$4500 for an AS Diagnosis?!?!?

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Having scored plenty high on AS screening tests, I decided I want an official diagnosis. I guess I'm still trying to figure out my motivations, here, but that's somewhat beside the point now. I was just quoted $4500 for a comprehensive exam and diagnosis by a place called Y.A.I. (I don't even know what that stands for) in NYC. Even the "intake specialist" or whomever it was that I spoke to on the phone seemed embarrassed to tell me.

Did any of you pay anything remotely close to that for a diagnosis? I'm going to be honest with you: I don't have $4500. And, if I did, I can think of a hell of a lot of things to do with it that would be more fun than getting an Asperger's diagnosis. I could live on the Riviera for a few weeks this summer for that!! !

I have good medical insurance, generally speaking. But, what am I supposed to do -- call them up and ask for $4500 because I took an Internet quiz and I'm the curious type???

No. That sounds ridiculous. A psychiatrist should be able to diagnose you with it.

That seems pretty high. How did you find this place? I found a practice that bills my insurance directly and I just give them the co-pay. I was given a list of professionals by Autistic Services in my county.

In my area about $2000 seems the usual rate, and highest I was ever quoted was $3500. So, $4500 seems pretty high. After I got those quotes I did wonder if some of the psych professionals viewed an adult AS assessment as a luxury -- something for neurotic people who have (or are assumed to have) too much money. It didn't occur to me to mention financial/employment hardship at the time, as the numbers were so flabbergasting.

I've had neuropsych testing done (but not for an ASC assessment), which cost about $1200.

I've heard of some people managing a low-cost deal through Vocational Rehab, but I don't know the details of that.

The most expensive testing I've seen here, in Oz, is about $600 (which they often do at hospitals, rather than private practices), and that's a full cognitive and psychiatric evaluation (the whole lot in other words, not just ASDs).

My diagnosis would have cost at least that. My psychiatrist charges $200/session, but it took him somewhere between a year and almost 4 years to make his diagnosis- he spent a long time observing me.

My son's school spent around $2000 on the tests alone, and that wasn't counting the time of the professionals, who were all on school payroll, so I guess I'm not that shocked. But, that doesn't mean you can't check out other places and options, if getting a diagnosis is important to you. One thing to do is ask a lot of questions about what is included in that cost, and what tests they do. I think that all varies quite a bit. There is no one size fits all way to get a diagnosis, and maybe you don't need to have every potential piece of the pie included.

Still, it all begs the question of how important the diagnosis will be for you, what you want to accomplish by completing the process, and how much you are willing to spend in the way of time and money to pursue it. For some people, it is an important way to close out questions they've had all their lives, or to finally get disability benefits they need. For others, it's more like frosting on the cake, to have someone else validate a conclusion they've comfortably reached for themselves. And others, are quite happy making that decision about themselves and for themselves, without having anyone else get involved at all. We don't know what all the potential negative effects of getting it added to your medical history are, so that is a consideration, as well.

Living in The Netherlands, there is no cost to it. All is payed for by the insurance.
Except certain medicines.

And I just looked up your income tax rates

As far as I can tell (I'm not super clear on my motives, as I said) this is closest to how I'm feeling about it.


I have nowhere near that level of self-confidence. Wish I did, but I need external affirmation. Otherwise, it will always be a huge question mark.


A big one for me, actually. I'm reasonably comfortable with medical confidentiality (key word "reasonably"). It's insurance that really creeps me out. That's sort of why I don't even want to run this by my health insurance company. Save a couple thousand dollars now only to find out that no one will insure me at some point in the future

It's the same thing in Denmark.

They are pretty high, but it's better then paying wads of money as a individual. It keeps health care affordable over time and everyone can benifit from the services and thus reducing future costs. You have income scales, you pay more if you earn more.

Similiar Health Care system is being implemented in the USA atm.

wow, that alot of moneys. i'd only be willing, maybe with a 1.0 diamond accent custom made fire agate ring agree to pay that much. its going to take me two years, to make.

My diagnosis was free if i remember because i was at the mental hospital and they just did it there? I actually dont even know though.

thats about how much it was for my hernia surgury awile back. $4,000.

but i had medicaid, at the time so it coverd it.

There's that too, and yes, that's a good example of the cost being of a similar absurd amount. Standard psychics/psychos usually want to see you multiple times before they come to a conclusion, so that single $200 can add up.

Did you get any back by Medicare?

It's about as much for a diagnosis out here in Southern California at Semel Institute UCLA. The fee for an adult diagnosis is listed as $4400.

I never went for an official diagnosis because I can't afford $4400 or the usual hourly fees of a psychologist/psychiatrist. I don't have insurance.

Become a health tourist.

I was in hospital recently and nearly every other patient was speaking another language. Come to England and I bet you’ll get your diagnoses for free. Once your visor runs out let the immigration deport you back to the states.