Specialized Diagnostic Evaluations

Comprehensive Clinical Assessments for Adults (18+)

Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism & ADHD Evaluations and Military MEPS Clearance in Central New York

At Todd Ray LCSW PLLC, we believe that understanding your brain is the first step toward living a more authentic, unburdened life. We offer specialized, out-of-pocket clinical diagnostic assessments designed specifically for adults (18+).

By operating as an out-of-pocket/private-pay service, we bypass the restrictive red tape of insurance companies. This guarantees your absolute privacy, allows us to utilize a comprehensive and flexible battery of clinical tools, and keeps our timeline efficient so you aren't stuck on a 12-month waitlist.

Why Seek an Autism or ADHD Evaluation as an Adult?

Many neurodivergent adults spend decades feeling misunderstood, exhausted by "masking" (suppressing their natural traits to fit in), or misdiagnosed with anxiety, bipolar disorder, or treatment-resistant depression. An accurate, late-in-life diagnosis can be profoundly healing and highly practical.

Benefits of a Formal Adult Diagnosis Include:

Workplace & Educational Protections: Our comprehensive clinical reports are designed to help you secure reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), such as remote work options, sensory accommodations in the office, or extended testing time in college/grad school.
Relief from Burnout: Moving from "What is wrong with me?" to "My brain is simply wired differently" allows you to stop pushing yourself to neurotypical standards and start managing your energy effectively.
Targeted Treatment: Ensuring you receive the correct therapeutic support and preventing ineffective treatments based on past misdiagnoses.

Our Assessment Packages & Transparent Pricing

We believe in transparent, accessible pricing. All assessment packages include a comprehensive intake, clinical interviews, standardized rating scales, a formal written diagnostic report, and a 1-on-1 feedback session.

Adult Autism Spectrum Evaluation (In-Person) — $695

Autism presents differently in adults, especially in women and those who have learned to mask their traits. We do not rely on subjective, outdated checklists. We use a gold-standard, multi-method approach tailored for fluent adults.

The Assessment Includes:
- A structured, interactive in-person observation designed to evaluate your natural social communication and behavioral patterns.
- Standardized behavioral questionnaires completed by you and an informant (like a partner, close friend, or parent).
- An evaluation of adaptive behavior, measuring how your neurodivergent traits impact your daily functioning and independence—which is crucial for securing formal accommodations.

Adult ADHD Evaluation — $495

Struggling with chronic procrastination, time blindness, or an inability to activate on tasks? We look beyond simple hyperactivity to assess the core executive functioning challenges of ADHD.

The Assessment Includes:
- A detailed clinical interview exploring your developmental history and current challenges.
- Standardized adult attention and executive functioning rating scales to pinpoint exactly where your organizational systems need support.

Combined Adult Autism & ADHD Evaluation — $995

Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur. Because traits of one can sometimes mask the traits of the other, a dual assessment provides the most complete and accurate picture of your neurobiology.

The Assessment Includes:
- All clinical interviews, standardized rating scales, and the in-person observational testing from both the Autism and ADHD packages, synthesized into one comprehensive clinical report.

Military MEPS Clearance & Waiver Evaluations — $350

If you are pursuing military service and have been flagged at MEPS for past mental health history, you may require a specialized biopsychosocial assessment.

The Assessment Includes:
- A thorough clinical evaluation focused on military medical fitness criteria, an assessment of your current mental health stability, and the crafting of a formal, audit-proof waiver letter tailored to the requirements of military command.

What to Expect: The Assessment Process

Step 1: Intake & Self-Reporting. Once scheduled, you will complete secure, online standardized rating scales from the comfort of your home. We will also send a questionnaire to a trusted family member, partner, or close friend to gather a well-rounded perspective.
Step 2: The Clinical Session. Depending on your package, we will meet via telehealth or at our in Liverpool, NY. This session consists of structured, conversational activities and a deep-dive interview designed to observe your natural communication style, sensory processing, and developmental history.
Step 3: The Report & Feedback. After scoring your assessments, I will write a comprehensive, court-defensible, and ADA-compliant diagnostic report. We will meet for a final session to discuss your results, review your written report, and map out your next steps for support and self-advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can an LCSW-R legally diagnose Autism and ADHD in New York?
A: Yes. Under New York State Education Department regulations, Licensed Clinical Social Workers are fully authorized to diagnose mental, emotional, behavioral, and developmental disorders (such as Autism and ADHD). As an LCSW-R, I have advanced clinical credentials, specialized training, and years of diagnostic experience.

Q: Will my employer or college accept this evaluation for accommodations?
A: Yes. Our comprehensive reports are designed to meet the rigorous standards required for workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and university accessibility offices.

Please note: If you are seeking state-funded developmental disability services (such as NYS OPWDD) or formal SSI/SSDI government disability benefits, those specific agencies often require a full cognitive/IQ battery performed by a doctoral-level psychologist. If that is your primary goal, we are happy to refer you to a local partner neuropsychologist.

Q: Will this diagnosis go on my permanent medical record?
A: Because this is an out-of-pocket, private-pay service, your evaluation remains completely confidential. We do not report your diagnosis to any insurance databases or medical registries. You are in complete control of who sees your report.

Q: Why are these assessments out-of-pocket instead of being covered by my health insurance?

A: While health insurance companies readily cover standard psychotherapy sessions, they place strict limitations on billing for comprehensive diagnostic testing. An insurance company's standard intake code (90791) is only designed to cover a basic, one-hour mental health interview. It does not cover the multi-hour, deep-dive process required for a gold-standard Autism, ADHD, or Military evaluation.

Furthermore, insurance companies restrict the specific billing codes used for "testing, scoring, and report writing" exclusively to doctoral-level psychologists (PhDs/PsyDs). Even though an LCSW-R is fully legally authorized by New York State to perform these developmental assessments, insurance panels will categorically deny the testing claims from a master's-level clinician.

Because our evaluations require standardized rating scales, collateral interviews, observational testing, and hours of complex report writing, they fall entirely outside the billable scope of standard "psychotherapy." By operating out-of-pocket, we are able to provide you with the thorough, high-quality evaluation you deserve without insurance companies dictating your care or putting a permanent diagnosis on your medical record.

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