Just Mind offers autism testing in Austin for kids, teens and adults. Our autism evaluations are part of our psychological assessment services, and they start from a neurodiversity-affirming view: autism is a difference to understand, not something to fix.
Parents usually reach out because a teacher has raised concerns, or because their child struggles to connect with friends or handle change. Adults usually come because they are questioning past experiences. For many, validation is the main reason. They want to know if what they have suspected for a long time is real.
Serving Austin Since 2007
A therapist-led, independently owned Austin practice. Our testing is directed by psychologists, and evaluations happen in person at our North Austin office with Scott Allen, PsyD, who has spent more than 20 years assessing autism in kids and adults.
- Psychologist-Directed
- Neurodiversity-Affirming
- In Person, North Austin
Who We See
Children ages 7 and up, teens and adults, including adults who were evaluated as kids and told they were not autistic.
Where we’re located:
In-person testing at our North Austin office (Spicewood Springs).
Availability:
Testing appointments are typically on Tuesdays, once a week.
Your psychologist:
Scott Allen, PsyD, our Director of Neurodiversity Services. Just Mind is rated 4.9/5 on Google.
What testing includes:
A clinical interview, the ADOS-2 or MIGDAS-2 depending on age, questionnaires from you and people who know you, cognitive testing, a written report and feedback.
Cost:
Evaluations start with a $200 consultation. Payment plans, sliding scale and CareCredit financing are available.
Autism Testing for Kids and Teens
For kids, the concerns often start at school or with friends. A teacher mentions that your child keeps to themselves at recess, has a hard time with changes in routine, or reacts strongly to noise, lights or textures. Maybe they get left out of birthday parties, or the meltdowns after school keep getting bigger.
For autism testing for kids in Austin, we gather information from you, from teachers and from others who know your child well. With younger kids, Scott often uses the ADOS-2, an observation-based measure, because they can’t always describe their day-to-day experience yet. Teens usually have a lot to say, so Scott leans on the MIGDAS-2, a conversation about sensory experiences, routines, friendships and communication.
The report is written so you can take it straight to your child’s school. Schools usually need formal documentation before they put accommodations in place.
Why So Many Adults Are Seeking Answers Now
When the DSM-5 changed the diagnostic criteria for autism, it changed who qualifies. Adults who would have been missed under the older criteria may meet the current ones.
Online content plays a part too. A lot of people see themselves in creators on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram and want to know for sure. That is part of why so many people are seeking autism testing in Austin later in life.
Signs It May Be Time for an Adult Autism Evaluation
Sensory and Social Differences
You notice differences in how you interact with others or respond to sound, light or textures. You may have a low social battery and feel drained after social activities, sometimes physically. A full workday, or finding and keeping a partner, can take more out of you than it seems to take out of other people.
Seeing Yourself in Someone Else
You took an online quiz or read an article and saw yourself in it. Or a family member was recently diagnosed, and their story sounds a lot like yours.
Masking That Is Wearing You Down
Masking has kept you going for years and it is getting harder. Hiding your traits takes a toll, and it often shows up as anxiety or depression. Maybe you were told as a kid that you would grow out of it.
Why Get Evaluated at Just Mind?
Neurodiversity-affirming from the start. Autism is a difference to understand, not something to fix. We look for your strengths and for the ways your traits work for you.
An experienced psychologist. Scott Allen, PsyD, our Director of Neurodiversity Services, has more than 20 years of experience assessing autism in kids and adults.
A conversation, not an observation. For teens and adults, Scott uses the MIGDAS-2, an interview-based measure. Adults have a lot to say about their own experience, and talking it through directly helps get underneath the mask.
More than one question answered. Our batteries can also look at ADHD and executive functioning, which often show up alongside autism.
Support after answers. Our autism counselors can help with what comes next, at your pace.
What an Autism Evaluation Includes
An autism assessment at Just Mind is built around your specific questions, and it follows the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychological Assessment and Evaluation.
Step 1
An initial consultation
We plan which measures make sense for you.
$200 to startStep 2
Interviews and questionnaires
With you or your child, plus people who know them well, like a parent, sibling or teacher. Their questionnaires help show where traits may be masked.
Step 3
Measures matched to age
The ADOS-2 for younger kids, or the MIGDAS-2 interview for teens and adults.
Step 4
A measure of cognitive functioning
So the full picture includes how you think and process information.
Step 5
A plain-language report
You read a draft before feedback, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Step 6
A feedback session
We go through the numbers, any diagnosis and recommendations for work, home and relationships.
Questions welcomeQuestions before you commit? Talk with our client care team →
What Testing Day Is Like
Surprises can be hard, so here is what to expect. Testing happens in person at our North Austin office on Spicewood Springs Road, usually on Tuesdays, and you work with Scott the whole way through.
Much of the time is conversation. Scott asks about sensory sensitivities and sensory interests, how you handle transitions and the unexpected, stimming, relationships and communication. There are no trick questions, and you can always ask what something is for.
If a break, softer lighting or headphones would help you or your child, tell our client care team when you schedule. We are glad to consider requests like that as long as they don’t interfere with testing.
Get Started With a $200 Consultation
The consultation is where we decide whether an evaluation makes sense for you and plan which measures to use.
Time, Purpose and What a Diagnosis Adds
How Long the Evaluation Takes
The assessment battery normally takes 15 to 20 hours, and the intake and feedback sessions run 60 to 90 minutes each on top of that.
Not all of those hours are spent with you in the room. A good share goes to scoring and writing your report. We can’t give exact hours until we know what questions need answering, and some people need more tests because there is more to sort out.
Self-Identification or Formal Diagnosis?
Dr. Scott Allen, our Director of Neurodiversity Services, puts it this way: if you have read about autism and see yourself in the descriptions, that identification alone can be valuable for your self-understanding.
A formal diagnosis adds something different. It gives you concrete data, and it is usually required for workplace or academic accommodations, support programs, vocational rehabilitation and some financial aid. Self-identification usually isn’t enough to get those.
It can also change how you see yourself. “When they get a diagnosis, I often see tears,” Scott says. “But the tears are not of sadness. It’s usually tears of joy, because they’re like, somebody finally understands me.” People drop labels like lazy or incapable and replace them with a clearer picture of how they work. For more on this decision, read Do You Need a Psychological Assessment for ADHD or Autism?
Wondering whether a formal diagnosis is worth it for you? A consultation can help you decide.
Cost and Financing
Your evaluation starts with a $200 consultation to decide whether testing is appropriate. After your intake, we give you the full cost, since it depends on your situation and the questions we are answering. Testing is prorated by assessment, and current pricing is on our rates page.
Payment plans, sliding scale and CareCredit financing are available. CareCredit offers 0% interest options for six or twelve months on assessments.
After Your Evaluation
Most of your feedback session is about recommendations, and they are specific to you. For work, that might mean a quieter space, different lighting, a schedule with fewer transitions, or more direct feedback from a supervisor. Socially, Scott often suggests community groups and interest-based activities, from improv to tabletop games like D&D.
Many adults also want support once they have answers. Our autism counseling helps with self-advocacy, relationships, sensory needs and handling social rejection, at whatever pace works for you.
Authenticity Over Masking
Our neurodiversity-affirming therapists focus on authenticity over masking. You will not be pushed to act more neurotypical. For background on autism from a public health view, see the CDC’s autism resources.
Whether you’re asking for your child or for yourself, these questions are worth answering.
Meet Your Psychologist
Scott Allen, PsyD, conducts our autism evaluations himself. Before Just Mind, he directed diagnostic services for a multi-state autism organization, where he trained psychologists on the ADOS-2 and on writing reports families could actually use.
Not sure if an evaluation is the right next step?
We can help!
Autism Testing FAQs
What ages do you test for autism?
We test children ages 7 and up, teens and adults. With younger kids, Scott often uses the ADOS-2. With teens and adults, he usually uses the MIGDAS-2 interview.
Can adults be diagnosed with autism?
Yes. Diagnostic criteria have changed over the years, and many adults now meet criteria that older guidelines would have missed. Masking often hid autistic traits from parents and teachers.
Do I need a formal diagnosis to start therapy?
No. Many clients come to us without a diagnosis. Our therapists focus on your experiences and on support that works for you, with or without a label.
I was evaluated as a child and told I wasn't autistic. Should I get tested again?
It may be worth it. Criteria have evolved, and many adults we see were told they would grow out of it or that their symptoms were not severe enough. A consultation can help you decide.
How long does an autism evaluation take?
Plan on more time than a typical appointment. Testing, scoring and report writing usually add up to 15 to 20 hours, with a 60 to 90 minute intake before and a feedback session of similar length after. Some people need more tests, depending on what questions need answering.
Where does autism testing happen?
All testing is done in person at our North Austin office on Spicewood Springs Road, typically on Tuesdays.
Should someone come with me?
It helps when someone who knew you growing up, like a parent or sibling, fills out questionnaires or joins part of an interview. That only happens with your permission, and you decide who.
Is Asperger's still a diagnosis?
No. Asperger’s Syndrome was removed from diagnostic terminology in 2013 and folded into autism spectrum disorder. Many people still use the term to describe themselves.
Where Autism Testing Happens
All testing is done in person at our North Austin office on Spicewood Springs Road. Testing appointments are typically on Tuesdays.
After your evaluation, autism counseling is available in person at either office or through online therapy.
Learn More About Autism
More from our therapists on autism and neurodiversity.
Looking for Autism Counseling Instead?
Autism counseling supports self-advocacy, relationships and sensory needs without pushing you to mask. For a broader approach, see neurodiversity-affirming therapy.
Wondering about ADHD too? Bring it up at your consultation, or read about ADHD testing.