We offer testing for neurodivergence in adults and children. Our psychological testing can provide you with a wealth of information about your strengths and challenges regarding this or any related diagnosis and how to ensure you reach your full potential regardless of the challenges. This post goes over how to get tested for neurodivergence and what a neurodivergent test for adults or children will entail. We aim to help you become an educated consumer of psychological assessments for you or your child. In the meantime, please get in touch with us to discuss any of our services, including neurodivergence testing.
Testing for Neurodivergence Overview
Neurodivergence refers to differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. It includes conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Testing for neurodivergence often involves a combination of psychological assessments and evaluations.
Testing for Neurodivergence Methods
We start neurodivergence testing with specific empirically based questionnaires and checklists, such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Conners’ Rating Scales for ADHD. We also ask you for information about your history, school reports, and information from caregivers and friends. This information helps guide a thorough clinical interview covering your history regarding social skills, communication, and behavior.
Next, we build a comprehensive neurodivergent test for adults or children, usually starting with cognitive and neuropsychological assessments. Certain functions, including memory, attention, problem-solving, and language skills, can give clues to possible diagnoses.
How to Get Tested for Neurodivergence 
It is important to be educated on how to get tested for neurodivergence so you can prepare and know what the assessment will be like. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
- Identify Your Concerns: Consider why you believe you might be neurodivergent. Are there specific behaviors, challenges, or traits that concern you? You may want to learn about the different types of neurodivergence (e.g., autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia) to understand what might apply to you. Be ready to explain your concerns, but know that we will also provide education and support if you are unsure. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, developmental milestones, and any relevant family history.
- Be ready to complete questionnaires or checklists to screen for specific conditions and to have the clinical interview detailed above. We’ll be looking to gather information about your development, behavior, and daily functioning. We’ll also give you standardized tests, which we will explain before your appointment.
- If you are in school or have school records, we’ll also ask to see those records as part of neurodivergence testing.
- After testing for Neurodivergence, we’ll share your results and help you develop a plan that may include therapies (behavioral, occupational, speech), medications, and educational or work accommodations. We’ll also provide self-help ideas.
- We can redo parts of neurodivergence testing to help you monitor your progress and help you adjust accommodations and treatment plans as needed.
Tips for How to Get Tested for Neurodivergence
- Document Symptoms: Keep a journal of behaviors and symptoms that concern you.
- Advocate for Yourself: Be persistent in seeking the help you need, and don’t hesitate to ask for second opinions if necessary.
- Support Network: Engage family, friends, or support groups for additional perspectives and support as you research how to get tested for neurodivergence.
Following these tips can help you know how to get tested for neurodivergence comfortably.
Neurodivergent Test for Adults
A comprehensive neurodivergent test for adults involves a series of steps and evaluations that are slightly different from those for children, mainly due to the context and complexity of adult life. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get the most out of a neurodivergent test for adults:
Recognize Your Concerns
Before you come in, reflect on your behaviors, challenges, and strengths. Consider why you think you might be neurodivergent and what specific traits or difficulties you’re experiencing. Learn about different neurodivergent conditions in adults in particular, such as adult ADHD, mild autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and others. Knowing how to get tested for neurodivergence initially involves self-education.
Testing for Neurodivergence in Adults
We’ll start with standardized questionnaires or checklists designed to screen for specific neurodivergent conditions in adults. We’ll also conduct an in-depth interview to explore your developmental history, daily functioning, and specific challenges you face. We’ll ask you to do some self-observation, answering how you respond in different settings (e.g., home, work, social environments) to understand your behaviors and interactions.
The next step is choosing each neurodivergent test for adults we will choose, based on your assessment. We might decide to look at certain cognitive abilities, attention, memory skills, language skills, and executive functions.
Neurodivergent Test for Adults Review
We will review the results of each neurodivergent test for adults with you and provide a diagnosis if applicable. We will explain what the diagnosis means and how it affects you, and then you’ll receive a detailed report outlining the findings, diagnosis, and recommended interventions or accommodations. Depending on your diagnosis, you might benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), occupational therapy, speech therapy, or social skills training. At work or in other areas of life, accommodations (e.g., flexible scheduling and assistive technology) can help you manage your symptoms effectively. We might also be able to connect you with support groups for neurodivergent adults who can provide community and shared experiences.
Testing for Neurodivergence in Adults Example
Joane was self-referred because she feels like she has mild autism that has never been diagnosed. She also wonders about ADHD. She feels that symptoms of these two issues affect her social life and that a greater understanding might help her understand herself in ways that can help her overcome some of the challenges and help her friends and family better understand her needs and challenges. She also thinks she might qualify for some workplace accommodations related to working independently instead of in groups and getting extra time on some tasks.
ADHD Assessment
Joanne takes the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and scores high, indicating possible ADHD. We reviewed her history, noting that she struggled with attention and hyperactivity since childhood. We add the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS), confirming the presence of ADHD symptoms. As a result of this assessment and some specific cognitive tests it is clear that Joanne has strong verbal skills but struggles with executive function tasks.
We diagnose Joanne with ADHD and suggest a treatment plan that includes medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We also suggest workplace accommodations to help her focus and attend and give her extra time to complete some tasks that are affected by ADHD.
Autism Assessment
We start with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as an initial screening, and we see that Joanne scores in the range indicating possible autism. The next step is a detailed developmental history, noting early social and communication difficulties. We choose the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), both supporting autism diagnosis. Language testing reveals that John has pragmatic language difficulties but average cognitive abilities.
Joanne is diagnosed with autism, and we suggest therapy, social skills training, and an educational group. We also suggest workplace accommodations, including allowing her to avoid group activities where working individually is just as effective, some job coaching, and using EAP services to help her manage social demands. Knowing how to get tested for neurodivergence proved very helpful.
Neurodivergence Testing for Children
Neurodivergence testing for children and adolescents follows a relatively similar course as a comprehensive neurodivergent test for adults, with a few differences. For children, we collect educational assessments for school-aged children that can identify specific learning disabilities and help develop individualized education plans (IEPs). We also refer clients for Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluations, which assess fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living skills. Finally, we provide developmental assessments such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) if we suspect the child has autism.
Example
Jack’s parents have referred him for neurodivergence testing because they have noticed he has difficulty making eye contact, doesn’t engage in pretend play, and repeats certain behaviors. While he seems to enjoy being around other children his age, he does not play cooperatively with them. Jack is generally cheerful, and they do not think he has any cognitive issues. They want to ensure that Jack receives the support he needs to transition to kindergarten effectively in two years.
We start by having Jack’s parents complete the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), which suggests further evaluation for autism. This helps rule out other potential causes of his behavior. We also carefully reviewed Jack’s developmental history and collected observations from his current preschool using a normed questionnaire. Our next step is the actual evaluation, and Jack undergoes the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), both of which indicate autism. We refer the parents to a Speech and Language specialist and an Occupational Therapist. Jack has delays in communication skills but no problems with fine motor skills or other physical skills.
As a result of neurodivergence testing, Jack is diagnosed with autism and starts a treatment plan that includes a skills group, occupational therapy, and social skills training. This early identification and intervention helps the parents design an effective behavioral plan to use at home and also suggests certain activities they can do to augment the work that will be done at school. Neurodivergence testing will help him be more prepared.
Summary and Our Work
Knowing how to get tested for neurodivergence can ensure that you are an educated consumer and are prepared for the assessment. We can provide a comprehensive neurodivergent test for adults and children. While these neuropsychological evaluations assess for similar facets of a person’s social and cognitive style, they differ in how we evaluate due to developmental factors.
Neurodivergence Testing Process
Here is a fictional case example to illustrate how we might provide neurodivergence testing for a child. Of course, we can also provide a neurodivergence test for adults. This third example goes through the entire process to add even more detail about how to get tested for neurodivergence.
Background:
Alex’s teacher and parents have noticed he has difficulty focusing in class, struggles with social interactions, and often feels overwhelmed by noises or sudden changes in routine. He frequently appears anxious, avoids eye contact, and sometimes doesn’t respond when spoken to directly. Based on these observations, Alex’s parents seek an evaluation to explore possible neurodivergent traits.
Neurodivergence Testing Step 1: Initial Assessment
We begin this testing for neurodivergence by gathering a comprehensive background, including medical history, developmental milestones, family history of neurodivergence, and feedback from parents and teachers. We then use standardized screening questionnaires like the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to better understand Alex’s emotional and behavioral functioning.
Step 2: ADHD Screening
To assess for ADHD, we administer the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), which measures sustained attention and impulse control by having Alex respond to specific visual cues over time. We also use the ADHD Rating Scale, which asks parents and teachers to rate symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Step 3: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Evaluation
Next, we perform an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment with Alex. This structured, play-based assessment evaluates social interaction, communication skills, and play behavior. Alex is also given the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) for his parents to complete, which helps assess his social communication and repetitive behaviors.
Step 4: Sensory Processing Assessment
A sensory processing disorder evaluation is included since Alex’s parents reported sensitivity to sounds. The Sensory Profile Questionnaire is given to his parents to evaluate how Alex responds to sensory input across different settings. This assessment reveals that Alex is particularly sensitive to auditory stimuli and becomes overwhelmed by bright lights or crowded environments.
Step 5: Executive Function Testing
To understand Alex’s organizational and planning abilities, we administer the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), completed by both parents and teachers. This test highlights task initiation, emotional control, and working memory.
Step 6: Feedback and Recommendations
Testing for neurodivergence indicates that Alex meets the criteria for both ADHD (inattentive type) and ASD. We provide detailed feedback and recommend a tailored plan:
- Individual Therapy for emotional dysregulation and social skills training.
- Family Therapy so that his parents can provide the most effective support and interventions at home and help them ensure Alex finds islands of strength and potential.
- Sensory Integration Therapy to help Alex cope with sensory sensitivities.
- Educational Accommodations: Extra time for assignments, a quiet workspace, and preferential seating in class.
- Medication Consultation: Discuss potential medication options for ADHD.
This case example demonstrates the multi-step, comprehensive approach often involved in our testing for neurodivergence. We build a holistic understanding of an individual’s unique profile using diverse tools and assessments. The process for a neurodivergent test for adults is similar, though we rely more on your own self-report.
Testing for Neurodivergence Referrals
If you have questions about neurodivergence testing, more specific autism testing, or any of our services, or generally how to get tested for neurodivergence, please get in touch with us or schedule a consultation anytime.
