Medical Professionals Who Diagnose Adults
Many people believe that getting an official autism diagnosis will mean they will receive help and services. For adults, there are generally fewer services available than for children. In addition, getting a diagnosis often costs a few thousand dollars out of pocket depending on your insurance. Also, a diagnosis does not mean you will get access to all the services out there. For instance, the Regional Center may still deny services despite having a diagnosis, if for instance, you did not receive any services or therapy as a child while in school.
Luckily, there are various support groups (often free or low cost) that do not require an official diagnosis to attend. You may find answers and reassurances to meet other people on the autism spectrum like yourself. Please check the section on support groups to learn more about these groups.
With that said, you may still want an official autism diagnosis. Most insurance providers will cover some services and therapies if you have an official autism diagnosis. Often a psychologist or primary care provider provides a referral to get an autism diagnosis. To learn more about getting diagnosed as an adult, read this helpful article and scroll below to the section on getting diagnosed as an adult: Getting an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis / The Diagnostic Process Another helpful article to read is AASPIRE Toolkit on Getting an Autism Evaluation. Listed below are professionals and organizations that offer diagnostic services.
Local Resources
AB Psych Consulting – Dr. Anthony Benigno Psychologist
10165 Foothill Blvd STE 3 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 244-9593
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation CDE-ages 2.5 to adults.
Wait time: few weeksAccepts: IEHP, BLUE SHIELD, AETNA, CASH PAY
Dr. Laurie Montes, Phd
290 Maple Court
Suite 112
Ventura, CA 93003-3517
(805) 746-7136
Experienced diagnostician that specializes in diagnosing adults regardless of age.
Autism Heroes
420 Brookside Ave, Redlands CA 92373
(909) 312-3070
www.myautismheroes.com
Psych Diagnostic evaluation. Offers a number of services including Diagnosis by a medical doctor for children, behavioral feeding therapy, and sexuality training. Cash pay
Casa Colina Children’s Services
255 East Bonita Ave, Pomona
(909) 596-7733 or 1 (866) 724-4127
www.casacolina.org
Medical Diagnostic evaluation. Dr. Margaret Bauman M.D. visits Casa Colina (home is Mass General Hospital) to provide neurologic assessments and services once every 3 months. Cash pay
Desert Care Network Neurology – Dr. Muhammad Salim
desertcaredocs.com
La Quinta
Yucca Valley
760-771-6166
Adults and Children Autism and Epilepsy
Accepts a variety of insurances.
Gunn Psychological
8300 Utica Ave Unit 245, Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730
(909) 989-4055
www.gunnpsych.com
Psych Diagnostic evaluation. Evaluations for children 12 months and up. Commercial insurance (each doctor is paneled with different insurance companies)
Dr. Tanya Mesirow- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
28991 Old Town Front STE 102 Temecula CA 92590
(951) 775-4057
https://drtanyamesirow.com
Specializes in psychological and neuropsychological assessment with children, adolescents and adults demonstrating a variety of neurological issues including head injuries, dementias, stroke, learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Mesirow also sees adults for individual psychotherapy treatment.
Pinnacle Counseling
Murrieta and San Diego
41197 Golden Gate Circle Suite 206 Murrieta, CA 92562
(951) 396-5701
www.pinnaclecounselingca.com
Offers a Psychological Diagnostic evaluation for ages 2.5 years through adults. Cash pay only.
Quality Life Group – Dr. Kotomori
6529 Riverside Ave Ste 133, Riverside
(951) 684 2627
www.qualitylifegroup.com
Board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry. An expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Psychiatric Disorders and experienced with cultural issues and how they may affect the presentation, course, and treatment of psychiatric conditions.
Riverside Psychiatric Med Grp, Dr Antonius “Tony” Brandon
5887 Brockton Ave Ste A Riverside, CA 92506
(951) 275-8500
www.rivpsych.com
Can perform a psychological diagnostic evaluation for ages 5 years through adults. Accepts many insurances and cash pay.
San Diego Brainworks
Temecula and San Diego
(858) 914-1347
www.sdbrainworks.com
Offers psychological diagnostic evaluations, specializing in Comprehensive Psychoeducational/IEE, Learning Disorder, ADHD & Autism Evaluations, Neuropsychological Assessments, EHRMS Assessments, Psychological Testing, & Therapy. Accepts many insurances and cash pay.
Dr. Ta Tanisha Jones, PsyD
Psychological And Substance Abuse Services, Inc
21250 Box Springs Rd, Suite 203
Moreno Valley, CA 92557
(951) 335-5858
Diagnosis and works on substance issues as well. Takes IEHP.
Dr. Terry Matteo
74-710 HWY 111 Ste 102 Palm Desert CA 92260
(480) 382-4142
http://www.terrymatteophd.com/
Psychological testing for ages 18 month to adults. Cash pay only.
Dr. Victor Cordova PsyD
9033 Baseline Rd Ste A Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 922-2442
Diagnosis only – Bilingual (Spanish). Accepts only IEHP.
Willowbrooks Behavioral Health
(818) 918-6429
https://willowbrooksbehavioralhealth.com
Locations in the Inland Empire: Apple Valley, Murrieta, Riverside, and Upland They only do a 1-hour psych screening for ASD in adults. If needed they will submit a CDE to IEHP/MOLINA. Also provides mental health 1-1 counseling /family therapy. All females Psych D (1 bilingual LMFT) ZOOM only. Currently booking 30-45 days for screening. Takes IEHP, commercial insurance & cash pay.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place. All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
