Adult Autism Evaluation at Encore Psychology
Many people who come to us for an adult autism evaluation have spent a long time figuring out how to navigate a world that was not quite built for them.
They may have developed careful systems, strong routines, and a well-practiced way of managing social situations. And somewhere underneath all of that, they have wondered whether there is a name for the way they experience the world. A later-in-life autism evaluation at Encore is not about searching for what is wrong. It is about understanding what has always been true.
Why Adults Pursue Autism Testing
Adults seek an autism evaluation for many different reasons, and all of them are valid.
Some have a child or sibling who was recently diagnosed and recognized themselves in the description. Some have carried a sense of being fundamentally different for decades and want formal clarity. Some have spent years reading, researching, and connecting with communities of people who think and experience the world the way they do, and they want a professional assessment to confirm or explore that understanding.
An evaluation does not change who you are. It can change what you know about yourself, and what support becomes available as a result.
A Note on Later-in-Life Assessment
Adult autism evaluations require a different clinical approach than childhood assessments. Many adults who were not diagnosed in childhood, particularly women and people who masked their differences over time, may present in ways that differ from the historical clinical picture of autism.
Dr. Brooke Colman’s approach is strengths-based and attentive to this complexity. She uses autism-specific instruments validated for adults alongside a thorough clinical interview covering your full personal history, including childhood experiences even when no formal evaluation was conducted at the time. The goal is to understand your whole picture, not to match a predetermined profile.
What an Adult Autism Evaluation at Encore Involves
The evaluation is a multi-method process. It typically includes:
- A comprehensive clinical interview covering your history, sensory experience, social communication patterns, and daily functioning
- Standardized, autism-specific diagnostic instruments normed for adults
- A review of relevant personal and developmental history
- Where available and appropriate, a collateral interview with a family member or close contact who knew you in childhood
The process is collaborative. You are not a passive subject in your own evaluation.
Some clients ask for a 48-hour expedited turnaround; that’s a paid option, and we’ll discuss it during intake if you’d like.
What Testing Can Clarify
A formal adult autism evaluation can:
- Confirm or explore a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Explain longstanding patterns in social communication, sensory processing, executive functioning, and daily life
- Provide documentation for accommodations in educational or professional settings
- Inform therapy goals and identify the kinds of support most likely to be useful for you specifically
- Give you language and a framework for understanding yourself, and for supporting others in understanding you
What You Receive
Your evaluation results in a detailed, multi-page written report, delivered as a practical roadmap: diagnostic findings explained in plain language, individualized strategies, and recommendations for next steps. A feedback session is offered to walk through results together, so you leave with genuine understanding, not just a document.
In-Person and Telehealth Options
In person, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Adult autism evaluations are conducted in person at 33 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 225, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, Monday through Friday.
Telehealth, in 40 states
Telehealth evaluations are available through PSYPACT in 40 states. If you are outside of Michigan, we may be authorized to conduct your evaluation remotely. Contact us to confirm eligibility for your state.
See the full list of states →Whichever setting you choose, the evaluation is the same depth of work. The tools are validated for both in-person and remote administration.
Insurance, Fees, and Turnaround
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), and Priority Health. Private pay is available. We do not accept Medicaid.
Turnaround after testing is complete:
- Private pay: report within 5 to 10 business days
- Insurance: 6 to 8 weeks (or longer)
Dr. Brooke Colman, PsyD, LP, founded Encore Psychology in 2021 after a decade of work across hospitals, the VA, college campuses, and assessment-focused practices. She’s licensed in Michigan and PSYPACT-credentialed to see adults virtually in 40 states. Adult autism evaluation is the heart of her clinical work.
Questions adults ask before scheduling
Will I get a diagnosis?
An evaluation produces diagnostic clarity, sometimes that means an autism diagnosis, sometimes a different diagnosis, sometimes a clear "no" with a different explanation for what you've been experiencing. The point is to know.
Can I have an autism evaluation if I'm already in therapy?
Yes. Many of our clients come to us through their therapists, and we coordinate with treatment providers when it's helpful. The evaluation and therapy serve different functions; one doesn't replace the other.
Is the evaluation different for women / non-binary adults?
Adult autism presents differently across gender, and many adults, particularly women and gender-diverse adults, were missed in childhood because the diagnostic framework of their era was built around male presentations. We're attentive to this, and we use evaluation measures and clinical interviewing that account for it.
Can the report be used for graduate exam accommodations (LSAT, MCAT, GRE, bar)?
Yes, when an evaluation supports it, we write recommendations specifically formatted for the relevant exam board. We have a long-standing referral relationship with the University of Michigan Law School community for bar accommodations work, and the same approach applies to LSAT and MCAT.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can schedule directly with our team.
How long does the report take?
Standard turnaround is 5 to 10 business days after the final evaluation session for private pay, and 6 to 8 weeks for insurance. A 48-hour expedited private-pay option is available for fixed-date deadlines, for an additional fee.
Can my evaluation be virtual if I live outside Michigan?
Yes, if you live in one of the 40 states that participate in PSYPACT. We'll confirm eligibility before scheduling.
From the practice
Read: What an adult autism evaluation actually looks like →
Take the First Step
If you have been wondering whether an adult autism evaluation is right for you, we welcome the conversation. There are no obligations in reaching out. Our reception team will coordinate a time for you to connect with us. Encore Psychology is part of Michigan Healthcare Professionals (MHP), a physician group serving metro Detroit and surrounding communities.