Autism Testing for Children, Teens, and Adults in Coral Springs, Florida & Virtually in more than 40 States

Autism testing helps uncover how a person’s brain experiences the world—how they process sensory input, emotions, communication, and relationships. Whether you’re concerned about your child’s development, social struggles, or your own lifelong challenges, a comprehensive autism evaluation can bring clarity, validation, and a path forward that actually fits who you are.

What is Autism and How Does it Affect the Nervous System?

Autism (also called Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental difference in how the brain processes sensory information, emotions, communication, and social interaction.

It is not a disease or something to be “fixed.” It is a different way of experiencing the world.

Autistic brains often:

  • Process sensory input more intensely

  • Think deeply and differently

  • Experience emotions more strongly

  • Have unique communication and social styles

  • Need more time or support to regulate and adapt

Autism exists on a spectrum, which means it looks different in every person.

Signs of Autism in Children and Teenagers

Autism can show up in many ways, and not all children fit the stereotypes people imagine.

Some common signs include:

  • Sensory sensitivities (noise, clothing, lights, textures, food)

  • Big emotional reactions, shutdowns, or meltdowns

  • Difficulty with changes or transitions

  • Strong need for routines

  • Trouble with social interaction or peer relationships

  • Deep, focused interests

  • Feeling misunderstood or overwhelmed

  • Masking or holding it together at school and melting down at home

Many autistic children are bright, creative, and deeply empathetic, but their nervous systems are easily overloaded. And many autistic children also exhibit characteristics of other types of neurodivergence, making an accurate diagnosis essential to provide proper supports.

Signs of Autism in Adults

Many autistic adults grow up undiagnosed, especially women and those who mask.

In adults, autism may look like:

  • Chronic exhaustion or burnout

  • Feeling different or out of place

  • Social anxiety or confusion

  • Sensory overload

  • Difficulty with change or unpredictability

  • Strong need for alone time

  • Emotional intensity

  • Struggles with relationships or work environments

Many adults finally seek testing after realizing their lifelong challenges finally make sense.

Why Autism is Often Missed or Misdiagnosed

Autism is often missed or misdiagnosed because it doesn’t look the same in every person, and many people don’t fit the outdated stereotypes of what autism is “supposed” to look like.

Many autistic children and adults are:

  • Highly verbal

  • Intelligent and creative

  • Empathetic and emotionally aware

  • Able to follow rules and behave well

  • Skilled at masking or copying social behavior

Because of this, their struggles are often mistaken for:

  • Anxiety

  • ADHD

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Oppositional behavior

  • Shyness or introversion

In children, autism may not be recognized because they work very hard to hold it together at school, then fall apart at home. In adults, especially women/AFAB and those socialized to please others, years of masking can hide autistic traits so well that even they don’t realize what’s happening.

Autism is also frequently overlooked when:

  • Sensory sensitivities are mistaken for behavioral issues

  • Emotional meltdowns are labeled as defiance

  • Social exhaustion is labeled as anxiety

  • Shutdowns are labeled as depression

Without a comprehensive evaluation, these surface behaviors are treated while the underlying autistic nervous system is missed.

Autism testing looks at the whole picture: sensory processing, emotional regulation, social communication, thinking patterns, and lived experience. This allows individuals and families to finally understand why things have always felt harder and what supports will truly help.

What are Some Easy Strategies to Implement that Can Help with Autistic Challenges?

While understanding your neurotype is key, some simple supports can help immediately:

  • Reducing sensory overload

  • Creating predictable routines

  • Using visual schedules

  • Allowing more time for transitions

  • Taking breaks from social or sensory demands

  • Providing emotional validation and safety

  • Adapting environments instead of forcing compliance

These strategies are far more effective when they are tailored to the person’s unique autistic profile.

Do I or My Child Need Autism Testing?

You or your child may benefit from autism testing if:

  • Life feels harder than it should

  • Social or emotional struggles don’t have a clear explanation

  • You or your child feel misunderstood

  • Meltdowns, shutdowns, or overwhelm are common

  • Traditional parenting, school, or therapy approaches don’t work

  • You wonder if autism, ADHD, anxiety, or trauma could be involved

Testing isn’t about putting someone in a box. It’s about finally understanding their nervous system.

Why a Comprehensive Autism Evaluation Matters

Autism testing provides:

  • Clarity about how the brain works

  • Validation that the struggles are real

  • A framework for understanding behavior

  • Guidance for school, work, and therapy supports

  • Reduced self-blame and shame

  • A path toward environments that actually fit

It allows families and individuals to stop asking “What’s wrong?” and start asking “What does this brain need?”

Can a Pediatrician or Doctor Diagnose Autism?

Medical doctors and pediatricians play an important role in health care. However, autism is complex and often missed or misunderstood in brief medical visits.

Most medical diagnoses are based on:

  • Short questionnaires

  • Parent or self-report

  • Brief observations

This approach often misses:

  • Subtle autism

  • Masking

  • Sensory processing differences

  • Emotional regulation challenges

  • Overlap with ADHD, anxiety, or trauma

A comprehensive psychological autism evaluation looks deeper at:

  • Sensory processing

  • Emotional and social functioning

  • Cognitive and communication patterns

  • Coping and regulation

  • Real-world functioning

This helps answer not just “Is this autism?” but
“How does this brain work, and what supports will help it thrive?”

That level of understanding changes lives.

Autism Testing in Coral Springs and South Florida

If you are wondering whether autism testing could help you or your child, the best next step is to speak with a professional who specializes in neurodivergent assessments.

At Gold Psych Services, Dr. Lauren provide comprehensive autism evaluations for children, teens, and adults in South Florida. Evaluations are designed to understand the whole person, not just symptoms, and are available in-office in Coral Springs, Florida, easily accessible to those in Broward County and Palm Beach County.

Virtual Autism Testing

For those who live outside the South Florida area but are seeking a thorough, neurodiversity-affirming assessment, Dr. Lauren provides virtual autism evaluations to those in eligible states.

Virtual autism testing is available right from the comfort of your own home. Dr. Lauren will connect with you via telehealth and offers day, evening, and weekend appointments to accommodate your busy life.

Schedule an Autism Evaluation

Contact Dr. Lauren today to schedule a consultation and learn what next steps make sense for your family.

Contact Dr. Lauren
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