• Diagnostic evaluation is the process of determining if someone meets the clinical criteria for a diagnosis, like autism and ADHD.

• In our country, diagnostic evaluation typically uses the DSM-5-TR criteria. When used directly, this language can feel pathologizing. In order to create a neuro-affirming experience, we designed an interview process that asks thoughtful, affirming questions, while ensuring we clinically meet the DSM criteria for autism. For ADHD, we use the DIVA-5 interview model. For both, we also invite clients to complete self-assessments; while this is optional, it gives the chance for additional data to support diagnosis. We can also provide these to parents and teachers. All of the tools we use were carefully selected to create an experience that leaves clients feeling genuinely seen and heard.

• We follow the Lived Experience Informed Practice model, meaning lived experience is the foundation for our diagnostic exploration. We then blend this with an understanding of your teen’s life circumstances, an intersectional lens, clinical best practice, and evidence-based research to make meaning.

• We engage our clients collaboratively during this process, which includes: gathering a detailed history through an intake questionnaire (required for the teen’s adult(s) and optional for the teen); completing self-assessments (optional for all); conducting a clinical interview session; and writing a detailed report that includes evaluation outcomes, recommendations, and accommodation letters for college and/or work.

• Yes! In the Commonwealth of Virginia, under Virginia Code §54.1-3500, licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) can provide diagnostic services at the autonomous practice level and use the DSM for diagnostic evaluation. (Learn more here.) We map our diagnostic reports back to the DSM-5-TR for this reason.

• While LCSWs cannot conduct full neuropsychological testing, autism and ADHD evaluations don’t require this for diagnosis. While there are some reasons a Doctorate-level provider may be necessary, such as when applying for SSDI, our method gives access to a clinical diagnosis, detailed written report, recommendations, and resources. We also can include accommodation letters for work and school (at no extra charge); we have found colleges to welcome Masters-level diagnosis, and we use approaches that maximize this acceptance.

• This section contains a lot of info, but we include this for our fellow autistic/ADHD folx who benefit from clear, detailed expectations.

• You will complete our client inquiry form to let us know you would like to schedule. We will then email you with date/time options, and you will be expected to reply to schedule. We see clients on Fridays, usually scheduling about 1-3 months out.

• Once you schedule your teen’s session, you will be emailed a link through Carepatron, our HIPAA-compliant portal. You are expected to establish your portal for ongoing communication. This step also includes signing the client consents and is due within two weeks of scheduling with us; if your teen is 14+ they will also have consents to sign. Please also let us know if your teen wants their own portal, as well!

• You will also receive your intake questionnaire and invoice through the portal, as will your teen (though their questionnaire is optional). The completed questionnaires and paid invoice need to be done at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled interview session. (If you choose the split payment option, your first payment is due 3 weeks prior to your session.) Make sure you give yourself 1-2 hours for the questionnaire!

• During the clinical interview session, your teen is invited to stim, take breaks, and care for themself in whatever ways they need. If in-person, our office has lots of comfy seating, plenty of fidgets to choose from, and natural lighting, as well as a cozy waiting room for you to wait. Here is a picture of what our office looks like! (We also have the option of an office with no windows for light sensitive folx.) They can also bring whatever they need to feel supported (fidgets, comfort items, food, drinks, etc.) and wear comfy clothes — we model inclusivity by doing the same!

• Within 3 weeks following the interview session (usually in 1-2 weeks!), you and our teen will receive the written report via the portal, as well as an email explaining how read the report — see the question below for info about what that report includes!

• Once you’ve had time to read the report in detail, you might have questions or need additional support. You can email your clinician with questions or if you need edits made. Otherwise, these reports are designed to be used with your teen’s primary therapist, or they can schedule a self-discovery session with our clinician if they want to do a deeper dive into their identity.

Within 1-3 weeks of the interview session, you and your teen will receive a detailed written report, which is usually 30-50+ pages. While that may feel overwhelming, it’s meant to serve as a “guidebook” for ongoing identity development post-diagnosis; this is especially crucial for this age! When we provide the report, you will also receive an email about how to read and understand it.

The report will include your teen’s diagnosis, notes from their interview session, the assessment scores, and a comprehensive resources and recommendations section to guide self-exploration.

They will also receive accommodation letters for both school and work, in case they need them! If they need these customized to meet specific requirements, such as for a specific college, that’s included.

Finally, you’ll receive a “mini report” — this is a 3-4 page condensed version of the report (including diagnosis) that they can provide to providers, therapists, etc., should they want to share their diagnosis for reasons such as medication access or ongoing therapy. Since their full report includes a lot of personal information from their interview session, the “mini report” meets the expectations of providers, without sharing too much of their personal information.

• We provide services both in-person and virtually via telehealth.

• Our office for in-person sessions is in Richmond, VA near Bryan Park (address provided upon scheduling). The space is owned by The Properties of Light and is thoughtfully neuro-inclusive. We welcome clients traveling from other states to our office.

• We also provide virtual sessions throughout Virginia, as long as the client is in the state at the time of the session. Our video conferencing platforms are secure and HIPAA-compliant.