3 Green Flags of Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism Evaluations |
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A neurodiversity-affirming assessment replaces the "doctor-knows-best" vibe with a collaborative partnership.
There are signs that your provider is neurodiversity-affirming — you just have to know what to look for.
Affirming providers know that language matters.
Are you considering autism testing but unsure how to choose the right assessment provider? We understand — there are countless options out there. In fact, when I recently Googled the phrase “autism assessment,” I found that it is searched over 6,600 times per month. A lot of folks are looking for answers, and many psychologists are saying, “I’m the person to turn to.”
I believe that how autism testing is conducted matters as much as the tools used. While clinicians need the clinical expertise required to diagnose autism accurately, it is equally important how those answers are found — and whether the process itself feels respectful, affirming, and human.
As neurodiversity-affirming clinicians, we know that the experience of autism is deeply personal. Autism shows up differently in every individual, and we are guided by a widely shared principle within autistic communities:
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
Affirming providers do not make diagnoses based on stereotypes or assumptions — we make them based on the unique individual we work with. Below are three green flags to look for when choosing an adult autism evaluation.
Green Flag #1: You Are Seen as the Expert on Your Own Experience
I will admit that over my decade as a clinician, I have found autism testing to be quite tricky. In general, the clinician’s perspective heavily influences how data is interpreted and what information gets prioritized to determine the diagnosis. The reality is that decision-making is never truly unbiased, even within a neurodiversity-affirming practice. It is impossible to eliminate our biases, which are tied to our previous experience and identities. In autism testing, you may have two different providers review the same case and reach different diagnoses.
Autism assessments lean heavily on the clinician’s observation and interpretation of the “data,” with the “expert” doing most of the talking (and deciding). You know the stereotype: the doctor in the fancy suit, staring down at his notebook, and saying “mmmhmm?” I am guessing this is not the vibe you want in your autism assessment. Instead, you deserve a psychologist who is actually looking at you—not just at the data—and consulting you to understand your experience better.
Green Flag #2: The Practice Is Explicitly Neurodiversity-Affirming
At the core of the neurodiversity movement is the understanding that human nervous systems vary widely — no two are alike. Because of these differences, individuals think, feel, perceive, and behave in unique ways. Notice the word differences. I intentionally chose this word because it helps shift the conversation toward a more affirming perspective. You want to work with a provider who challenges maladaptive frameworks like “normal and abnormal” and instead honors the full spectrum of human diversity.
The best way for providers to keep up with shifting preferences and perspectives is to stay connected to and curious about the experiences of the people who know best: autistic folks.
Green Flag #3: The Providers Recognize That Words Matter
As neurodiversity-affirming providers, we have strong feelings (and not the positive kind) about the “clinical” term autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a very technical medical term that focuses on distress, impairment, and dysfunction. Because of that framework, autism (and other mental health conditions) are labeled as “disorders.” When deficit-based language is paired with the long history of stigma surrounding autism, it can be deeply hurtful to many autistic people.
Find a therapist to help with autism
It is also important to acknowledge that many autistic adults come into assessment with a history of being misunderstood. Some autistic adults were not diagnosed as children, even though they were showing signs that their needs were not being met. Others were misdiagnosed or labeled as “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “just anxious.” So it makes sense that many individuals within the neurominority dislike the term autism spectrum disorder — the word disorder inherently pathologizes difference. Labels like ASD can be painful reminders of a history of chronic misattunement.
Most neurodiversity-affirming clinicians will be very mindful of the language they are using, prioritizing terms like autism, autistic, or autism spectrum challenge. Many autistic folks prefer the term “autistic person” (rather than “person with autism”) because identity-first language recognizes autism as a core part of the person. Additionally, terms such as “differently abled” can unintentionally minimize substantial barriers, and phrases like “on the spectrum” can come off as avoiding a “bad word” (rather than just naming autism as autism).
Another red flag related to language: seeing or hearing terms like “low-functioning” or “restricted interests.” Terms such as “low-functioning” make universal judgments about a person without recognizing that someone may have significant strengths in some areas while facing significant challenges in others. On the other hand, “high-functioning” often trivializes support needs, which can be quite invalidating. In neurodiversity-affirming care, you will see language such as “higher support needs” or “lower support needs.”
Similarly, the term “restricted interests” frames an autistic person’s passion as a limitation instead of a strength. You want to participate in testing with a psychologist who talks about passions, focused interests, or “spins” (short for special interests).
If a provider consistently uses deficit-based language (or terms that just do not feel right) on their website or during an initial consultation call, it may signal that the clinician is working from the medical model. If you notice this language, make sure you have a conversation with the provider about neurodiversity-affirming care before signing up for the assessment.
Choosing a provider is no easy task, especially because you will be investing time and money into the assessment process. My hope is that this blog gives you a feel for what to look for (and what to avoid).
To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer heresies: Notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities. Autonomous Press.