What to Expect in Autism Testing

Do you wonder if you or a loved one might be autistic?

If so, getting tested can be helpful. The testing process is a little different for adults and children, and we’ll dive into the process here!

For children, your pediatrician may do developmental screenings during well‑child visits. These screenings help show if your child should get autism testing. Some children also have teachers or day care providers recommend testing.  For adults, you may have learned about autism through friends, social media, or online, and wonder if you could be autistic. However, at Mountain Vista Psychology, you can book an appointment directly without a referral.

Preparing for Testing

For children:

Parents can prepare by gathering important information before the appointment. Bring medical records, past evaluations, and notes about your child’s development—such as when they first talked or walked. Make notes about your child’s behaviors, strengths, challenges, and any questions you have. It can also help to prepare your child by simply explaining what will happen so they feel more comfortable. Bringing snacks or comfort items can also make the visit easier.

For adults:

Adults should gather medical records, past therapy or school reports, and job reviews if available. Ask close friends, family members, or partners for input about your current or childhood behaviors. Think honestly about your communication, sensory needs, repetitive behaviors, interests, and challenges—as well as your strengths. Bring written notes or recordings if communication is difficult for you.

Testing for Children

Autism testing for younger kids (age six and under) is a bit different than testing for older kids and adults. Appointments can last from one to four hours, depending on age.

The first meeting is typically done virtually with parents or guardians and often lasts between 1-2 hours.  During this time, we learn about your child’s background, including pregnancy, birth, developmental milestones, strengths, and struggles. We also look for other conditions like anxiety or ADHD. During this visit, we also do the ADI‑R parent interview.  This interview helps us understand your child’s early development and behaviors that may be consistent with autism.

At Mountain Vista Psychology, we do a comprehensive evaluation. This means we look at many parts of your child’s life to understand how they think and behave. One way we gather this information is through rating scales that parents, teachers, and (depending on age) the child/teen completes.  One tool we use is the BASC‑3, a rating scale that looks at emotional and social concerns. Children aged eight and up may fill out part of this with help. Parents and teachers also complete forms.

We also use the SRS‑2, a scale that looks for social behaviors linked to autism.

This can be filled out by parents or children, depending on age. Finally, we use the BRIEF, which looks at executive functions such as attention, impulsivity, and organization.

The second testing meeting lasts about 45 minutes to three hours. During this visit, we give the ADOS‑2, a hands‑on assessment. For young children, it is play‑based; for older kids, it includes activities and questions. Older kids also complete rating scales and an intellectual assessment during the in-person appointment.  We also do collateral interviews, where we talk with teachers, family members, or other adults who know your child well.

The third and final meeting lasts about an hour. During this visit, you receive the written evaluation, relevant diagnoses, and recommendations.

Testing for Adults

Adult autism testing usually takes longer than testing for children, often around four hours.

Just like with children, we do comprehensive evaluations for adults.  Our goal is for you to get the answers you are looking for so you can get the support you need.  In the first meeting, we complete a mental status exam, discuss your reason for testing, and give several assessments, including the ADOS‑2, WAIS‑5, IVA‑2, BRIEF‑2A, SRS‑2, and sometimes the PAI. These tests help us understand your thinking, memory, attention, social skills, and any other mental health concerns you may have. By gathering this information, we are able to understand if you are autistic and if you may also have other mental health diagnoses you need support with.

The second meeting lasts one to two hours and includes an in‑depth interview about your life.

We ask about your early development, medical history, school experiences, relationships, trauma, and your strengths and challenges. Some clinicians do this interview during the first visit; others schedule it later. In addition, sometimes a second interview is needed.

Collateral interviews are also important. We may complete the ADI‑R parent interview with your parents to learn about childhood behaviors. We may also speak with partners, friends, coworkers, or roommates to understand how you function day‑to‑day.

Finally, we schedule a feedback meeting, usually about an hour long. During this meeting, we review your results and recommendations. You will also receive a written report with your testing results, diagnosis, and next steps.

Next Steps for Kids, Teens, and Adults to Start Autism Testing in Greenwood Village, CO, Englewood, CO, and Littleton, CO

The goal of our team is always to provide you or your child with the most supportive care.  If you are interested in getting more information about testing, please call us at 720-583-9332 or email us at info@mountainvistapsychology.com.  We have providers in network with Medicaid, United, and Cigna, and can provide a superbill for those who are not in network! You can start your therapy journey with Mountain Vista Psychology by following these simple steps:

• Contact us today to schedule a consultation
• Meet with a caring therapist
• Start finding clarity and get the answers you deserve!

Other Services Offered by Mountain Vista Psychology

Autism testing isn’t the only service that our team offers from Littleton, Englewood, Hampden, and Greenwood Village, in addition to online counseling. We offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD therapy for children, teens, and adults. Other services offered via in-person and online counseling include child counseling, teen counseling, adult counseling, family therapy, grief counseling, and therapeutic yoga. Additionally, we also offer neurofeedback therapy, including targeted neurofeedback for ADHD, ADHD testing, anxiety, concussion/TBI recovery, and sports or performance enhancement. We also conduct evaluations for learning disabilities and Autism. Read through the Mountain Vista blog for helpful info!