rachael Bain-Chase, Jessica Buescher, Kelly Ernsperger, Brooke Bastin & Julie Kransnow

Webinar:
Could I Be Autistic? A Free Webinar for the Self-Diagnosed and Wondering

YouTube Channels:
​ADHD Love
​Mom on the Spectrum
How to ADHD
Yo Samdy Sam

Books:
Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder
When an Adult You Love Has ADHD
Divergent Mind
Nerdy, Shy and Socially Inappropriate 
Odd Girl Out
​Dirty Laundry

Article:
I'm Autistic, Now What?