Author of the forthcoming clinical book
Autistic Women: A Clinician’s Guide to
Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support (W. W. Norton)
Neurodiversity-affirming support for autistic women and highly sensitive adults seeking clarity, understanding, and next steps
Supportive, Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism Assessments
with Julie Bjelland, LMFT
Author of the forthcoming clinical book, Autistic Women: A Clinician’s Guide to
Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support (W. W. Norton)
My assessment process is designed for adults, especially women and gender-diverse people, who have spent a lifetime masking, appearing functional on the outside while feeling overwhelmed on the inside, and being misunderstood.
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.
If you’re ready to understand yourself more clearly and feel supported in the process, you can schedule your assessment below.
Adult Autism Assessment Details
This assessment includes a client information form, three written assessment forms, and a live video assessment/results session designed to support thoughtful reflection and a meaningful, collaborative conversation.
Client Information Form
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.
Written Assessment Questionnaires
After scheduling, you will receive a confirmation email with links to the Written Autism Assessment Forms. Parts 1, 2, and 3 must be submitted at least 48 hours before your scheduled video session.
Because this is an in-depth process, please give yourself time and space to complete the questionnaires thoughtfully. Your responses help me understand your lived experience, patterns, strengths, and challenges so I can prepare carefully and make our time together as focused, supportive, and meaningful as possible.
Live Video Assessment and Results Session
We will have about 45 minutes together for the first part of the session, followed by a 15-minute break so you can hydrate, have a snack, move, or rest. Then we will come back together for the final 30 minutes.
This structure gives us time to move gently through the process. We will have space to explore nuance and follow-up areas, review the results of your evaluation, answer questions that come up, and discuss supportive next steps and follow-up ideas.
I encourage you to give yourself time before and after the session for solitude, rest, and gentle nervous system care.
📍 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, lived-experience assessment designed especially for women and sensitive, internal processors and high-masking adults.
👉 Includes advance review of written materials, an in-depth discussion of your lived experience, evaluation results, and, when appropriate, a one-page diagnostic letter.
What’s Included in the Assessment
This assessment is a thoughtful, in-depth process that includes much more than the 90-minute video session. It includes the time I spend carefully reviewing your written materials in advance, so I can come into our session with a deeper understanding of your lived experience, history, patterns, strengths, and support needs.
Your assessment includes:
• Comprehensive written intake and Written Autism Assessment Forms (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
• Careful, in-depth clinical review of your written materials by me before we meet
• A 90-minute live video assessment experience where we move through the process gently together, explore your lived experience, review the results, answer your questions, and discuss supportive next steps
• Education and support throughout the process to help you better understand your neurotype and your needs
• A one-page diagnostic letter if autism is formally identified
The one-page diagnostic letter is brief documentation of the diagnostic outcome. It is different from the Personalized Autism Profile Report, which is a much more detailed written summary of your autistic profile, patterns, strengths, support needs, and functional impact.
• A detailed Personalized Autism Profile Report if you selected the assessment option that includes this report
This approach is grounded in extensive clinical experience identifying autism in women and sensitive, high-masking adults and often captures nuance that standardized testing can miss.
🔽 What to Expect
Many people feel more at ease when they know what to expect ahead of time.
👉 Open “Understanding the Autism Assessment Process”
Why My Approach Is Different
Many commonly used autism assessment tools, such as the ADOS-2, ADI-R, AQ, RAADS-R, and SRS-2, were developed within diagnostic models that historically centered more externally visible presentations, especially those historically recognized in young white boys. As a result, they often miss women and sensitive, high-masking adults whose traits may be more internalized, camouflaged, or carefully adapted.
My approach focuses on lived experience, developmental history, nervous system patterns, masking, sensory load, autistic burnout, processing differences, communication and relationship patterns, deep interests, predictability needs, body-based sensitivities, strengths, and the internal experience beneath what may be visible on the outside.
The assessment is also a supportive, educational experience designed to help you understand your nervous system, recognize areas of challenge with more compassion, and identify practical next steps. Many women describe this process as life-changing because it helps remove years of self-blame and replace it with self-understanding.
The assessment is not only a search for diagnostic clarity. For many women, it may also be the first clinical space in which you do not have to prove the reality of your inner world. Instead of being evaluated only by what can be observed externally, your internal sensory, emotional, relational, and nervous system patterns are listened to as meaningful clinical information.
This approach is especially supportive for women and adults who have spent years adapting, masking, or being misunderstood, and who need an assessment process that looks beneath external presentation to understand what has been happening internally.
🔽 Privacy & Confidentiality
All autism assessments are private and confidential. No information is shared with insurance or agencies.
Assessment Options
Adult Autism Assessment
Cost: $1200
Includes comprehensive written intake, Written Autism Assessment Questions, clinical review of your written materials before we meet, a 90-minute video assessment/results session, verbal feedback and discussion during the session, education and support throughout the process, and a simple diagnostic letter if Autism is identified.
This option does not include a detailed written Personalized Autism Profile Report after the session.
Adult Autism Assessment + Personalized Autism Profile Report
Cost: $1800
Includes everything in the Adult Autism Assessment option, plus a detailed written Personalized Autism Profile Report after the assessment. This report provides a personalized summary of your autistic profile, strengths, functional impact, sensory and communication needs, masking patterns, burnout/shutdown patterns, personalized load profile, and support considerations. This option is helpful if you want a detailed written summary to revisit after the session, use in therapy, or share with trusted support people.
Important documentation note:
The diagnostic letter and Personalized Autism Profile Report are designed for self-understanding, therapy, support planning, and optional sharing. They are not a formal neuropsychological evaluation, legal disability evaluation, educational testing report, or guaranteed accommodations document. If you need documentation for a school, workplace, government agency, disability benefits, legal matter, or other organization, please confirm their requirements before scheduling.
💛A Supportive, Guided Process
My goal is to help you understand your neurotype more clearly and feel supported throughout the process.
Personalized Autism Profile Report
For clients who would like a more detailed written summary, the Adult Autism Assessment + Personalized Autism Profile Report option includes a detailed, neurodiversity-affirming written report after the assessment.
The Personalized Autism Profile Report expands on what we discuss during your assessment/results session and provides a more detailed written summary of the patterns identified throughout your assessment. It brings together information from your written assessment responses, developmental history, and live session to help you better understand how Autism appears across your life, relationships, sensory experiences, strengths, challenges, masking patterns, burnout history, functional impact, and support needs.
This report is written in privacy-protective clinical language rather than using direct quotes from your written responses, so it can be easier to revisit or share if you choose.
Your Personalized Autism Profile Report may include:
• Your autistic profile and diagnostic themes
• Developmental history highlights
• Social communication and relationship patterns
• Sensory processing profile
• Routine, predictability, and transition needs
• Masking and compensation patterns
• Burnout, shutdown, and recovery patterns
• Personalized load profile
• Strengths and autistic qualities
• Functional impact summary
• Personalized support considerations
• Notes for therapists/providers
• Notes for family and loved ones
• Suggested next steps
• A one-page shareable Autism profile summary
This report can be especially helpful if you want a more complete written explanation to revisit after the session, use in therapy, share with trusted loved ones, or keep as a personalized guide for understanding your needs and supports over time.
The Personalized Autism Profile Report is a detailed written summary for self-understanding, therapy, support planning, and optional sharing. It is not a formal neuropsychological evaluation, legal disability evaluation, educational testing report, or guaranteed accommodations document.
If you need documentation for a school, workplace, government agency, disability benefits, legal matter, or other organization, you are responsible for confirming their specific documentation requirements before scheduling.
The Personalized Autism Profile Report may be selected at scheduling as part of the expanded assessment option. If you decide after your assessment that you would like to request the report, please contact us to ask whether this can be added.
🔽 Optional: Adult Autism Consultation
Not ready for a diagnostic autism assessment? Consultations offer a gentle way to explore your traits, questions, and self-understanding before deciding whether an assessment feels right for you.
🌍 Consultations are available worldwide: Schedule Here
This Is More Than a Diagnosis
“Getting diagnosed as an adult was one of the most freeing and healing experiences of my life. It helped me understand myself in a way I never could before, and allowed me to release years of self-judgment and replace it with self-compassion.”
I hear over and over again how validating and transformative it is to finally have language for what you've felt your whole life. You are not alone, and you deserve clarity, understanding, and support.
This is a path to reclaim your story—and begin showing up for yourself with gentleness and truth. Whether you're beginning to explore or ready to confirm, I’m here to walk beside you.
About Julie Bjelland, LMFT
I am a licensed psychotherapist and a leading specialist in adult-diagnosed autistic women and the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype. I am currently writing a professional clinical book titled Autistic Women: A Clinician’s Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support, under contract with W. W. Norton.
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 space for LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse clients, with culturally responsive care for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color within sensitive and neurodivergent communities.
🌱 General Consultations for the Sensitive and Neurodivergent
For Individuals
Receive supportive guidance to help you navigate life as a sensitive or neurodivergent person. Together, we can explore whatever feels most important to you.
For Practitioners
If you’re a therapist, coach, or provider working with sensitive or neurodivergent clients, I offer consultation to help you deepen your understanding and develop affirming strategies.
Some beautiful words from clients…
“Julie, I can’t even put into words how much your support has meant to me. This has been incredibly helpful and validating.” – E.G., California
“I’ve made so much progress in understanding myself and feeling empowered since working with you. It’s truly transformative.” – M.T., United Kingdom
“I came into our session feeling lost, and in just one conversation, I gained the clarity I needed to move forward with confidence.” – C.W., Texas
“This experience has been life-changing. Talking with you has given me insights, validation, and tools that I wish I had found sooner.” – L.D., Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
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A consultation is a supportive conversation for exploring your traits, questions, and self-understanding. It does not include a formal autism diagnosis or diagnostic letter.
An autism assessment is a diagnostic process. It includes written assessment forms, clinical review of your written materials, a 90-minute live video assessment/results session, verbal feedback, supportive next steps, and a one-page diagnostic letter if autism is formally identified.
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A consultation may be a good fit if you are still exploring, unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, or want support understanding your sensitive or neurodivergent traits.
An autism assessment may be a good fit if you are seeking diagnostic clarity, want a more in-depth review of lifelong patterns, and would like to know whether autism explains your lived experience.
The assessment with the Personalized Autism Profile Report may be a good fit if you want a detailed written summary to revisit after the session, use in therapy, or share with trusted supports.
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The Adult Autism Assessment includes a client information form, Written Autism Assessment Forms Parts 1, 2, and 3, careful review of your written materials before we meet, a 90-minute live video assessment/results session, verbal feedback and discussion, education and supportive next steps, and a one-page diagnostic letter if autism is formally identified.
This option does not include a detailed written Personalized Autism Profile Report.
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The Personalized Autism Profile Report is a detailed written summary created after the assessment. It expands on what we discuss during your assessment/results session and may include your autistic profile, developmental patterns, sensory profile, communication and relationship patterns, masking and burnout patterns, functional impact, strengths, support considerations, and a one-page shareable autism profile summary.
This report is especially helpful if you want something detailed to revisit, bring into therapy, or share with trusted supports.
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The diagnostic letter is a brief, one-page document that states the diagnostic outcome if autism is formally identified.
The Personalized Autism Profile Report is a much more detailed written summary of your autistic profile, patterns, strengths, support needs, functional impact, and personalized support considerations.
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The report may be helpful if you want a detailed written explanation to revisit later, use in therapy, share with loved ones, or keep as a personal guide for understanding your needs and supports. It can be especially useful for people who process information better in writing or who may feel too overwhelmed during the session to remember everything discussed.
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No. This is an autism-focused assessment. It is not a full neuropsychological evaluation, legal disability evaluation, educational testing report, or guaranteed accommodations document.
If you need documentation for a school, workplace, government agency, disability benefits, legal matter, or another organization, you are responsible for confirming their specific documentation requirements before scheduling.
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You may choose to share your diagnostic letter or Personalized Autism Profile Report with a therapist, provider, workplace, school, family member, loved one, or trusted support person.
However, every organization has its own requirements. I cannot guarantee that any specific school, workplace, government agency, disability program, legal setting, or other organization will accept the documentation. Please confirm their requirements before scheduling if you need documentation for a specific purpose.
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A separate workplace accommodations letter may be available for an additional fee. This is different from the diagnostic letter and different from the Personalized Autism Profile Report.
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After scheduling, you will receive links to the Written Autism Assessment Forms. Parts 1, 2, and 3 must be completed at least 48 hours before your scheduled video session.
These forms are an important part of the assessment process. They help me understand your lived experience, developmental history, nervous system patterns, strengths, challenges, and support needs before we meet.
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The session is 90 minutes total. We will meet for about 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break so you can hydrate, have a snack, move, rest, or regulate your nervous system. Then we will return for the final 30 minutes.
During the session, we will explore relevant follow-up areas, review the results of your evaluation, discuss whether autism is identified, answer questions, and talk about supportive next steps.
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California licensing requirements ask that you be physically present in California during the live video assessment session, but you do not need to live in California. Your physical location is not electronically tracked during the session. For paperwork purposes, a California address is required on the Client Information Form. A temporary California address, such as a hotel, friend/family address, or other temporary address, is acceptable.
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All autism assessments are private and confidential. No information is shared with insurance, agencies, employers, schools, or family members unless you choose to share it yourself or provide written permission.
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This assessment evaluates autism only. Many autistic adults also have co-occurring or overlapping experiences such as ADHD, anxiety, trauma history, sensory sensitivity, burnout, depression, OCD traits, or chronic nervous system stress.
These patterns may be discussed when relevant to understanding your lived experience, but this assessment does not provide a formal diagnosis for anything other than autism.
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Many late-discovered autistic women and high-masking adults have been missed in previous evaluations, especially when autism was understood mainly through more externally visible or stereotyped presentations. Some people are told they are not autistic because they make eye contact, have relationships, are articulate, have empathy, did well in school, or have spent a lifetime masking and adapting.
Your previous evaluation can be helpful context, but it does not automatically determine the outcome of this assessment. My process looks beneath external presentation and centers your lived experience, developmental patterns, nervous system needs, sensory profile, masking, burnout, communication style, relationships, and internal experience.
If you believe you are autistic, your self-understanding is worth taking seriously.
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That is very common. The written question forms help reduce the pressure to explain everything live. You do not need to present perfectly or remember everything during the session.
The process is designed to be gentle, collaborative, and supportive, with space for nuance, processing time, and nervous system care.
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Payment is due at the time of scheduling. This is a private-pay service and is not billed through insurance.
Because autism assessments include advance preparation and review of your written materials, please give at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This allows time for the appointment to be offered to someone else and honors the review time set aside for your assessment.
Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours’ notice may not be eligible for a refund. Please review the scheduling page carefully before booking.
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If you do not see an available time that works for you, please contact us to ask about availability.
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Sessions are held by live video. The video link and instructions will be included in your scheduling confirmation.
Questions? Contact us here