Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people of all ages It’s estimated to impact about 1 in 36 individuals in the U.S. (CDC, 2020). While no two people with autism are exactly alike, ASD is typically characterized by core symptoms, including:
Autism presents differently in every person. Some may have more pronounced challenges in one area and only mild symptoms in another.
It’s also common for people on the spectrum to experience additional mental health conditions or developmental differences, such as:
Because symptoms vary so widely and often overlap with other conditions, ASD can be difficult to identify. At Therapy Lab, our psychologists specialize in diagnosing and supporting people on the spectrum. A comprehensive evaluation is often the first step toward better understanding and symptom management.
Understanding ASD and how its symptoms uniquely affect you or your child can provide guidance for securing effective services that help you develop strengths and address challenges
A formal ADHD diagnosis can help you or your child qualify for accommodations—like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school or workplace support such as written instructions, quiet workspaces, headphones, or movement breaks.
Why do I/they do ____? Why is ____ so challenging for me/them when it seems so easy for everyone else? An autism diagnosis can help explain these differences and offer a clearer path forward.
When autism goes undiagnosed or untreated, it can increase the risk of developing anxiety, mood disorders, or difficulties in school, work, and relationships. Early identification can help prevent those downstream effects.
Understanding more about yourself or your child—and how your experiences may differ from the experiences of neurotypical peers—can lead to more self-acceptance and a stronger sense of identity.
A formal diagnosis of ASD can help you or your child qualify for accommodations—like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school or workplace support such as written instructions, quiet workspaces, headphones, or movement breaks.
We’ll recommend next steps tailored to your needs. These may include individual therapy, social skills groups, support for daily living skills, or, for children, early interventions like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
Your evaluation starts with a conversation. In this first appointment, you’ll meet with one of our licensed psychologists who specializes in neurodivergence
During this appointment, we’ll:
We offer remote assessments for clients in California and Washington, as well as in-person appointments at our Los Angeles office.
Once testing and information gathering are complete, we’ll schedule a follow-up to walk through the findings and any diagnoses.
This appointment includes:
We've designed this appointment with different learning styles in mind. We'll go through your testing results, any diagnoses, and next steps using visual aids.
Prefer a streamlined version? No problem. We’ll provide a condensed report that includes the most essential takeaways: summaries of completed testing, any diagnoses,* and our recommendations.
*We provide formal DSM-5/ICD-11 medical diagnoses that you can share with other health providers, insurance companies, schools, state programs, and any other support services, programs, organizations, or institutions that require documentation.
The cost of the assessment is determined by your specific needs. The average assessment costs $3,000.
For more information on pricing, contact us.
Most adults complete about 5 hours of testing over the course of 2 to 3 appointments.
For children and their families, the process typically takes about 6 hours of testing across 2 to 3 appointments.
If your assessment includes third-party questionnaires, please note that it can take up to six weeks to complete this part of the process.
Assessments are available for individuals in California (in person and via video) and Washington (video only).
