Getting a professional diagnosis

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If you live in the US and have no insurance, was it costly for you? I am considering getting a diagnosis but am not sure whether this involves multiple visits, or is it just one? Does it depend on the shrink?
I just read the thread by the German person who's been diagnosed today and he mentioned it lasted a few hours. No idea how it is like in the States, though. Any input appreciated.

I had my assessment done at my university, which uses a sliding scale depending on income. Being unemployed at the time, I paid $500 for my test. I think most private practitioners charge between $2,000-3,000, and whether they do it in one session or a few is dependent on the practitioner, or their institution. Mine was done in five separate sessions spanning about two months, but I know someone who had theirs done in one day, and got the results three weeks later, so you won't know what testing will be like until you find the person you want to be tested by. Good luck!

If you qualify with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation it's free and the test itself is done all in one day, it's about 8 hours. But you have to qualify. I just had it done with them. You have to fill out an application, meet with a counselor if you qualify, and then you have the test. Then about three weeks later you meet with the psychologist and your counselor and go over the results.

If you don't qualify with OVR, an adult diagnosis for ASD can up to, the latest I have heard is $3000.00 depending on who does it and sometimes it can be spread out over quite a bit of time. Depending on who does it, it can be the full comprehensive battery of tests that I had or it can be as little as just talking to someone and filling out some questionnaires according to some of the accounts I have read from some of you here.

Good luck with it and let us know what happens.

The University of Utah Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic price for Autism Diagnostic Testing is currently $1,000 to $1,400. Still too pricey for me, but they do accept applications for discounts to those in need.

If mine wasn't covered, it would have been about $2000. Luckily, my medicaid covered it.

I do not have insurance and so when I called the Autism Specialist (counseling center) about an hour from where I live, I told them of my income and they said they could put me on a sliding scale. I think it was like $80 per (1 hour) session, with three sessions total. So I ended up paying $240 total. I would recommend you look online or call up Autism centers near where you live to ask if they might have referrals for adult diagnoses. That's what I did. I ended up having to drive two hours total (there and back) three times. Honestly, whether it is multiple sessions or just one will depend on where you go. Obviously, I would ask before you go, so that you know what to expect. Make sure you gather as much information from your childhood as you can. That will be a huge part of your diagnosis. As for myself, I have my dcfs records from when I was "in the system" as a child, so those served as replacements for my parents (who could not be there).

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

Fortunately in Canada we have Universal Health Care - so cost of diagnosis is $0 unless you're in a rush and go to a private psychologist or psychiatrist for diagnosis (in which case your employer supplementary health coverage probably covers it fully anyhow - which is the route I took).

Otherwise you'll wait a while (in some parts of Canada quite a while) before they get you in for a diagnosis as it's not seen as an urgent or lifethreatening condition (as opposed to say: major depression, sociopathology, schizophrenia, etc.)

If you're in school or university the Ministry of Education psychologist / University health team will likely be the ones that make the diagnosis - again $0.

So, we're fortunate that we have a number of no cost / low cost avenues to get a formal diagnosis here in Canada.

Boy, I wish we had free health care here in the States...

Not free health care - just universal. Paid for out of our income taxes which are higher here than in the US. But you never have to worry about coverage, which is especially comforting when you're on a gurney and being wheeled thru that door that says "ER".

Bob and Doug actually take turns being Supreme Emperor of Canada (just kidding as well )

They're cool, very cool - especially in winter.

Ah, I see.

Still pretty good health care though - zero deductible and 100% coverage (except for prescription drugs and dental for which coverage varies). Also, doctors profits are regulated and hospitals are public, non-profit.

If you have an urgent or emergency health condition you will get the health care you need right now and it's pretty good (I can testify to that first hand).

If it's an annoying chronic condition (like a knee replacement) you're going to have to be patient and wait your turn.

If had some serious health issues over the years and in the US I know I'd easily been into the $100K plus range a couple of times. Here - $0 out-of-pocket, just keep paying your income taxes thank you.

Maybe I should move to Canada, then.