Autism Evaluations (Ages 5–Adult)
Understanding Social, Emotional, and Developmental Patterns
Gentle, strengths-based evaluations that help you or your child feel seen, understood, and supported.
Understanding What’s Beneath the Surface
Sometimes it’s hard to put your finger on what feels different.
Maybe it’s social interactions, emotional reactions, sensory sensitivities, or the way routines and transitions feel overwhelming.
Parents often say:
- “They don’t seem interested in playing with other children—should I be concerned?”
- “Their reactions or meltdowns feel bigger or harder to manage than expected.”
- “Other children their age seem to be developing differently—should I wait or look into this now?”
Adults often wonder:
- “I can socialize, but it takes a lot of effort—why does it feel so draining?”
- “I’ve always felt out of sync socially, even though I’ve learned how to cope.”
- “Could my anxiety, burnout, or overwhelm be related to something more?
- “Who even evaluates this at my age?”
Who This Is For
- Children (ages 5+) with social, emotional, or developmental concerns
- Teens navigating identity, friendships, or school stress
- Adults exploring autism for the first time, often after years of masking
- Individuals who were overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood earlier in life
- Parents who want clear answers and realistic next steps for home, school, and everything in between.
- Anyone seeking understanding, not assumptions
Signs Autism Might Be Part of the Picture
There’s no one way autism looks, and it often gets missed, especially in women, gifted individuals, and those who’ve learned to mask. Here are just a few reasons families and individuals seek evaluation:
- Emotional reactions that feel “too big” or hard to explain
- Preference for routine, sameness, or control
- Sensory sensitivities (to sounds, tags, lights, etc.)
- Trouble with social nuance, change, or flexibility
- Exhaustion after interacting with others
- Difficulty knowing how you feel or putting it into words
- Feeling different your whole life, but not knowing why
My Approach
Seeking an evaluation doesn’t mean something is wrong with you or your child. It means you’re ready to understand more deeply.
Here’s how I approach the process:
I meet you where you are.
Whether you’re just starting to wonder or have been on this path for years, I adapt to your pace, your questions, and your needs.
We work together.
Evaluations aren’t done to you, they’re done with you. I take time to understand the full story, not just the scores.
I look beyond the surface.
I explore communication styles, routines, sensory needs, and how you (or your child) navigate daily life, so the results reflect real experiences.
The process is flexible.
I offer space for movement, quiet time, breaks, or whatever helps the process feel calm and doable, especially for younger kids or neurodivergent clients.
You’ll get a strengths-based report.
Your report captures what’s working, what’s challenging, and practical ways to support growth, written in a clear, kind, and useful way.
You’ll get a roadmap.
We review everything together in a way that feels clear and grounded. The roadmap shows actionable next steps you can actually use in real life.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Evaluation
Intake Interview (Virtual)
We’ll start with a one-on-one conversation over video. This is where I’ll learn more about you (or your child), what’s been going on, what you’re hoping to figure out through testing, and how I can help guide you moving forward. We’ll also go over any forms or background information you’ve shared.
In-Person Testing
Testing takes place at my office in Richmond, and usually happens over one or two sessions. I follow your (or your child’s) lead when it comes to pacing. Some people need more breaks than others. I encourage you to bring snacks, dress comfortably, and if you need a fidget or comfort item to make the experience less stressful, go for it!
Feedback Session (Virtual)
Once testing is complete and I’ve reviewed everything, we’ll meet again by video to go over the results. I’ll walk you through the findings, talk through any diagnoses (as applicable), and share specific, realistic recommendations you can actually use at home and at school.
Roadmap Report
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report that puts everything together: scores, patterns, insights, and next steps. I write these to be understandable and practical, something you can share with teachers, therapists, or just keep for yourself. Reports are generally completed within one week of the final testing session, depending on the time of year and completion of all required materials. Results are reviewed together in a virtual appointment.
– Dr. Lee Ridens
Find Out What Helps Most
We’ll explore the challenges and find realistic, useful strategies that fit your needs.