Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
At NYC Neurobehavioral Health, autism evaluations are conducted with clinical rigor, respect for neurodiversity, and a commitment to translating complex findings into clear, practical recommendations. Dr. Harvey draws from 15 years of care for people with autism to give you a diagnosis, planning and advocacy that you can be confident in.
What to Expect
We start with a detailed clinical interview, often including the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R), covering:
- current concerns and goals;
- developmental history and early social communication patterns;
- education/work history, relationships, daily functioning;
- sensory preferences, routines, and interests;
- mental health and medical factors that can influence presentation (sleep, anxiety, mood, trauma, etc.).
When it’s clinically helpful, input from someone who knows you well (a parent, partner, or close family member) adds context and strengthens diagnostic confidence.
The in-person evaluation typically includes structured clinical interactions, often drawing from the ADOS-2, plus carefully selected, standardized assessments that can help characterize:
- attention and executive functioning;
- language and pragmatic communication;
- social perception and social reasoning;
- learning and memory;
- processing speed and working memory.
Many concerns overlap in real life. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep disruption, trauma, and medical factors can mimic—or intensify—autistic traits. The evaluation includes targeted screening and clinical decision-making to separate primary autism features from co-occuring drivers of symptoms.
When it’s clinically helpful, input from someone who knows you well (a parent, partner, or close family member) adds context and strengthens diagnostic confidence.
Recommendations are individualized and always include the most effective interventions that relevant scientific literature details. These may include:
- therapeutic planning;
- school supports (IEP/504 guidance, accommodations, learning supports);
- executive function supports;
- specific referrals for behavioral therapy;
- workplace accommodations and communication supports;
You’ll have a feedback meeting to walk through the results, answer questions, and make sure recommendations feel adequate. I follow through by acting as an advocate in representing my findings.
The Highest Standards
Meeting the highest standards in autism evaluation means looking beyond surface traits and understanding the whole person in developmental, social, and clinical context. It can be particularly subtle for individuals who have learned to mask, compensate, or adapt. This is why diagnosis should never be narrow in scope. Only a comprehensive evaluation integrates clinical experience and expertise with:
- a careful developmental and psychosocial history;
- direct observation and structured clinical interaction;
- standardized measures selected to match age and profile;
- collateral input from (parent/partner/teacher);
- screening for co-occurring conditions that can mimic or amplify autistic traits.
Book a brief consultation with Dr. Harvey today to discuss your concerns, clarify next steps, and determine whether a comprehensive autism evaluation is the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain develops and processes social communication, behavior, and sensory information. Signs can emerge very early in life, sometimes within the first year, including limited eye contact, reduced social engagement, or delayed babbling and gestures.
The condition is characterized by differences in communication, which may include limited speech, atypical language patterns, or nonverbal communication styles. It also involves rigid patterns of behavior such as focused interests, repetitive movements, sensitivity to sensory input, and difficulty adapting to changes in routine.
Research indicates that autism spectrum disorder arises from a complex interaction between genetic factors and environmental influences, including broader social conditions that affect development. These influences may increase the likelihood that autism will emerge and may shape how it presents in a particular child. However, an increased likelihood is not the same as a direct cause. Many people carry genetic variations associated with autism or experience environmental risk factors and never develop the condition.
The goal is a clear report that translates findings into actionable accommodations and next steps. (If you need documentation for a specific setting, mention that up front so the evaluation can be tailored.)
Yes. Adult autism assessment often requires special attention to masking/compensation, developmental history, and the ways work/relationships can influence symptoms.
While an informant interview (e.g., teacher, parent, partner) can be helpful, it is not necessary. Instead, further rating scales or testing can make up for this.
Dr. Harvey has clinical expertise in identifying and evaluating the pathological demand avoidance (PDA) profile within autism spectrum presentations. PDA is a profile on the autism spectrum characterized by an extreme anxiety-driven need to avoid everyday demands and expectations. Individuals with this profile often use a wide range of strategies to resist demands, including distraction, negotiation, humor, withdrawal, or emotional outbursts. The avoidance is not willful defiance but a response to overwhelming anxiety and a strong need for autonomy and control.
Dr. Harvey has clinical expertise in identifying and evaluating AuDHD, a term commonly used to describe individuals who meet criteria for both autism and ADHD, reflecting the overlapping neurodevelopmental features that can affect attention, regulation, and social communication.
Under DSM-IV, ADHD could not be diagnosed alongside autism, but DSM-5 changed that rule and explicitly allowed both diagnoses to be made together when criteria for each are met.
Recent research increasingly supports the view that autism and ADHD have meaningful overlap in underlying traits, executive functioning, sensory regulation, and developmental presentation, which is why many clinicians now think in terms of a broader, intersecting neurodevelopmental spectrum rather than two entirely separate conditions.
If you have questions about autism assessment, reach out to Dr. Harvey.