Autism spectrum disorder, also called autism or ASD, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person experiences, understands, and interacts with the world.

Autistic individuals may communicate, socialize, learn, process sensory information, or respond to change differently from others. Some people need significant daily support, while others live independently but experience challenges that may not be immediately visible.

Autism can look different from one person to another. Possible characteristics may include:

• Differences in social communication or interaction
• Difficulty interpreting social cues, facial expressions, or tone of voice
• Repetitive movements, behaviors, routines, or speech patterns
• Highly focused interests
• Sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, smells, or other sensory experiences
• A strong preference for predictability and routine
• Difficulty adjusting to unexpected changes
• Feeling socially exhausted or needing time to recover after interactions
• Masking or consciously hiding autistic characteristics to fit social expectations

Many autistic people also demonstrate meaningful strengths, including creativity, honesty, attention to detail, strong memory, deep knowledge of preferred subjects, innovative thinking, and a unique way of understanding the world.

Autism is not caused by poor parenting, and it is not something a person simply “outgrows.” An accurate evaluation can provide clarity, improve self-understanding, identify appropriate support needs, and guide treatment, educational, workplace, or community recommendations.

Mind Body Connection Health & Wellness provides comprehensive autism evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults.

Our approach is individualized, respectful, and strengths-based. We recognize that autism may be overlooked in people who have learned to mask their differences, including women, adults, people of color, and individuals previously diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or trauma-related disorders.

An autism diagnosis is not based on one questionnaire, observation, or test score. Our evaluation process considers the individual’s developmental history, current functioning, communication style, social experiences, sensory profile, behavior, strengths, challenges, and possible co-occurring conditions.

Depending on the person’s age, communication abilities, clinical presentation, and evaluation needs, the assessment may incorporate one or more of the following specialized instruments:

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition, or ADOS-2, is a standardized, activity-based assessment used to observe communication, social interaction, play, imagination, and behaviors associated with autism.

During the ADOS-2, the clinician engages the individual in structured or semi-structured activities selected for the person’s age and language level. The goal is not to test intelligence or determine whether someone gives “right” answers. The activities give the clinician an opportunity to observe the person’s natural communication and interaction patterns.

The ADOS-2 includes different modules so the evaluation can be adapted for individuals with varying ages, developmental levels, and verbal abilities.

The Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised, or ADI-R, is a comprehensive, structured interview conducted with a parent, caregiver, or another person who is familiar with the individual’s early development and current functioning.

The interview gathers detailed information about:

• Early childhood development
• Language and communication
• Social interaction
• Play and relationships
• Restricted or repetitive behaviors
• Interests, routines, and sensory experiences
• Developmental changes or loss of previously acquired skills
• Current strengths and support needs

The ADI-R can be especially helpful because autism evaluations require consideration of both present-day functioning and developmental history.

For an adult evaluation, a parent or caregiver may be invited to participate when appropriate and available. However, the inability to obtain complete childhood records or caregiver participation does not automatically prevent an adult from being evaluated. The clinician will determine what additional information may be used to develop the most complete clinical picture possible.

The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition, or MIGDAS-2, is a sensory-based, qualitative assessment approach for children, adolescents, and adults.

The MIGDAS-2 uses conversation, observation, sensory materials, and individualized activities to explore the person’s:

• Communication style
• Social relationships and interactions
• Sensory experiences
• Preferred interests
• Patterns of behavior
• Emotional regulation
• Daily functioning
• Individual strengths and needs

This approach helps the clinician understand not only whether characteristics of autism may be present, but also how the person experiences the world. It can be particularly valuable for individuals whose autism presentation is subtle, complex, masked, or difficult to capture through standardized scores alone.

Although every evaluation is individualized, the process may include:

1. A clinical intake and discussion of current concerns
2. Review of developmental, medical, behavioral, educational, and mental health history
3. Interviews with the individual and, when appropriate, a parent, caregiver, partner, or other knowledgeable person
4. Administration of selected autism-specific assessment instruments
5. Evaluation of symptoms that may overlap with autism, including ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, communication differences, and other developmental or psychiatric conditions
6. Integration of assessment findings using established diagnostic criteria
7. A feedback appointment to explain the results and answer questions
8. A written evaluation report with diagnostic conclusions and individualized recommendations

The ADOS-2, ADI-R, and MIGDAS-2 provide valuable clinical information, but no single instrument should be used by itself to confirm or rule out autism.

A comprehensive diagnosis is based on the clinician’s integration of assessment findings, developmental history, direct observation, clinical judgment, and established diagnostic criteria. The purpose is to develop an accurate and meaningful understanding of the whole person—not simply to assign a label.

An autism evaluation may help provide:

• Greater understanding of lifelong experiences and differences
• Clarification of symptoms that may have been misunderstood or misdiagnosed
• Identification of personal strengths and support needs
• Treatment and care-planning recommendations
• Guidance for educational or workplace accommodations
• Recommendations for therapy, skill development, or community resources
• Language for communicating needs to family members, healthcare providers, schools, or employers
• A clearer path forward for the individual and family

Receiving an autism diagnosis does not change who a person is. For many individuals, it provides an explanation for experiences they have had throughout their lives and creates an opportunity to pursue support that better fits their needs.

If you or your child may be showing characteristics of autism, Mind Body Connection Health & Wellness is here to help you pursue answers through a thoughtful, comprehensive, and respectful evaluation process.