Behavioral and Mental Health
Discover how Main Line Health helps those who struggle with mental illness and substance use live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is ASD?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that typically begins in early childhood and lasts throughout life. It affects how a person communicates, interacts with others and behaves. ASD is known as a “spectrum” disorder because it includes a wide range of symptoms and challenges and includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders.
The causes of ASD are currently unknown. ASD is often thought of as a condition diagnosed in childhood, but some people aren’t diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood.
Symptoms of ASD
Autism spectrum disorder symptoms vary by person. Some common signs of ASD may be:
- Finding it hard to make eye contact
- Struggling to engage in and carry on conversations
- Having trouble understanding other people's feelings
- Repeating actions or words
- Sticking to routines
- Enjoying very limited/restricted interests or activities
ASD assessments at Main Line Health
We offer a targeted assessment for adults (18 years and older) to determine whether you meet diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Adults who show signs of autism but are not formally diagnosed may find parts of life difficult. You may:
- Struggle to build meaningful relationships
- Experience challenges maintaining satisfying careers
- Feel alienated or misunderstood without knowing why
Receiving a diagnosis can often provide a sense of relief and understanding by:
- Offering answers to lifelong questions
- Validating past experiences
- Opening access to resources and services that require a medical diagnosis
- Providing a framework for self-awareness and growth
For many, this process affirms long-held self-understanding and offers a foundation for building the future.
What to expect from an ASD assessment
Eligible patients will participate in two psychotherapy appointments with a psychologist:
- First appointment: 1 hour
- Second appointment: 2 hours
During these sessions, clinicians use:
- Structured interviews
- Self-report and collateral-report questionnaires
- Clinician observation
Following the assessment, patients are invited to attend a feedback session to review results and recommendations.
Diagnoses required to apply for resources and services
If you need a medical diagnosis of ASD to apply for community-based services or Medicaid waivers, we can add extra tests to our evaluation.
- These tests may include measure of intellectual and adaptive functioning.
- These additions provide required documentation to support your service or waiver application.
- As a result, these extra tests will add time and cost to your ASD evaluation.
Restrictions of our ASD assessments
Our goal is to improve the overall mental health and well-being of each patient we serve. As such, we have the following restrictions for our ASD assessments:
- ASD assessments are available for people aged 18 years and older.
- Assessments are not covered by insurance and are offered as a self-pay service.