Assessments That Bring Clarity, Not Just a Label
Your experience matters more than checkboxes.
ADHD, Autism, and OCD Assessments
Understanding Your Mind, Your Patterns, and Your Experience
You may be wondering:
Is this ADHD? Autism? Anxiety? OCD? Trauma?
Why does everything feel harder for me than it seems to for others?
What’s been missed in my story?
Many people reach this point after years of trying to figure it out on their own. I bring both clinical training and lived experience to this work, including my own ADHD and late autism diagnosis, shaped by years of high masking and not being fully recognized, something many people I work with relate to.
These evaluations are designed to help you make sense of your experience in a clear, grounded, and meaningful way.
A Different Kind of Assessment
Many assessments feel cold, clinical, or overly focused on diagnosis.
This process is different.
It’s collaborative, thorough, and rooted in understanding you as a whole person, your history, your patterns, your strengths, and the ways your mind works.
The goal is to help you understand yourself more clearly and move forward with direction.
Who This Is For
Adults seeking answers later in life
People whose experiences haven’t been fully recognized, including those who have learned to mask or compensate over time
Those with overlapping trauma, anxiety, or burnout
Individuals exploring identity, neurodivergence, or long-standing patterns
Anyone who wants a clearer understanding of themselves
People who find themselves questioning and second-guessing, unsure if they’re “overthinking it,” or wondering if they even have a reason to pursue an assessment
It’s okay to be unsure. This process is about understanding, not proving anything, and we’ll sort it out together.
Start With a Conversation
All new clients begin with a free 20-minute consultation.
This gives us a chance to briefly connect, understand what you’re looking for, and determine whether this feels like a good fit before moving forward.
Types of Evaluations
-
For adults or adolescents who are struggling with:
Focus, attention, or follow-through
Mental overload or difficulty organizing thoughts
Starting tasks but not finishing them
Feeling like things take more effort than they “should”
This evaluation includes:
A 90-minute clinical interview
A full review of symptoms across your lifespan
Careful rule-outs (anxiety, trauma, medical factors, etc.)
Additional input (such as caregiver/teacher forms) when appropriate
Most clients leave the session with clear answers and direction, along with a written summary that includes diagnostic impressions, an explanation of how those conclusions were reached based on your experiences and DSM-5 criteria, and individualized recommendations for next steps. These recommendations may include therapy, lifestyle supports, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, or exploring additional options such as medication.
-
You might be considering an autism evaluation if you:
Have always felt different but couldn’t explain why
Mask or adapt in social situations
Experience sensory sensitivity or overwhelm
Struggle with identity, connection, or burnout
Have questioned autism before, but dismissed it because it didn’t seem to “fit” you
This is a comprehensive, multi-step evaluation that may include:
A detailed clinical interview
Exploration of developmental and early life patterns
Structured developmental information gathered through interview and/or caregiver input when available, which may include the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised
A sensory profile using the Sensory Profile 2 to better understand sensory patterns
An observational component using the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism in combination with ADOS-2 informed assessment to support a comprehensive evaluation in a telehealth setting
If developmental history is limited, we work collaboratively to determine what conclusions can be responsibly made and what additional information may be needed.
All autism evaluations also include screening for ADHD and OCD, given the high level of overlap.
-
For individuals experiencing:
Intrusive or unwanted thoughts
Mental loops or repetitive thinking
Compulsions (visible or internal)
A sense of needing to “neutralize” thoughts or feelings
This evaluation includes:
A comprehensive clinical interview
The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (clinician-administered)
The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (self-report screener)
Because OCD can overlap with anxiety, trauma, and autism, this process also includes careful differential diagnosis.
If additional clarity is needed (for example, to fully rule out autism), you may be recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation. Any prior assessment fees can be applied toward that process.
How These Experiences Show Up
ADHD, autism, and OCD are often misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes. In reality, they show up in many different ways and often overlap.
Below are some of the patterns we explore together during the assessment process.
ADHD
Difficulty starting or finishing tasks
Feeling mentally overwhelmed or scattered
Trouble organizing thoughts, time, or priorities
Hyperfocus on certain interests while struggling with others
Emotional intensity or quick shifts in mood
A sense that things take more effort than they “should.”
Autism
Feeling different or out of sync socially
Masking or adapting to fit in
Sensory sensitivity (sound, light, texture, etc.)
Preference for predictability, routine, or structure
Deep focus on specific interests
Difficulty identifying or expressing internal experiences
Burnout from navigating environments that don’t match how you function
OCD
Intrusive or unwanted thoughts that are difficult to dismiss
Mental loops or repetitive thinking
Feeling compelled to do something to reduce discomfort or uncertainty
Internal rituals (not always visible to others)
A strong need for certainty, control, or things to feel “just right.”
Overlap & Misunderstanding
Many of these experiences overlap with anxiety, trauma, or burnout. It’s also common for people to identify with more than one of these patterns.
This is why the goal of the assessment is not just to assign a label, but to understand what is actually driving your experience.
The Evaluation Process
-
A deep exploration of your history, current concerns, and patterns
90-min clinical interview
History, patterns, symptoms
Ruling out other possibilities
-
Additional tools and interviews are selected based on what emerges during the initial meeting.
Individualized assessment battery
May include ADHD, autism, OCD measures
Developmental + sensory exploration
-
A collaborative conversation reviewing findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and next steps
Collaborative interpretation
Clarity around diagnosis (or not)
A clear explanation of what was considered and how conclusions were reached
-
We focus on how to translate this understanding into meaningful changes in your daily life.
Adjustments to how you approach work, relationships, and stress
Practical strategies tailored to how your mind works
Specific clinical interventions or supports that can help you move forward
Fees
Assessment services are offered as flat-fee evaluations based on the level of depth and information needed.
You can find more details about pricing and what’s included here.
Experience and Education
Michael’s approach is grounded in advanced training and experience in trauma-informed and neurodivergence-affirming care.
You can learn more about his background, education, and training on the About page.
Next Step
You don’t have to be certain to begin. If you’re wondering whether an assessment might be helpful, you’re welcome to reach out.