Autism Evaluation for Adults in St. Charles, IL
Many adults reach a point where something clicks. Maybe it's reading about autism, watching a child or relative go through an evaluation, or realizing how much effort it takes to "fit in." Wanting to understand yourself better is a good and healthy reason to seek an evaluation. At Hesed Psychological Services we provide autism evaluations for adults in a respectful, unhurried setting. Our office is in St. Charles, and we serve adults from Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville and throughout Kane and DuPage Counties.
Why adults seek an autism evaluation
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects social communication and includes repetitive patterns of behavior, strong interests or sensory differences. Many adults, especially women and people who learned to "mask" or camouflage their differences, aren't identified in childhood. An adult evaluation can help you:
Understand lifelong patterns in relationships, work and sensory experiences
Find out whether autism explains them, rule it out, or identify related concerns like ADHD, anxiety or depression
Identify your cognitive strengths, not only your challenges
Get practical recommendations for work, school, relationships and self-advocacy, including documentation that can support requests for accommodations
Our evaluations respect neurodiversity. The goal isn't to label you. It's to help you understand yourself clearly and live well as yourself. Read more about common signs of autism.
What to expect: three meetings, finished within 6–8 weeks
Intake (about 1 hour, in person or by video). We talk about why you're seeking an evaluation and your developmental history. If a parent, sibling or partner can share what you were like as a child, that's often helpful, but it isn't required.
Testing (3–8 hours, in person at our St. Charles office). You'll complete standardized measures of social communication, thinking and processing, along with questionnaires about daily life and mood. We take breaks and can adjust the setting for sensory comfort as much as possible.
Feedback (about 1 hour, in person or by video). We explain the results in plain language, answer your questions and suggest next steps.
The whole process is finished within 6–8 weeks of your first contact. If therapy would help afterward, our counseling team is under the same roof.
The testing program is led by Dr. Benjamin Pyykkonen, PhD, a fellowship-trained clinical neuropsychologist whose research has included autism spectrum disorder. Learn more about our clinicians.
Questions adults ask about autism testing
Can adults be evaluated for autism?
Yes. Hesed Psychological Services evaluates autism in adults as well as in children age 6 and older. Many people are first evaluated as adults, often after years of masking or being described as "shy" or "quirky."
Where can I get an adult autism evaluation near Wheaton, Naperville or West Chicago?
Hesed Psychological Services provides adult autism evaluations at 2580 Foxfield Road, Suite 201, St. Charles, IL 60174, a short drive from Wheaton, West Chicago and Naperville.
What happens during an adult autism evaluation?
There are three meetings: a 1-hour intake about your history and concerns, a 3–8 hour in-person testing session and a 1-hour feedback session to go over the results.
Do I need a parent to come for an adult autism evaluation?
No. Information from someone who knew you as a child can be helpful, but it isn't required. We can work with whatever history you're able to share.
What if I mask or have learned to hide my traits?
That's common, especially for women. A thorough evaluation looks at your developmental history, your inner experience and standardized measures, not only how you come across in the room.
Does insurance cover adult autism testing?
Hesed is in-network for testing with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Aetna, Cigna and Medicare. Coverage and prior-authorization rules depend on your plan, so call (331) 707-4031, ext. 8, and we'll help you check.
Do I need a referral for an autism evaluation?
Hesed doesn't require a referral to schedule testing. Some insurance plans need one before they'll cover it, so check with your plan.
If you've been wondering for a long time, you deserve a thoughtful answer. Fill out the Request an Appointment form below, or call (331) 707-4031, ext. 8, to ask about an adult autism evaluation. All of our clinicians are currently accepting new clients.
Request an Appointment
Submit the inquiry form below to connect with our office manager (Joanna Wagoner) to set up a meeting for therapy or assessment.
