Autism Testing & Diagnosis
Clarity. Compassion. A plan that works.
MindWell Psychology provides gold‑standard evaluations for children, teens, and adults who may be on the autism spectrum.
Why Choose MindWell Psychology for Autism Testing
- Doctoral‑level clinicians only. All testing is performed by licensed PhD/PsyD psychologists—never trainees or techs.
- Gold-standard tools. We use ADOS-2, MIGDAS alongside other validated measures.
- Whole‑person, differential diagnosis. We carefully untangle autism traits from ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and mood concerns across home, school, work, and social settings.
- Customized—not cookie‑cutter. Your testing plan evolves as we learn more about you or your child.
- Actionable next steps. You’ll receive clear results, diagnoses as appropriate, and recommendations you can use immediately at school, home, and work.
Who We Help
- Early Childhood (0–5): Developmental concerns, limited gestures, sensory sensitivities, repetitive play, minimal eye contact.
- School‑Age (5+): Social confusion, intense interests, meltdowns with change, masking that leads to burnout, attention/learning challenges.
- Teens & Adults: Social communication differences, late‑identified autism, anxiety or depression related to masking, burnout, questions after years of feeling “different.”
Autism Testing Options
Developmental Testing (ages 5 and under)
- Often used to rule in or rule out an autism diagnosis. We evaluate social relatedness, language, attention, memory, play, adaptive skills, and behavior.
Comprehensive Testing (all ages; complex questions)
- A complex look at the interaction between cognitive, neuropsychological, and social-emotional factors. The evaluation provides an understanding of all areas of functioning and the impact of neurodivergence. Helps when differentiating ASD from ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences. Anyone considering a diagnosis of ASD for the first time will need comprehensive testing.
How an Evaluation Helps
- School supports: Use results to inform IEP/504 planning and classroom accommodations.
- Therapy & skills: Match interventions (e.g., CBT, social learning, OT/ST referrals) to your specific profile.
- Workplace clarity: For adults, results can guide reasonable accommodations and communication strategies.
- Family insight: Understand strengths and challenges so home life feels more predictable and supportive.
Signs That May Warrant an Autism Evaluation
- More comfortable with indirect eye contact; Comfortable making eye contact only with known individuals; Tends not to use expressive gestures (e.g. using hands or face for emphasis) or instrumental gesture (e.g. pointing)
- Uses certain words or phrases frequently or uses statements they have ‘picked up’ from TV or other people; difficulty knowing what to say in the moment; Back and forth conversations are a challenge
- Shows less obvious emotion using facial expression, tone, or body language; Mismatch between statements and emotions; Animated only when discussing specific areas of interest
- Meltdowns or shutdowns with noise, touch, crowds, or unexpected change. Avoids certain sensations such as types of clothing, food textures, or noises as not all kids have obvious meltdowns.
- Can become fascinated by sensory experiences (watching wheels spin, pressing buttons for sounds, rubbing objects)
- Highly focused interests; repetitive movements (flapping, pacing, rocking)
If several of these resonate—or if previous diagnoses (like ADHD) don’t fully explain things—a thorough evaluation can help.
Meet Our Autism Evaluation Team
Check Our
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We assess teens and adults, including late‑identified individuals and those exploring autism after years of masking.
Licensed doctoral‑level psychologists conduct all testing at MindWell.
Most evaluations include an intake, 2–3 testing sessions, questionnaires, and a feedback meeting. Timelines vary by case complexity.
Yes—when you grant permission, we collaborate to ensure recommendations are practical and actionable.
A comprehensive report (typically 20–40 pages) with results, diagnoses when appropriate, and step‑by‑step recommendations.
Some components (e.g., intake or feedback) may be offered virtually when clinically appropriate; standardized testing is completed in person.
Ready to Get Started?
Appointments are limited and fill quickly. Reach out to discuss availability and next steps.
Call: (703) 378-7998
Email: contact@mindwell.us
Request an Autism Evaluation >>
This page is informational and not a substitute for medical advice. A formal diagnosis is made only after a licensed clinician completes a comprehensive evaluation.