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Online ADHD & Autism Testing in Utah

Comprehensive evaluations for adults

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Do I have ADHD or Autism? Am I neurodivergent?

For many adults, this question is the result of noticing a pattern. Maybe it was a felt sense that certain things like focusing, organization, social dynamics, and sensory experiences have always required more effort than they seem to for others. Other times, it’s more nuanced, because some neurodivergent individuals have learned how to adapt well enough to function and may even be successful by most external standards…

But internally, there’s often a slew of quiet, persistent questions:

  • “Why does this feel harder for me than it seems to for everyone else?”
  • “Why does my mind work this way?”
  • “Why does [sensory experience] feel so overwhelming / bother me so much?”
  • “How come no one else seems to respond this way?”
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Beyond the labels: The true purpose of evaluation

ADHD testing and Autism evaluations

ADHD and Autism are terms that can feel like intimidating labels, but they’re often discussed in simplified or overly stereotyped ways. In reality, both ADHD and Autism reflect complex neurodevelopmental patterns that exist along a spectrum, and these forms of neurodivergence present very differently in adults than they do in children. 

The purpose of getting a reliable psychological evaluation is not about getting a label. The goal of getting tested for Autism or ADHD as an adult is to help you develop a clear understanding of how your brain processes information, regulates attention, connects in relationships, and navigates the world. 

This level of clarity can be deeply relieving and extremely helpful for many reasons. Knowing and understanding how your brain functions can help you learn more accessible ways for learning and processing information, following through on tasks, and navigating relationships and the world.  

Additionally, without understanding the way you’re uniquely wired, many people default to less accurate explanations that can have long-term, harmful consequences:

  • “I’m just not disciplined enough.”
  • “I’m overthinking everything.”
  • “I should be able to handle this by now.”

 

Not only do these interpretations fall short of the big picture reality, but over time, they can evolve into cognitive distortions that become their own source of stress and negatively impact your mental health and quality of life. 

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Why do so many adults with ADHD or Autism go undiagnosed?

It’s not uncommon for individuals to reach their 20s, 30s, or 40s before serious consideration of ADHD or Autism even comes up. Especially if they are…

  • Functioning (or maintaining the appearance of functioning) well
    Intellectually capable and/or academically or professionally successful
  • Highly self-aware or introspective and can ‘socially adapt’
  • Able to compensate through effort, structure, or over-preparation 

 

In these cases, the underlying pattern may be masked – not absent.

Recognizing the patterns

While the medical world uses the term ‘symptoms,’ we view these as neurodivergent traits or characteristics that can often emerge in response to your environment. Whether you are exploring ADHD, Autism, or both, you might recognize some of these common patterns:

Common signs and symptoms of ADHD

  • Constant ‘mental noise’ or chronic overthinking
  • Difficulty sustaining focus unless something is highly engaging
  • Oscillates between hyper-focused productivity and burnout
  • Procrastination despite motivation and intention
  • Difficulty ‘starting’ or ‘following through’ on tasks

Common signs and symptoms of Autism

  • A heightened sensitivity to or difficulty interpreting social nuance
  • A strong preference for predictability, structure, or consistency
  • Ability to focus in specific areas of interest
  • Intense sensory sensitivities to certain stimuli
  • Tendency to feel overwhelmed or overstimulated in certain environments

These patterns or ‘common signs’ don’t always fit the ‘standard narratives’ people expect when they think of ADHD and Autism, which is why they often go overlooked or misinterpreted.

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How neurodivergence can overlap with anxiety and depression

ADHD, Autism, and Mental health

One of the most important things to understand is that ADHD and Autism rarely ever exist in isolation. Over time, the experience of navigating life, career, and relationships without clarity or support can lead to… 

  • Internal burnout – Exhaustion from overcompensating, adjusting, and coping
  • Anxiety – From trying to keep up, stay ahead, avoid mistakes, or maintain control
  • Relational tension – Interpersonal strain from masking sensory struggles
  • Depression – Loneliness, discouragement, or feeling isolated
  • Low self-confidence – Due to a sense of ‘falling short’ despite best efforts
  • Self-esteem challenges – Shaped by years of misunderstanding your own patterns

In some cases, neurodivergent individuals spend years being treated for anxiety and depression without realizing the full story – that there may be an underlying neurodevelopmental component contributing to their experiences. 

To be clear, getting tested for ADHD and/or Autism is not about replacing one explanation with another, but about seeing the full picture and having all the insights necessary to make informed, helpful, applicable-to-you decisions.

The advantages of virtual evaluations

Research consistently demonstrates that virtual assessments for ADHD and Autism are highly effective, reliable, and valid. Beyond the practical benefits of easier scheduling and removing transportation barriers, conducting these evaluations virtually offers distinct clinical advantages for neurodivergent individuals.

Sensory safety and unmasking

Traditional clinical offices and waiting rooms can often be overstimulating or anxiety-inducing. By doing your assessment from your own home, you have complete control over your sensory environment. You can adjust the lighting, sit in your favorite spot, and keep your personal comfort items or stim toys nearby. Being in a familiar, safe space often lowers the pressure to “mask,” allowing us to see and understand your most authentic self.

Removing executive function barriers

We know that the process of getting diagnosed can be exhausting. Virtual evaluations remove the executive function demands of navigating traffic, finding parking, and managing time-blindness on the way to an appointment. Furthermore, psychological testing requires significant mental and emotional energy. Being at home means that the moment the evaluation is over, you have the immediate space to rest and decompress without having to drive home.

Finding your best fit

While virtual evaluations are a good fit for many, we recognize that they are not the right environment for everyone. In fact, there are specific situations and clinical concerns where an in-person evaluation is best. Whether due to specific clinical complexities, privacy concerns in the home, or personal preference, our priority is to ensure you receive the most accurate and supportive care possible. If you feel unsure, please feel free to schedule a consultation to discuss what might be the best option for you and your unique situation.

What to expect in a neurodivergent evaluation

Many adults avoid psychological testing because the traditional model—spending 6 hours in a clinical office taking exhaustive, generalized tests—is exhausting, overwhelming, and overstimulating.

We do things differently. Our evaluation process is specifically designed for neurodivergent adults. We have streamlined the logistics, not the science, so you get highly reliable results without the burnout. We only use targeted assessments, and we distribute the process so it respects your energy and schedule.

Because every evaluation is customized to your unique needs, timelines can vary, but here is what you can typically expect:

Step 1 – A diagnostic intake session (60-90 minutes)

We will meet via telehealth to have a structured, face-to-face conversation regarding your history, current concerns, and goals.

Step 2 – Targeted assessments and questionnaires (2–3 hours total)

Your clinician will send you curated evaluation forms that specifically address your unique concerns. You can complete them online and at your own pace from the comfort of your home. 

Step 3 – Interactive testing or follow-up (60–90 minutes)

Depending on your specific evaluation (such as Autism assessments), this step will involve a live, virtual testing session with your clinician to complete cognitive or interactive assessments. For others, this time is simply reserved for any necessary follow-up clinical questions to ensure complete accuracy.

Step 4 – Feedback session and written report (60 minutes)

We will present you with a clear, written explanation of findings, answer your questions, and help you process how the findings relate to your life experiences. 

Cost & Insurance: Please contact us for pricing information. We do accept insurance and can bill your provider directly if your specific plan covers psychological evaluations. We highly recommend contacting your insurance provider ahead of time to verify your evaluation benefits.

Neurodivergent testing brings clarity

Benefits of getting tested for ADHD / Autism

It’s normal for people to feel hesitant regarding a diagnosis, but testing for ADHD and/or Autism does so much more than that. For many people, evaluation helps them make sense of what has always felt confusing and gives them an informed pathway to navigating life in a more supportive way. 

A proper evaluation can provide you with a framework to help you understand yourself better. Empowered by reliable insights, you can… 

  • Accurately understand and appreciate your strengths and challenges.
  • Reinterpret past experiences with legitimate self-compassion.
  • Process and work through present day struggles with a more informed context.
  • Make informed decisions regarding support, structure, or mental health care.
  • Communicate your needs more clearly in personal and professional settings.
  • Eliminate the burden of confusion with appreciation for the unique way in which you operate.
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ADHD assessments and Autism evaluations for adults

Should I get tested for Autism or ADHD if I’m already an adult?

Neurodiversity is real and discovering the way you’re uniquely wired can be a fascinating and empowering next step on your journey of self-exploration. 

Evaluations are especially worth considering if:

  • You’ve long suspected you might have ADHD or Autism but never pursued formal evaluation.
  • You’ve participated in therapy for anxiety or depression, but treatment has lacked clarity.
  • You’ve consistently struggled with focus, organization, problem solving, and/or follow-through. 
  • Certain environments feel exhausting and overstimulating in ways that feel unique to you.
  • Social interactions feel complex, draining, or even ‘boring’ in ways that are hard to explain.
  • You feel like you’re constantly adapting and coping, but still feel like something isn’t quite aligned. 

Or you just want to know. You want a precise understanding of how and why your mind works the way it does so you can use that information to help yourself succeed, heal, thrive, or clarify your life experiences.

A collaborative, expert-led approach

Our process is both clinical and collaborative. This means we are not going to ‘observe you from a distance.’ You will be fully engaged with and actively participate in the entire process as we assess your context, history, and complexity. The nuance matters, and our goal is to arrive at an understanding that is accurate, reliable, and useful. This will be something that empowers you to move forward on your journey with clarity and confidence.

How to get evaluated for ADHD or Autism

Taking the next step – Beginning the process

If you’re not sure whether or not an evaluation is the next right step for you, a helpful preliminary step is to complete our free mental health screening. Instead of getting an auto-scored result, you will receive customized feedback from one of our psychologists, including information you can use to help you explore whether testing or another form of support would be most beneficial. 

If you’re ready to move forward with an ADHD and/or Autism evaluation, you can schedule a complimentary 15-minute virtual discovery call where we can discuss next steps.

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About Adam McDonald, PhD

Dr. Adam McDonald is a Licensed Psychologist who utilizes an experiential, trauma-focused, highly integrative, mindful-somatic approach to help people move from managing symptoms to resolving what’s underneath them. He understands that true healing requires integrating the mind and body, allowing the nervous system to return to a state of safety and connection. Deeply attuned to the realities of suffering and healing, Adam views himself as a fellow traveler in the therapeutic process. Learn more about him and discover his approach here.

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