Supportive, Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism Assessments
with Julie Bjelland, LMFT
My assessment process is designed for adults, especially women and gender-diverse people, who have spent a lifetime masking, over-functioning, and being misunderstood. This is a deep, affirming process that centers your lived experience, nervous system, and developmental history, an approach designed to help you be accurately seen and understood.
Why an Autism Assessment Can Be Meaningful
For many adults, especially women and high-masking individuals, seeking an autism assessment is about understanding yourself and your needs more fully, which often leads to greater self-compassion.
A thoughtful, neurodiversity-affirming autism assessment can help explain lifelong patterns that may have felt confusing, overwhelming, or painful. Many people seek assessment after years of feeling misunderstood, burnt out, or like they have been working too hard to fit into a world that never quite fit them.
Learning that you are autistic often brings a deep sense of relief and validation. Many people describe these as the most consistent emotional responses after diagnosis, not because life suddenly becomes easy, but because their lived experience is finally seen and named. Years of self-doubt, confusion, and self-blame often soften when there is a clear understanding of how their nervous system works. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?” many people begin asking “What do I need?”
An assessment can also help guide more appropriate and supportive care. Traditional therapy approaches do not always align with autistic ways of processing, sensing, and relating. Understanding your neurotype allows therapy, self-care, work accommodations, and life choices to be shaped in ways that truly support your well-being rather than working against it.
For many people, assessment also supports identity and belonging. While self-identification is valid and respected within the autistic community, some individuals want a deeper sense of certainty before fully embracing that identity or entering autistic spaces. A formal assessment can provide that grounding. It can help you feel secure in knowing that you belong, that your experiences are real and valid, and that your way of being is shared by others.
Ultimately, an autism assessment is not about proving anything. It is about self-understanding, self-permission, and moving through the world with greater ease, clarity, and kindness toward yourself. ❤️
You deserve understanding that feels affirming, respectful, and deeply attuned to who you are.
Adult Autism Assessment Details
This assessment includes three parts, designed to support thoughtful reflection and a meaningful, collaborative conversation.
Part 1: Client Information Form (completed at scheduling)
At the time you schedule your session, you will complete a Client Information Form with essential background information and acknowledgment of assessment expectations and policies.
Part 2: Written Assessment Questionnaire (completed after scheduling)
After scheduling, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the written assessment questionnaire. This in-depth questionnaire must be completed at least 48 hours before your scheduled video session to allow adequate time for review.
This written portion gives you space to share your lived experience, history, patterns, strengths, and challenges in your own words and at your own pace. Please take your time and respond as thoroughly as you can. The details you share help me prepare thoughtfully for our time together. I review this carefully in advance so our time together can be used as effectively and thoughtfully as possible.
Part 3: Live Video Assessment and Results Session
The final part is a 90-minute live clinical interview conducted via video. It includes a guided, collaborative conversation, a 15-minute break, and a discussion of my impressions with time for initial questions. We expand on what you shared in writing and explore anything that feels complex, unclear, or nuanced.
📍 California Address Required
A California address is required on the Client Information Form due to licensing. You do not need to live in California. A temporary address, such as a hotel, is acceptable.
This is a compassionate, interview-based assessment designed especially for sensitive, internal processors and high-masking adults, particularly women.
👉 Includes advance review of written materials, an in-depth discussion of your lived experience, and, when appropriate, a one-page diagnostic letter.
🔽 What to Expect
Many people feel more at ease when they know what to expect ahead of time.
🔽 Why My Approach Is Different
Traditional autism assessment tools such as ADOS-2, ADI-R, AQ, RAADS-R, and SRS-2 were not designed to capture internal experiences or high levels of masking, and often under-identify autism in high-masking adults, particularly women. My approach focuses on your inner world, not just observable behavior. If you’d like to learn more about why I don’t use these assessment tools, click here.
🔽 Privacy & Confidentiality
All autism assessments are private and confidential. No information is shared with insurance or agencies.
🔽 Assessment Cost
This assessment is designed to identify autism in high-masking adults, particularly women who are often missed by traditional standardized testing models. It uses a collaborative, conversational approach that centers lived experience and allows space for reflection to identify nuance during the process.
What’s included:
• Comprehensive written intake and autism questionnaire (completed at your own pace)
• A thorough review of all written materials prior to the session
• One 90-minute live video assessment
• One-page diagnostic letter, if a formal diagnosis is identified and requested
This approach is grounded in extensive clinical experience recognizing autism in sensitive, high-masking adults and often captures nuance that standardized testing can miss.
Assessment cost: $1,200
Most private adult autism assessments in California range from $5,000–$10,000. This assessment is offered at a lower cost by focusing on in-depth clinical dialogue and written reflection rather than time-intensive standardized testing and lengthy reports.
💛A Supportive, Guided Process
My goal is to help you feel seen, validated, and supported as you come to understand your true neurotype.
🔽 Optional: Adult Autism Consultation
Not ready for a formal assessment? Consultations (50 or 75 minutes) offer a gentle way to explore your traits and self-understanding before deciding on a diagnosis.
🌍 Consultations are available worldwide: Schedule Here
Meet Your Assessor
Julie Bjelland, LMFT
I am a licensed psychotherapist and a leading specialist in adult-diagnosed autistic women and the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype. I offer neurodiversity-affirming, culturally-affirming, consultations and formal autism assessments for high-masking, late-identified autistic adults, especially autistic women and those assigned female at birth who are often missed by traditional diagnostic models. I am known for a compassionate, warm approach that centers your internal sensory, emotional, and relational world. I am adult-diagnosed autistic and queer, and I am committed to providing an affirming, inclusive, and safe space for LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse clients. My work is also culturally affirming and responsive, with care for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color within sensitive and neurodivergent communities.
Why Many Adults Choose Assessment
For many people, an autism diagnosis offers:
• Relief and validation
• Deeper self-understanding
• Permission to unmask
• Clearer insight into needs and strengths
“I finally feel kind toward myself.”
“It explained everything and gave me hope again.”
Many people describe feeling validated and relieved when their experiences finally have language.
This Is More Than a Diagnosis
For many adults, assessment becomes a turning point. Having language for lifelong experiences can soften self-judgment and support greater self-compassion. You are not alone in this process, and you deserve understanding that honors your lived experience.
Ready to Begin?
Have Questions?
Read my Frequently Asked Questions below 👇
Frequently Asked Questions
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Autism Assessments for Adults
My assessment process is designed to be validating, supportive, and deeply personalized. Rather than relying on outdated checklists or narrow criteria, I take time to understand your internal world—your lived experiences, how you process life, and what makes you uniquely you.
The assessment is conducted in one comprehensive video session (90 minutes total) with a built-in break for rest and regulation. This extended, grounded format gives us the space to explore gently and thoroughly—something especially important for adults, and particularly women, whose traits have often been misunderstood or overlooked.
As a late-identified autistic woman myself, I know how powerful and emotional this discovery can be. My approach centers both clinical expertise and lived experience, offering education, emotional support, and space to process what arises.
What We’ll Explore Together:
Sensory experiences – sensitivities, preferences, and regulation strategies
Cognitive style – passions, routines, structure, and how your mind processes the world
Social experiences – from childhood to adulthood, including relationships and communication
Your questions and reflections – space for your voice and your process throughout
Working with someone who understands the nuances of autism in adults is key to an accurate and meaningful assessment. My goal is to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered as you move forward with greater clarity and self-understanding.
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Traveling to California for Your Assessment?
Your autism assessment is offered in one comprehensive session (90 minutes total) with a built-in break, allowing you to complete the entire process in a single day. This format is ideal for those traveling from out of town and provides time to reflect, rest, and ask questions throughout.
Scheduling Options
Option 1: Flexible Travel
• Schedule your session on a day when you can rest before and after, especially if you’re traveling a long distance.
• If you're staying multiple days, you can choose a day that works best for your energy and needs.
Scheduling & Availability
• If you need a specific date or time due to travel constraints, feel free to contact me in advance to confirm availability.
• If no ideal time appears in the scheduler, please reach out—I may be able to adjust my schedule.
Note: 📍 Because my license is in California, I need a California address when you fill out your intake form so I can provide a diagnosis. You don’t have to live in California — even a temporary address, or a hotel works. This is for paperwork documentation only, and no further proof is needed.
Feel free to reach out with any questions—I’m here to help make this process as smooth and supportive as possible.
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Why This Assessment Is More Accessible—and Still Thorough
Most private adult autism assessments in California range from $5,000 to $10,000, largely due to extensive work done outside of sessions, including scoring standardized measures and writing detailed reports. These assessments often follow a clinical model that may not fully capture the nuanced experiences of sensitive or late-identified autistic adults.
In contrast, my assessment process is streamlined because of my experience level into one comprehensive session (90 minutes total). This includes exploration, integration, and reflection—with built-in breaks and space for emotional processing. The cost remains accessible by streamlining the process and focusing on collaborative, conversational assessment rather than lengthy written reports.
Instead of standardized testing, I rely on in-depth, guided dialogue tailored to your lived experience. While no formal written report is provided, you may request a simple letter stating the outcome of the assessment if needed.
This approach not only saves you thousands of dollars—it also fosters a more human, validating, and accurate process. By creating a space where you feel emotionally safe, seen, and respected, we’re able to gather richer insights. This model is especially supportive for those with sensitive nervous systems or a history of masking, and it often results in a more accurate identification of autism in adults.
Making this kind of assessment more affordable, affirming, and accessible is deeply important to me.
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My assessments are designed for personal understanding and self-discovery. They are ideal for individuals who want clarity about whether they may be autistic but do not require formal documentation for institutions. Upon request, I can provide a simple letter stating the diagnostic outcome. Many people have found this letter meets their needs when requesting accommodations, but it is your responsibility to verify this with any school or government institution.
I do not provide comprehensive written reports, which are sometimes required for schools, universities, or government agencies when applying for accommodations or services. These reports are time-intensive and expensive to produce, and I’ve intentionally structured my assessment process to be more accessible and cost-effective—without compromising on accuracy or depth.
If you believe you may need a formal report, it is your responsibility to check with the institution or agency to determine:
What type of documentation is required
Whether a specific type of provider is needed (e.g., medical doctor or psychiatrist)
If a comprehensive diagnostic report is necessary to access accommodations or services
My approach is rooted in deep clinical experience and lived understanding of adult autism. It offers an accurate, affirming assessment process without the financial burden of traditional diagnostic models—making it a meaningful option for those seeking insight, clarity, and validation.
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No, I do not include a formal written report to make the diagnostic assessment more affordable. I can offer a simple letter stating the diagnosis. If you need paperwork filled out I can do that for an extra fee.
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Getting a diagnosis of Autism as an adult can be important for several reasons:
Self-Understanding and Identity: An autistic diagnosis can provide clarity and insight into an individual's unique way of processing information, socializing, and experiencing the world. It helps individuals better understand themselves, their strengths, and their challenges.
Validation and Acceptance: For many adults, receiving an autistic diagnosis provides a sense of validation for the challenges they may have faced throughout their lives. It can be a crucial step toward self-acceptance and understanding that their experiences are valid and shared by others.
Navigating Social and Professional Relationships: Understanding one's neurodivergence can assist in navigating social and professional relationships. It can help individuals communicate their needs, preferences, and challenges to others, fostering better understanding and support from friends, family, colleagues, and employers.
Mental Health and Well-being: Many autistic adults may experience mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression, related to the stress of navigating a neurotypical world. A diagnosis can guide appropriate mental health interventions, ensuring individuals receive the support they need for their well-being.
Accommodations in Education and Work: With a diagnosis, one may find it easier to request accommodations in educational settings and the workplace, including modified work environments, flexible schedules, or specific strategies to enhance learning and productivity.
Community and Connection: Being part of the autistic community can provide a sense of belonging and connection. It offers the opportunity to share experiences, strategies, and support with others who have similar perspectives, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation. I also offer an Adult Discovered Autism Support Group!
Personal Growth and Development: Armed with self-awareness and understanding, individuals with an autistic diagnosis can embark on a journey of personal growth and development. They can focus on building strengths, acquiring coping strategies, and setting realistic goals aligned with their unique attributes.
In essence, obtaining an autistic diagnosis as an adult is a personal choice that can significantly impact various aspects of one's life, leading to increased self-awareness, access to support, and the potential for a more fulfilling and empowered life journey.
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No, we will be focusing exclusively on an Autism assessment.
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No, I specialize in diagnosing sensitive adults.
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Yes, you can also book consultation sessions with me from anywhere in the world. My mission is to help spread awareness and education about how autism presents differently in the sensitive, particularly women. If you are a mental or medical health provider, this information is important for you to have.
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No, residency is not required. Because my license is in California, I need a California address when you fill out your intake form so I can provide a diagnosis. You don’t have to live in California — even a temporary address, or a hotel works. This is for paperwork documentation only, and no further proof is needed.