When thinking about an autism test for yourself and/or a loved one, it can be beneficial to understand how and why testing might look different for each client. From a psychologist’s point of view, the testing experience for children versus adults varies by environment and approach.
For children, psychologists set up a fun, relaxed, and playful atmosphere, simulating the experience more like a playdate than a visit to the doctor. Your child could be asked to play with toys, games, or draw while the psychologist watches how they naturally behave. This approach helps reduce anxiety and allows for more accurate observations of how your child authentically interacts with others and their environment.
Adult testing occurs in a more classical environment, which is typically an extensive conversation and structured interview. Your psychologist will ask you about your life experiences, the difficulties you have faced, and the autism-related symptoms you’ve observed over a long period of time. Because you have lived a longer life than a child, this process may seem more extensive than testing with a child, but it is all done with the assurance that you will receive the most accurate diagnosis possible. Your psychologist will likely create an environment that is formal yet supportive where your experiences are taken seriously and explored.
What Gets Observed
Most psychologists keep a thorough document of observations during the assessment including how your child plays with toys, how they react to being called by name, how they process and share excitement with other people, and how they react to changes in the environment or sequence of events. Your clinician will record modes of communication in the child (including verbal and non-verbal signs) as well as the interaction with parents and the examiner(s).
For adults, your psychologist might want to dig a little deeper into how you think autism symptoms have played a role in your life experiences thus far. The clinician will discuss your social groups and relationships, routine living abilities, and potential difficulties you may run into often. They will likely be interested in the patterns you’ve noticed throughout your life and coping strategies you’ve developed.
Family and History
Parents are irreplaceable during child/adolescent testing. In some cases of early assessments, parents are the primary advocates for their child’s well-being. The role they play in testing is crucial to helping your psychologist administer an accurate diagnosis. Having an open conversation throughout the evaluation can help create a richer description of a child’s development, behaviors within the family home, and any changes that they have reported. Observations of your child’s milestones, social behaviors, and daily life are key parts of the puzzle in assessment.
In adult testing, family input may be useful but should be taken secondary to self-experience and self-report. At the end of the day, your clinician wants to make sure that you leave your assessment feeling confident that you received the answers you need to take the best next step forward. Nevertheless, if you have information from your childhood development – either from parents, school records, or general observations – you might be able to give your psychologist a deeper understanding of how autism may have affected your life.
What Happens After Testing
For pediatric patients, post-diagnosis support is typically based on early intervention, school accommodations, and parent education to help care for and develop your child. Your psychologist may provide some specific recommendations, such as specialized therapies and educational resources to help you navigate these new changes.
For adults, a clinician will point you toward information regarding workplace accommodations, neurodivergent-friendly counseling to better understand your diagnosis, and referrals to adult autism communities to help you understand how to live a more authentic life with your diagnosis.
Remember, no matter the age being tested, the aim is to know how autism manifests itself in that person and what measures can be enacted to best give support. There is no “cut-off” age for diagnosis–whether you are an adult seeking an opportunity to know yourself better or a parent looking to better support their child, the knowledge and discovery that comes with a formal diagnosis can be life-changing for everyone involved.
Testing can be overwhelming, but knowing what to expect helps make the process more manageable. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the testing process and express any concerns to the testing psychologist as they’re there to help make the experience as comfortable as possible.
If you’re curious about assessments and want to learn more about Dr. Arduengo and her process of autism testing, reach out today!
