OPEN for 2024Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism and ADHD Evaluations for Adults
Space Between Counseling Services will continue offering neurodiverse-affirming evaluations for autism and ADHD in adults (ages 18+) in 2024, starting with ADHD assessments. Currently, our autism evaluations are on a waitlist for 2025.
SBCS will provide accessible, "non-pathologizing, and trauma-informed evaluations rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm. This means we believe neurotype difference is a natural and valuable part of our human foundation. Throughout our collaborative evaluation process, we encourage clients to share their experiences as we connect and learn more about them as individuals.
Some folks may come to us through self-diagnosis, looking to affirm what they already know about themselves, while others may be exploring neurodivergence for the first time. We are ready to meet you wherever you are in your self-discovery journey. Our process includes an in-depth clinical interview, administration of individualized assessment tools, and a written report review session.
At Space Between Counseling Services, we acknowledge the validity of self-diagnosis and believe people should be free to identify however they choose. We do not promote Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), social skills training, or the 'curing' of neurodivergent traits. Rather, we embrace neurodivergence and work with you to understand what that means in your past, present, and future context.
our evaluation Process
Our goal is to provide both accessible and thoughtful ways to serve and support our clients, for this reason, we offer a hybrid model for evaluation services. The online evaluation will take place through a secure HIPAA-compliant platform Simple Practice, which allows for face-to-face video sessions. If it is feasible for the client to come into the office, in-person meetings require proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 rapid test 24 hours prior to coming into the office. All SBCS clinicians are fully vaccinated and will also get rapid tested 24 hours prior to meeting in person with clients.
Our process is individualized based on the client's needs but a typical evaluation includes gathering of social and developmental history, completion of self-report questionnaires, and the use of several diagnostic tools.
Please note, that we do not provide neuropsychological evaluations as they include assessment tools outside of our scope of practice. If you are looking for comprehensive psychological testing SBCS may not be the right fit for you.
*If you require a full neuropsychological evaluation, we recommend seeking a consultation with Dr. Griffith
at NeuroBehavioral Associates
*** At times Neuropsychological Evaluations + Services can (and may) cost in the range of $3.5 K - 6 K and may not be covered by insurance.
Meet our Clinicians
Diana Harden, LCPC
Diana is an individual and couples therapist who offers therapy sessions for adults (18+) who live in Baltimore and the surrounding area struggling with and/or can relate to
ADULT ADHD + AUTISM EVALUATION SERVICES
NEURODIVERGENCE ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
ANXIETY/DEPRESSION
LGBTQIA+ POPULATIONS
DIVERSITY CONCERNS
SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
NEURODIVERSE COUPLES
A Few words from Diana
“As a high masking neurodivergent individual myself, I firsthand understand the struggles with living your life always trying to fit in and often feeling vastly different, broken, and/or weird. I’ll be the first to tell you that you are not broken and it's my aim to give you the language, tools and knowledge to be better understood by self and others.
My neuroaffirming assessment approach is aimed to give individuals the space to be themselves, take down all the masks, and bear any insecurities in the safest way possible. I give folks many formats and ways to deliver information including both verbal and written options. It is a true joy being a part of people’s neurodivergent discovery journey. I understand that this process can be difficult as well and my therapeutic background will help support you in the process.”
Abby Smith, LCPC
Abby is an individual and couple therapist who works primarily with adults {18+} who live in Baltimore and the surrounding area and are struggling with or can relate to:
ADULT ADHD EVALUATION SERVICES
NEURODIVERGENCE ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
DEPRESSION
ANXIETY
LIFE STRESSORS & TRANSITIONS
A few words from Abby:
“It can be daunting to make the decision to reach out and contact a therapist. Just by doing this, you are already taking the first step towards reaching your goals. I believe the counseling experience should be a place where individuals can feel safe in a nonjudgmental atmosphere. As a counselor, I feel my role is to assist and support my clients in their own growth and self-identity exploration. I am not here to judge, criticize, or fix you, but instead help you to better understand and hold compassion for yourself while we explore whatever is currently bringing you to therapy.”
DSM-5-TR Announcement
The American Psychiatric Association announced an updated version of the DSM-5 will be published in March 2022, called the DSM-5-TR. As the DSM diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder may change with this revision, we will make any necessary adjustments in our testing measures after the new release. We do not base our diagnosis solely on the DSM criteria. Instead, we take into account all aspects of our evaluation process before making a diagnosis.
Adult ADHD + Autism
Evaluation Fees AT SBCS
Please note that we do not take insurance but can provide you with a super-bill, which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. For more information on Out of Network (OON) benefits, please visit our Fees page.
Evaluating Autism (ADHD is also assessed when evaluating autism)
Evaluating Autism is $2500 spread over FOUR installments at $625.
Includes: Up to 6 hours of direct testing time and up to 4 hours for records review, interpretation, and report writing.
Evaluating ADHD
Evaluating ADHD is $1250 spread over THREE installments at $416.66.
Includes: Up to 4 hours of direct testing time and up to 3 hours for records review, interpretation, and report writing.
Interested in Evaluation Services?
If you are interested in our evaluating Autism or evaluating ADHD services, please fill out the form below: Frequently Asked Questions
Who are evaluation services at SBCS a good fit for?
Our evaluation services are a good fit for folks who:
Are seeking an intentional, strengths-based process provided by neurodiversity-affirming clinicians
Are seeking to better understand themselves and how they navigate the world
Have other family members diagnosed (self or professionally) as autistic or ADHD
and notice similarities in their lived experiences
Would like to explore and potentially receive school-based and/ or workplace
accommodations
May have taken self-assessments online and are curious about how to best support
their individual needs
Who can diagnose autism and ADHD?
Autism and ADHD can be diagnosed by psychologists, neurologists, nurse practitioners, therapists/counselors, and medical doctors, as long as it is within their scope of practice. In the state of Maryland, licensed counselors/ therapists are qualified to engage in assessment and provide a diagnosis. The evaluators at SBCS have undergone extensive training in autism and ADHD evaluation, specific advanced training in our testing measures, and deep involvement in the neurodivergent community.
What is the difference between a psychologist diagnosing autism and/or ADHD and a therapist? How do I choose which one to pursue?
Both psychologists and therapists who diagnose autism/ ADHD have training and experience in assessment and diagnostics. Psychologists have the ability to use standardized assessments and tests to reach a diagnostic conclusion and are a valuable resource for those looking for answers about themselves. Some of them also provide testing measures such as IQ testing.
For many neurodivergent folks, traditional testing tools are proven to be ineffective for high-masking individuals, female/ AFAB autistics, BIPOC neurodivergent individuals, or those whose autistic traits are not as readily apparent. For these individuals, an assessment with our therapists would be a great option.
We form a diagnostic conclusion by spending time with you and getting to know the unique ways neurodivergent traits present in your life. We collaborate with you and we use standardized assessments to confirm and inform the diagnostic conclusion.
If you are getting an evaluation for a specific purpose (i.e., workplace accommodation, school support, a referral from your doctor, etc.), check with them to see if they have specific requirements as to who they prefer to diagnose you. In some cases, a psychological assessment may be the preferred option. In your initial consultation, we will help you decide if an evaluation with our therapists would be the best fit for you.
Ongoing Therapy Services
If you are interested in working with a therapist after your evaluation, Space Between Counseling Services provides neurodiverse affirming individual therapy as well as neurodivergent/mixed-neurotype couples therapy. Our therapists have lived and professional experience with neurodivergence, and strive to create a supportive and strengths-based setting for all of our clients. Please be sure to check the top of our webpage to see who is currently accepting clients.
If you have consulted with a clinician and are scheduled for an Autism and/or ADHD assessment, your assessor will direct you to complete one of the following deposits:
Tell me about fees and insurance?
Evaluating Autism is $2500 spread over FOUR installments at $625. Evaluating ADHD is $1250 spread over THREE installments at $416.66. Space Between Counseling Services is not paneled with any insurance plans but can offer you what's called, "out-of-network" (OON) benefits. Not everyone has this as part of their benefits package so please call your healthcare plan and ask these questions:
Do I have out-of-network benefits?
What percentage of my therapist's fee does my plan pay for?
MOST OON Benefit PLANS PAY BETWEEN 50-90% OF MY FEE.
At times insurance plans request upfront billing codes I will be using. You can share this list of codes for their approval:
90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment (from 1-4 sessions depending on the problem)
90834 Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
90832 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
When using OON benefits, I will provide you with a document monthly called a "superbill" which is like an invoice but contains the service codes, dates of treatment, and monies paid during therapy. You would submit this to your plan directly and your plan would reimburse you directly as well.
You can get in-network therapy if this is out of your budget. Your plan can identify providers who are in-network should you need to use your benefits.
HOW ARE MY RECORDS STORED?
I utilize a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted, electronic medical record called SimplePractice that holds all of my client's mental health records safely in it. You will get a link to a client portal where you fill in demographic information and can access documents like invoices and superbills on your own.
SimplePractice has a credit card processing system named Stripe embedded in it. If choosing to work with me you would upload your credit card number and I would tap the card after each session or late cancellation for the fee. I only have access to the last 4 digits of your card and it is completely secured.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELlATION POLICY?
I have a 24 business hour cancellation policy. You will be responsible for a full session fee if the change is made in less than 24 business hours' notice. Exceptions may be made for emergencies such as sudden illness or accident, at my discretion. It should be noted that insurance does not reimburse for canceled sessions and HSA and FSA cards can't be used in these cases.