Adult Autism Testing in Vermont
Have you ever felt that you had a different kind of brain than most people have? Maybe you’ve always felt out of step with the rest of the world. Perhaps your communication style is unique, and most people just don’t get you. It may be that your amazing brain takes you on whirlwind tours of one rabbit hole after another, and you are carried along from one fascinating interest to the next. Or maybe you struggle to maintain relationships, you lose friends and don’t know what happened. Did everyone else get a handbook on social communication, but you didn’t get yours?
Believe me, you’re not alone. Many people in Vermont have similar experiences. For a good number of them, getting tested for autism was exactly what they needed.
Autism Testing for Adults in Vermont
If you live in Vermont and you think you might be autistic, we can help. Adult Autism Assessment & Services is a neurodiversity-affirming private practice. In other words, we don’t think there’s anything “wrong” with someone if their brain or way of looking at the world is different. It’s fine if you don’t march in lockstep with the rest of the world. Unique ways of thinking and problem solving are important to our advancement as a species, so we value neuro-diversity. But if your differences are making it hard for you to fit in with the neuromajority, and you wonder if you might be autistic, we can help. We provide autism testing for adults living anywhere in Vermont, and across the United States. Because we are a 100% telehealth practice, it doesn’t matter where you live, anywhere from Swanton to Stamford. We can help you get the answers you need and deserve.
What to Expect from Adult Autism Assessment
There will be several steps to getting your autism assessment:
- CONTACT our Practice Manager, the marvelous Meagan, at [email protected]
- INVITATION: Complete the Client Information form she’ll send you and sign the Consultation Invitation. You’ll be offered a free, online consultation, at a day and time that works for you, with one of our team members who can diagnose autism in Vermont.
- CONSULTATION: At your consultation, you’ll have up to 30 minutes to hear from them about the autism assessment process, ask your questions and get answers, and start to get to know the person who can work with you on your autism assessment.
- SCHEDULE: If you decide you want to go forward with the assessment, Meagan will give you a few more forms to fill out, and then she’ll schedule 3 assessment appointments with you.
- SCREENING SESSION: At the first assessment session, you’ll complete a brief Yes/No screener in an interview with your assessor. If the screener looks like it’s probably not autism, you’ll be given the chance to end the whole process right there and owe us nothing. Otherwise, you’ll go on to answer another set of questions that day. The session might take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on whether you answer the questions briefly, or provide extra information. Either way is fine with us, you are in control of how much or how little you talk, as long as you answer the yes/no questions. We want you to be comfortable and feel at ease. We’ll let you know every step of the way if it looks like you’re on track for a diagnosis, and that you made the right choice in seeking out autism assessment.
- SECOND SESSION: At your second assessment session, there are two more Yes/No assessment tools to complete with your assessor. Whether you say nothing but “Yes” and “No,” or whether you go on to describe why you gave that answer in great detail, it’s fine. We can get the information we need either way. If you’re comfortable talking a lot about each question, we are here to listen. This session might last about an hour. At the end of this session, we’ll let you know again if you’re still on the path toward diagnosis. If not, we’ll talk about it.
- FINAL SESSION: At the third assessment session, there are two more questionnaires to complete. This will give us the final answers to confirm the diagnosis. This might be the shortest session, so there will be time for questions and discussion. At the end of this session, we will tell you whether or not you are autistic. Since we keep you in the loop all along the way, it should be no surprise.
- DIAGNOSTIC LETTER: Within 48 hours we will upload a brief Diagnostic Letter onto the Client Portal for you.
- DIAGNOSTIC REPORT: Several weeks after that, we will upload the full written report, detailing why and how we came to the determination and diagnosis.
- AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS: You will be enrolled in a free email course, Autism: After Diagnosis (AUT:AD) created for you by our CEO, Wendela Whitcomb Marsh. A couple of times a week you’ll get an email. These will take you through what the diagnosis means, and the characteristics or features of autism, along with strategies for navigating the neuro-majority world as a neuro-divergent person.
- STAY IN TOUCH: If you have any questions about your diagnosis, you are invited to email your assessor to get answers.
- OTHER SERVICES: If you need neurodiversity-affirming Counseling or Life Coaching, we can help. Contact [email protected].
Benefits of a Late Diagnosis of Autism
- Understand Your Social Self. Knowing that you’re autistic means knowing you’re not broken, and you’re not from another planet. You just have different social needs and comfort levels as compared to the neuro-majority. You can say “No” to the social events that would be too hard on you. When you do choose to attend social activities, be sure to plan for enough recovery afterward. You deserve it.
- Understand Your Sensory Needs. You’re not weaker than people who take sensory experiences in stride. It’s just that your nervous system receives sensory input differently, so you deserve the right to accommodate your sensory sensitivities.
- Understand Your Communication Style. It’s not that you’re a poor communicator, it’s just that your communication style is different from the neuro-majority. The burden should not be 100% on you if there is a social miscommunication, because every misunderstanding has two sides. Knowing you’re autistic can free you to advocate for understanding and acceptance of your unique communication style.
Get Tested for Autism Now
Wherever you live in The Green Mountain State, from Grand Isle to the Connecticut River, we have a professional on our team who is ready to work with you today. There’s no waiting list at Adult Autism Assessment & Services. When you’re ready to get tested for autism, we’re ready to help. Email [email protected]
