Thorough, Neurodivergent-affirming Assessment
Seeing the Full Picture
Autism isn't one thing. It shows up differently in every child — and many of those presentations are routinely missed by standard screening tools, especially in girls, in children who mask, and in kids who are intellectually bright.
Our autism evaluations are designed to catch what others miss. We use gold-standard diagnostic instruments, detailed developmental history, and direct clinical observation to understand how your child processes social information, sensory input, communication, and the world around them.
Whether your child's differences are immediately apparent or have been hiding behind anxiety, social effort, and academic achievement, a comprehensive evaluation can provide the clarity your family has been looking for.
Our Assessment Tools
ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) — the gold-standard direct assessment. We observe your child in real time through structured activities that reveal how they navigate social interaction, communication, play, and imagination. This isn't something that can be captured by a questionnaire.
ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) — a comprehensive parent interview that maps your child's developmental history, social behavior, communication, and patterns of interest across their lifetime. This gives us context that a single observation session can't provide.
Cognitive and academic assessment — understanding your child's intellectual profile alongside the autism evaluation, because cognitive strengths and challenges shape how autism presents and what support looks like.
Sensory and behavioral assessment — how your child processes sensory input, manages transitions, handles changes to routine, and regulates their responses across environments.
Social cognition assessment — not just whether your child can identify emotions on flashcards, but how they process social situations in real time.
The Female Autism Phenotype
We have specific expertise in identifying autism in girls and women — a population that is chronically underdiagnosed.
Girls on the spectrum are more likely to mask their differences, mimic social behavior, maintain a few close friendships (at great personal cost), and present with interests that look socially acceptable rather than stereotypically "autistic." They're also more likely to be diagnosed first with anxiety, depression, OCD, or an eating disorder before anyone considers autism.
Our evaluations account for gender-based differences in presentation. We look beyond the surface to understand the effort behind the performance — because a child who appears "fine" in public but is depleted, overwhelmed, or in distress at home may be masking a profile that deserves understanding and support.
→ Read our in-depth guide on the Female Autism Phenotype
Who Should Consider an Autism Evaluation?
An autism evaluation may be helpful if your child:
Struggles with social situations in ways that are hard to pin down
Has intense, focused interests that organize their world
Is sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, or other sensory input
Has difficulty with transitions, changes to routine, or unexpected events
Seems to "perform" socially rather than engage naturally
Holds it together at school but falls apart at home
Has been diagnosed with anxiety or ADHD but something still doesn't add up
Is bright and verbal but struggles with the unwritten rules of social interaction
What You'll Receive
A comprehensive report with clear diagnostic conclusions — autism spectrum diagnosis when criteria are met, alternative explanations when they aren't
A detailed profile of your child's social cognition, sensory processing, communication, and behavioral patterns
Strengths-based, neurodivergent-affirming language throughout — your child is not a list of deficits
Specific recommendations for school, therapy, home, and community
Guidance on regional center services, school accommodations, and therapeutic support
Follow-up support and collaboration with your child's providers
Schedule a Free Consultation
If your child's differences have been hard to name — or if they've been named incorrectly — an autism evaluation can provide the clarity that transforms.
Napa | Folsom Dr. Kirsten Kuzirian | Licensed Clinical Psychologist | PSY26368
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