AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) in teens and adults

Evaluation Options

• Developmental/Psychological Evaluation for Autism

  • Children ages 5 and under: $1600

  • Children ages 6 and over, and adults: $2850

  • Adults may complete this in person or via telehealth

• Screening for Autism (Adults Only)

  • $600, available in person or via telehealth

  • For more information about screenings, please click here.

What are some characteristics of Autism/Neurodivergence?

Autism is a spectrum, and each autistic person has a unique profile of strengths and challenges. Some common characteristics may include:

• Differences in developing and navigating complex social communication and interaction skills

• Variability in nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, facial expression, or reading social cues

• Strong language skills in some areas (e.g., vocabulary, verbal reasoning), even if communication differences are present

• Average to above-average intelligence is common

• Having few or different types of friendships or relationships across the lifespan

• Preferring to share interests and enjoyment in unique ways, not always in ways others expect

• Differences in identifying, expressing, or regulating emotions

• Heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory experiences (sound, light, textures, tastes, smells, etc.)

• Strong, focused interests in specific subjects or activities

• Preference for routines and predictability

• Use of masking strategies (consciously or unconsciously “camouflaging” autistic traits), which may reduce stigma but often increases stress and anxiety

It is important to remember that autistic people vary widely. Characteristics may be subtle, significant, or change depending on the environment. A professional, comprehensive evaluation can clarify whether these experiences are part of autism or another condition.

It is not uncommon for autistic adults to be misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and personality disorders such as Borderline, Narcissistic, or Obsessive Compulsive personality disorders, as well as other diagnoses.

Dr. Korey specializes in Neurodiversity Affirming assessment of children and adults. If you are an adult and suspect Autism, you can take this screener test here.  Please note, this is not meant to serve as a diagnostic tool, but may indicate if there is enough concern to warrant a professional opinion. 

These videos describes symptoms of Autism in men/assigned male at birth (AMAB).

Autism in Women and AFAB Individuals

Historically, autism has been underrecognized in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Early research and diagnostic criteria were based largely on boys and men, which led to many autistic women being overlooked, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed much later in life.

Compared to men and boys, many autistic women and AFAB individuals may:

• Show fewer obvious repetitive behaviors or restricted interests (Autism.org, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2017 International Meeting for Autism Research).

• Have stronger social motivation and capacity for connection, while still finding social interaction exhausting (Molecular Autism, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders).

• Internalize challenges, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders, rather than showing more externalizing behaviors (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders).

• Engage in masking or camouflaging to meet gender and social expectations (PMC, Wikipedia).

This masking and internalization often contribute to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis with conditions such as bipolar disorder, OCD, or personality disorders (Relational Psych, Tiimo).

Here’s a helpful article outlining myths and challenges for women/AFAB on the autism spectrum: Autism in Women and Girls (Autism.org.uk).

Strengths and Challenges

Despite barriers in recognition and diagnosis, autistic women and AFAB individuals bring many unique strengths, including creativity, deep focus, attention to detail, innovative problem-solving, and a strong sense of justice. A neurodiversity-affirming approach to assessment and support highlights both challenges and strengths, helping individuals embrace their authentic identity.

Many autistic women and AFAB individuals also navigate:

Common Challenges

• Social communication differences, including difficulty interpreting subtle cues

• Heightened sensory sensitivities

• Masking or camouflaging, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout

• Executive functioning challenges with organization, planning, and time management

• Barriers in education or employment due to misunderstanding or lack of accommodations

Common Strengths

• Strong attention to detail and capacity for deep focus

• Creativity and innovative problem-solving

• A strong sense of fairness and justice

• Unique perspectives that enrich workplaces, communities, and relationships

Moving Toward Recognition

Supporting autistic women requires an affirming approach that validates their lived experiences. This includes:

• Celebrating neurodiversity

• Providing sensory accommodations

• Offering education and advocacy

• Creating inclusive spaces that allow autistic individuals to thrive

As autistic advocate Kate shares, gender bias in diagnostic criteria often means women and girls present very differently than the stereotypical male profile. This discrepancy continues to affect when, how, and if they receive an accurate diagnosis.

This TED talk showcases a young woman bringing awareness to how symptom presentation in women and lack of clinical awareness, leads to autism to be misdiagnosed, misunderstood or missed altogether.

What is Masked Autism?

Masked autism—sometimes called camouflaged or hidden autism—describes the experience of autistic individuals who consciously or unconsciously adapt their behavior to fit into neurotypical expectations. Masking can involve mimicking social behaviors, suppressing natural responses (such as stimming), scripting conversations, or hiding sensory needs.

While masking may help an autistic person navigate certain social or professional situations, it often comes at a high cost. Many describe it as living in a state of constant performance—appearing “fine” on the outside while feeling exhausted, anxious, or disconnected inside. Over time, this effort can contribute to burnout, depression, or loss of self-identity.

Why Do Autistic People Mask?

Masking often develops as a survival strategy in response to external pressures, such as:

• Social expectations – feeling pressure to “fit in” or avoid bullying, rejection, or discrimination.

• Gender and cultural norms – women, AFAB individuals, and people in marginalized communities often report higher levels of masking due to additional societal expectations.

• Late or missed diagnosis – many autistic adults who were identified later in life learned to cope by masking their differences in order to be accepted.

• Work and school demands – environments that don’t accommodate sensory, communication, or executive functioning differences often push individuals to “blend in” rather than request support.

The Impact of Masking

Although masking can sometimes help with short-term social navigation, it often comes with significant challenges:

• Emotional cost – high levels of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion from sustaining the “performance.”

• Mental health concerns – increased risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and autistic burnout.

• Loss of authenticity – difficulty knowing “who I really am” outside of the masked identity.

• Delayed support – when masking is effective, struggles may be overlooked by professionals, educators, or employers, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.

Masking and Gender

Research shows that masking is especially common among autistic women and AFAB individuals. Traditional diagnostic criteria, developed largely from studying boys, often miss how autism presents in other genders. This has led to many women being underdiagnosed or diagnosed much later in life, after years of compensating through masking.

Moving Toward Authenticity

Unmasking is not about removing coping strategies, but about creating safe, supportive environments where autistic people do not feel they must hide who they are. This includes:

• Increasing autism awareness and acceptance in schools, workplaces, and communities.

• Providing accommodations that reduce the need for masking (e.g., sensory-friendly spaces, flexible communication styles, acceptance of stimming).

• Supporting self-discovery and self-acceptance through affirming evaluation, therapy, and community.

• Highlighting strengths, not just challenges, so autistic individuals can thrive as their authentic selves.

Learn More

At North Metro Psychological Services, we provide neurodiversity-affirming assessments for autism and ADHD that recognize the role of masking and validate lived experiences, not just test scores. If you or a loved one wonder whether masking may be part of your story, we invite you to contact us to learn more about evaluation and support options.