
Why get an assessment now?
- You’ve always felt a bit different and want a clearer understanding of yourself.
- A child or family member has been diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD, and you notice similar patterns in your own life.
- You identify as autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD and would like greater clarity or confirmation.
- You need documentation to access appropriate supports or accommodations at work or school.

Neurodiversity, Autism, and ADHD
Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity presentations are best understood as neurotypes, natural variations in how people think, process information, experience their senses, and engage with the world. From a neuroaffirming perspective, autism and ADHD are not conditions to be cured, but meaningful ways of being that shape a person’s strengths, relationships, and challenges across the lifespan.
In this practice, these neurotypes are approached with curiosity, respect, and compassion. Many challenges arise not from neurodivergence itself, but from environments that do not adequately support individual needs. A neuroaffirming approach focuses on understanding how a person’s brain works, identifying what supports regulation and well-being, and reducing the shame that can develop when differences are misunderstood or pathologized.
Adult Assessment Services
- Autism-Focused Assessment
- ADHD-Focused Assessment
- Comprehensive Autism & ADHD Assessment
I provide autism and/or ADHD assessments for adults, with a specialization in late diagnosis. My work is grounded in culturally humble, neurodiversity-affirming principles, with a particular commitment to supporting women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural communities. The assessment process is collaborative and strengths-based, with you viewed as the expert on your own lived experience.
Within this framework, I take a non-pathologizing approach to neurodivergence, understanding autism and ADHD as neurotypes rather than deficits. When appropriate, I use formal diagnoses of mental health conditions to inform treatment planning and support access to accommodations. While evaluations focus on autism and/or ADHD, commonly co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are also thoughtfully considered as part of a comprehensive differential diagnostic process.
The assessment is designed to support self-exploration, provide diagnostic clarity, and foster a deeper understanding of your experiences.
Lived Experience and Clinical Perspective
My work is informed by formal education and specialized clinical training, as well as lived experience. I am neurodivergent myself and have close family members who are neurodivergent, including autistic and AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) individuals. This perspective deepens my understanding of how neurodivergence can show up in everyday life, relationships, systems, and environments, not only in clinical settings.
While lived experience informs my clinical sensitivity and understanding, all assessments are conducted in accordance with established clinical standards, ethical guidelines, and evidence-based assessment practices. Diagnostic conclusions are based on a comprehensive integration of clinical interviews, standardized measures, developmental history, and professional clinical judgment.


At a Glance: The Assessment Process
1. Contact Dr. King
Complete the contact form to express interest in an adult autism and/or ADHD assessment.
2. Schedule the Intake Appointment & Register
I will contact you to schedule a one-hour intake appointment. You will also receive an invitation to register for the Therapy Appointment client portal, a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic medical record platform.
3. Complete Forms and Questionnaires
You will be asked to complete a battery of questionnaires prior to the intake appointment. These questionnaires help inform the assessment process and guide our discussion during the intake.
4. Attend the Intake Appointment
During the intake appointment, I will review consent forms with you. We will discuss your psychosocial, developmental, and medical history, as well as your current concerns. We will talk about your needs and goals for the assessment and collaborate on an appropriate assessment plan.
5. Assessment Sessions
Assessment sessions are scheduled as outlined in the assessment plan and typically include two to three additional sessions. These sessions may include a more in-depth clinical interview and the use of diagnostic measures to evaluate for co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, as part of the differential diagnostic process.
6. Feedback Session
The feedback session is an opportunity to discuss assessment findings, review the written report, and go over recommendations. This appointment focuses on helping you understand the results and how they may inform next steps, including treatment planning, supports, or accommodations, as appropriate.
Language and Identity
Many autistic individuals prefer identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”) because autism is understood as an integral part of how they experience and engage with the world, rather than something separate from who they are. Person-first language can unintentionally suggest that autism is external or undesirable, which does not reflect how many autistic adults understand their identity. Because language is central to neuroaffirming practice, identity-first language is often used as a starting point. At the same time, language is personal. Dr. King makes every effort to use the terms each client prefers and adapts her language as needed so that it feels respectful, affirming, and aligned with how the individual understands themselves.
General FAQs
How do I get started?
After you complete the contact form, Dr. King will reach out by email to schedule an intake appointment. You will then receive an invitation to register for Therapy Appointment, a HIPAA-compliant electronic medical record platform. During registration, you may provide health insurance information if you plan to use insurance, as well as a credit card, debit card, or HSA/FSA card to cover any financial responsibility.
Through the client portal, you will be assigned required documents, including an assessment consent form, consent for charges to the card on file, and an intake assessment questionnaire. This questionnaire typically takes 60–90 minutes to complete. You may not have access to all developmental, academic, or medical records, or you may not recall every detail. That is expected. Please complete the forms to the best of your ability.
You will also receive a separate email from Growth and Healing Psychological Services through NovoPsych (noreply@novopsych.com). This email provides access to a battery of standardized questionnaires designed to gather information about patterns of behavior, lived experiences, and possible co-occurring mental health conditions. These questionnaires typically take 60–90 minutes total and may be completed with breaks between measures.
All questionnaires must be completed at least seven days prior to your intake appointment so Dr. King has adequate time to review the information and prepare.
How is the assessment customized, and what happens next?
During the intake appointment, Dr. King will review consent forms, answer questions, and discuss your goals for the assessment. These may include self-exploration, diagnostic clarification, confirmation or reconsideration of a diagnosis, documentation for accommodations, or treatment recommendations. The intake also includes discussion of your developmental, psychosocial, and medical history, as well as your current concerns.
Based on the information you provide and the intake discussion, you and Dr. King will collaboratively determine an appropriate assessment plan. This includes clarifying the focus of the evaluation (autism, ADHD, or both), whether additional diagnostic measures are appropriate to provide an accurate and meaningful profile of your experiences, and how many additional assessment sessions are recommended. You will also discuss preferences for session length and receive an estimate of the cost. Subsequent appointments will then be scheduled.
Once assessment sessions are complete, a feedback appointment is scheduled, typically within four weeks. During the feedback session, you will receive and review a written report, discuss assessment findings, and go over recommendations and resources tailored to your goals and needs.
Is this assessment right for me?
Dr. King provides autism and ADHD assessments for adults seeking assessment, with a specialty in non-typical or under-recognized profiles, including women and adults from LGBTQIA+ communities and other historically underrepresented gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Many people seek assessment for greater self-understanding, diagnostic clarity, treatment planning, or documentation to support accommodations. This includes adults who already self-identify as autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD.
Assessments are available to adults 18 years and older who are located in Washington State or in a PSYPACT-participating state. The assessment process is designed for adults with verbal fluency who can participate in verbal clinical interviews and self-report measures. Dr. King focuses on diagnostic assessment for autism and ADHD and does not provide comprehensive neuropsychological testing, including evaluation for specific learning disorders or intellectual disability. These types of tests are not required for the diagnosis of autism or ADHD in adults.
What if I want clarity about autism but am concerned about receiving a formal diagnosis?
It is very common for adults seeking assessment to have mixed feelings, wanting greater self-understanding or validation, while also feeling cautious about the potential personal, professional, or systemic implications of a formal diagnosis. These concerns are understandable and are an important part of the discussion.
Pursuing an evaluation does not require you to use or disclose a diagnosis outside of the clinical setting. If insurance benefits are used, insurers typically require that a mental health or neurodevelopmental diagnosis be documented in accordance with clinical findings and applicable regulations. This requirement relates to billing and documentation and does not obligate you to share or act on a diagnosis beyond the clinical context.
You are not required to share assessment results or written reports with employers, educational institutions, or other third parties unless you choose to do so. The assessment process is intended to support informed understanding and thoughtful decision-making, with respect for your privacy and autonomy.
What if autism or ADHD is not the best explanation for my experiences?
It is completely understandable to feel uncertain about what the outcome of an assessment might be. Many adults seek evaluation not because they are sure of a diagnosis, but because they want clarity, understanding, or relief from feeling misunderstood.
If autism or ADHD does not fully explain your experiences, that does not mean your struggles, differences, or questions were misplaced. Your experiences are real and worthy of thoughtful attention. The purpose of the assessment is not to confirm or dismiss an identity, but to carefully explore patterns in a way that supports understanding rather than judgment.
Sometimes the evaluation supports a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or both. Other times, it may point toward different or additional factors, such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related patterns, or life circumstances that have shaped how you cope and function. Throughout the process, attention is given not only to challenges but also to strengths, adaptive strategies, and the ways you have navigated your life.
The process is meant to bring greater clarity and self-understanding, while recognizing both areas of support and areas of resilience, regardless of the specific diagnostic outcome.
Are assessments conducted in person or via telehealth?
All assessment appointments are conducted via secure telehealth. Most appointments take place through Doxy.me, a HIPAA-compliant video platform, and in some cases, the Q-global platform may be used for specific assessment measures administered during a session. You will receive a secure link by email prior to each appointment to access the appropriate platform, and no special software is required to log in.
Assessment measures are either completed during telehealth sessions or provided electronically for you to complete in advance at your own pace.
To participate, you will need a reliable internet connection and a private, quiet space where you can speak openly. A laptop or desktop computer with a camera and microphone is recommended, as screen size can be important for certain measures. A tablet may be appropriate in some cases, while a smartphone is generally not recommended.
Do you assess for conditions other than autism spectrum and ADHD?
Yes. While the primary focus of the evaluation is autism and/or ADHD, other conditions are also thoughtfully considered as part of a careful differential diagnostic process. This helps ensure that your experiences are understood in a comprehensive and accurate way.
Many adults, particularly those with later-identified or under-recognized profiles, have previously received diagnoses that did not fully capture their neurodivergent patterns. In some cases, traits that were once viewed primarily through the lens of anxiety, depression, personality, or behavioral concerns are more accurately understood within a neurodivergent framework. When appropriate, prior diagnoses may be clarified or reconsidered to ensure they reflect your lived experience as accurately as possible.
The goal is not to pathologize differences or add unnecessary labels, but to develop a formulation that honors both your strengths and your challenges. The assessment process is designed to support understanding, reduce self-doubt, and provide recommendations that feel aligned and meaningful.
Do you need to talk to my other medical/mental health providers or friends or family?
No. Because the assessment process is collaborative and grounded in your lived experience, it is not required for Dr. King to speak with other providers, friends, or family members. Your privacy and autonomy are respected throughout the evaluation.
In some cases, with your consent, you may feel it would be helpful for Dr. King to speak with another provider if they have relevant insights to share. You may also prefer to invite a trusted friend or family member to join part of the interview process to offer observations or perspective. This is entirely optional and based on your comfort and preference.
The assessment can be completed without collateral input, and any additional participation is discussed collaboratively and only with your consent.
Are assessment reports provided?
Yes. Clients receive a written report that outlines relevant developmental history, summarizes findings from the assessment, and includes diagnostic impressions when applicable. The report also provides personalized treatment recommendations.
The written report is reviewed during the feedback session to ensure you have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the findings and recommendations.
Can assessments be used for workplace or academic accommodations?
Yes. You may use the written report as you see fit, including for workplace or academic accommodation requests. If helpful, you may also request a focused letter summarizing relevant findings, with or without diagnostic information, and outlining recommended accommodations. Requirements for documentation vary by institution or employer, and this can be discussed during the feedback process.
Billing FAQs
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Dr. King is a preferred provider with several insurance plans, including Premera, Regence, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, First Choice Health, Aetna, Cigna, and Molina. Coverage and benefits vary depending on your specific plan.
When you register for the Therapy Appointment client portal, you will have the opportunity to enter your insurance information and upload a copy of your insurance card. Once submitted, your benefits will be verified and you will be informed of any anticipated out-of-pocket costs before moving forward.
What if I plan to self-pay?
Self-pay options are available. You may request an estimated fee range prior to the intake appointment. Because the scope of the assessment is clarified during the intake, fees can be more precisely outlined once an assessment plan has been developed. At that time, you will receive a Good Faith Estimate reflecting the anticipated cost of services.
When self-paying, diagnostic information and reports are not submitted to insurance or other third-party payers. This allows the assessment findings to remain between you and the practice, unless you choose to share them.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under federal law, clients who are self-paying are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate outlining the expected cost of services before proceeding. This estimate is based on the information available at the time and may be updated if the scope of the assessment changes after the intake appointment.
If the final billed charges are substantially higher than the estimate, clients have the right to initiate a dispute resolution process as outlined under the No Surprises Act.
The purpose of the Good Faith Estimate is to promote transparency and support informed financial decision-making.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is due at the time services are provided. Any remaining balance must be paid in full prior to or at the time of the feedback session.
For clients using insurance, copays or coinsurance are collected at the time of each appointment. The remaining balance typically reflects time spent outside of session for scoring measures, reviewing and interpreting data, consolidating information, and preparing the written report.
If you have questions about fees or anticipated costs, you are encouraged to ask Dr. King at any point in the process so expectations remain clear and transparent.
