Diagnosis
for Adults

It’s not uncommon for someone to receive a diagnosis of Autism in adulthood.

Not as much was known about Autism over 30 years ago.  While diagnostic testing has improved for younger children, our medical community still struggles to identify adults with Autism.

Because Autism characteristics are becoming more known to the general population, more undiagnosed adults are recognizing that Autism may explain their significant life-long experiences and struggles.

The Autism Society Inland Empire has compiled this toolkit to answer some of the common questions we receive.  Click on the graphic for the pdf version, available free to download.  We also have a confidential support group for adults diagnosed later in life or seeking a diagnosis that usually meets once a month.  Check our calendar for the next meeting date.

Autistic adults may have differences in social, emotional, and communication skills that vary from the general population. Many people with Autism also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. Indications of Autism may begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life.

Common indications of Autism in adults may include:

  • becoming anxious about social situations
  • finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
  • seeming blunt, rude, or not interested in others
  • finding it hard to say how you feel
  • taking things very literally
  • having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes
  • not understanding social “rules.”
  • avoiding eye contact or using cognitive effort in meeting society’s expectation of eye contact
  • getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
  • noticing small details, patterns, smells, or sounds that others do not
  • displaying hyperfocus in certain subjects or activities

It is common for us to receive calls from adults who are just discovering they may have Autism. You can be diagnosed at any age.

Currently, there are no medical tests that can diagnose autism.

A neurologist or a psychologist can perform an Autism assessment diagnosis. Your insurance company can direct you if you have insurance.

Autism Society Inland Empire has a variety of events, workshops and a monthly support group just for adults who think they may be on the spectrum or diagnosed later in life. Visit the calendar for the dates.
ieautism.org/events/

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) provides support, community, and public policy advocacy by and for people on the autism spectrum.
autisticadvocacy.org

Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN) seeks to share information that works to build acceptance and understanding of disability while dispelling stereotypes and misinformation that perpetuate unnecessary fears surrounding an autism diagnosis.
awnnetwork.org

Project: Spectrum Connection is focused on creating community, social connections, and friendships, all the while having fun doing it. To see a calendar of events and to join our free weekly ZOOM groups, please visit our meetup page meetup.com/empoweringautism or https://projectspectrumconnection.com/

Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) works to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equals and are given the same decisions,
choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up to empower themselves as everyone else.
sabeusa.org

Diagnostic Services

Receiving a medical diagnosis is a personal decision and is based on different factors such as your financial resources and if you will be pursuing government services such as employment, social security, etc. 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.

Listed below are professionals and organizations that offer diagnostic services:

AB Psych Consulting – Dr. Anthony Benigno, Psychologist
https://abpsychconsulting.com/
16465 Sierra Lakes Pkwy, #140, Fontana, CA
(909) 244-9593
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE); ages 3 to adults. Accepts: IEHP, Blue Cross (PPO), Magellan, and Cash Pay.

Dr. Laurie Montes, PhD
Ventura, CA
(805) 746-7136
Experienced diagnostician that specializes in diagnosing adults regardless of age.

Dr. Tanya Mesirow- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
https://drtanyamesirow.com
28991 Old Town Front St., Ste. 102, Temecula, CA
(951) 775-4057
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.

Dr. Victor Cordova, Psy.D.
9033 Baseline Rd., Ste. J, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
drvictor@drvictorcordova.com
(909) 922-2442
Diagnosis only – Bilingual (Spanish). Accepts IEHP only.

Empire Psychological Services
www.empirecounseling.net
11175 Azusa Ct., #110, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(909) 475-3400; Option 1
Specializes in providing comprehensive autism, ADHD, and general mental health evaluations for adults. Our practice is dedicated to the unique needs of Black and African American communities. We offer culturally sensitive assessments and personalized care, available both in-office and virtually to accommodate your needs. We accept cash pay, and in network with IEHP and UnitedHealthCare/Optum; does not accept Medi-Cal.

Inland Empire Autism Assessment Clinic of Excellence
www.autismassessment4ie.org
1499 S Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA
19314 Jesse Lane, Suite 200,Riverside, CA
(909) 799-3777
Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence is an evaluation-only, non-profit organization that provides the gold standard of autism and neurodevelopmental evaluation. This is done through a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE) process, as recommended by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society. The CDE evaluation includes a team of experts in the fields of neurology, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology, all housed in one center. The outcome is definitive diagnoses, recommendations, and referrals. Locations in San Bernardino and Riverside County. Ages 1- 21 years old. Insurance Accepted: Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Loma Linda Risk Management, and private pay.

Neuron and Rose Psychological Services– Dr. Jessica Hogan, PsyD, LP
www.neuronandrosepsychology.com
1849 Sawtelle Blvd, #610, Los Angeles, CA
(805) 285-2307
Provides Evaluations/Assessment for Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, mood disorders, etc. Our team is passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming evaluations for teens and adults, which are conducted remotely via telehealth. We specialize in autism evaluations for women and high-masking individuals. We also love serving the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized populations. We are private pay and provide flexible payment plan options.

NeuroSpark Health
https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/
(201) 308-3710
NeuroSpark Health provides diagnostic evaluations/assessments for adult autism and ADHD. Our entire team is neurodivergent and passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming support. We specialize in diagnostic assessments for women, those who are high-masking, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized groups. Cash pay but can provide a superbill. We serve adults 18 and older. Our services are fully virtual and available across California (and 40+ other states).

Pinnacle Counseling
www.pinnaclecounselingca.com
41197 Golden Gate Circle, Suite 206, Murrieta, CA
2727 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 340, San Diego, CA 
(951) 396-5701
Offers a psychological diagnostic evaluation for ages 3 years to adults. Accepts the following insurance: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, BlueShield, Cigna, Magellan and Tricare. Cash pay accepted as well.

Riverside Psychiatric Med Group, Dr. Antonius “Tony” Brandon
https://www.riversidepsychiatricmedicalgroup.org/
5887 Brockton Ave., Ste A, Riverside, CA
(951) 275-8500
Conducts psychological diagnostic evaluations for ages 5 years to adults. Accepts many insurances and cash pay.

Tip of the Spear Psychotherapy Group, APC.
https://www.tospsychotherapy.com/services
25109 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 200, Murrieta, CA
(951) 297-7773
admin@tospsychotherapy.com
Autism and ADHD Testing. Utilized comprehensive and up to date testing methods; will provide full report with recommendations for treatment and applicable resources. Ages: 3 to adults. Insurance: IEHP, Molina and most major insurances. Bilingual Staff.

Willowbrooks Behavioral Health
https://www.willowbrooksbh.com/
(818) 918-6429
Provides developmental testing for Autism, ADHD, and developmental/cognitive delays. Also provides mental health 1-1 counseling /family therapy. Accepts Molina, IEHP, and Anthem Blue Cross.

On-Line Autism Tests

There are also several free online tests you can take that may indicate whether you are on the Autism spectrum or not. Please note that these online tests do not take the place of a professional diagnosis and only indicate that you may be on the Autism spectrum.

RDOS—Aspie-Quiz:
https://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php
According to the websitehttps://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php, this test aims to check for broader Autism cluster
(Aspie) and neurotypical traits in adults. Broader Autism clusters traits can
give a reliable indication of Autism spectrum traits before an eventual
diagnosis.

The Ultimate Autism Resource:
https://embrace-autism.com/
Provides additional Autism tests and assessments worth taking a look at.

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R):
https://www.aspietests.org/raads/
According to the website, The RAADS-R is a modified version of the Ritvo
Autism Asperger’s Diagnostic Scale (Ritvo et al. 2008). The rationale for its
development was the need for a clinical adjunct diagnostic tool. While
several diagnostic scales for children and adolescents with ASD are
available, only one peer-reviewed scale, The Autism-Spectrum Quotient
(AQ) was designed specifically for adults. Its authors emphasize that it is
useful in identifying Autistic traits and as a screening instrument but not
as a diagnostic tool.