What Should I Expect from the Diagnosis Evaluation Process as an Adult?
A diagnostic evaluation takes several hours, with some evaluators spending 6 hours or more
directly gathering information and doing testing. The process may occur across several
appointments.
What to expect?

1. Share your History:
   ● What you were like at different phases (infant, preschool, elementary school etc.)
   ● Were there any delays (e.g. speech delay) or concerns; if so, when?
   ● Is there a history of services or supports (e.g., Early Intervention, Special
   Education, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy, counseling?)
   ● School records, medical records and/or another person who knows your history are
   all helpful in getting this information in addition to what you can provide
2. Interview: Share information about yourself:
   ● What is going well?
   ● What is challenging?
   ● What would you like to be different?
   ● Answer questions about interests, sensory experiences and social life
3. Cognitive testing helps provide information about problem-solving, processing
   speed and attention as well as other skills like verbal skills. A pattern of strengths
   and weaknesses may emerge which can be helpful in shaping accommodation and
   treatment requests. There are a variety of different cognitive assessment tests that
   might be used.
4. Adaptive skills testing provides information about how someone is managing
   everyday life. Since some people already have family or others who help them get
   through the day, it would be very helpful for them to participate in the assessment.
   This evaluation piece assesses how much additional support is needed.
5. Feedback (may be the same or a separate appointment):
   ● Learn results of testing
   ● FInd out the evaluator’s diagnosis
   ● Get recommendations if any other counseling or supports would be helpful or
   needed

Friends and Family Input:
You may choose to have a friend or family member participate in your evaluation. It is
optional and you don’t have to have an additional person participate but it adds to the
information available to the evaluator
Their participation will vary depending on the evaluator. Possibilities include:
● may participate in an interview with you (the person being evaluated)
● may participate in an interview separately
● may fill out assessment forms separately

Releases of Information: You may be asked to sign Releases of Information for the evaluator
to obtain more information about you. Typical releases are for educational records, medical
records, records of previous evaluations, or to talk to people that you would like the evaluator
to speak with.

As with all medical procedures, patient rights and confidentiality laws apply (HIPAA). You
have the right to participate in the evaluation, as well as the right to refuse. You have the right
to review the report for factual errors and ask for corrections. You can direct the provider to
release the report. You have the right to ask the provider for how long it will take to receive a
copy of your evaluation report.

Please be aware that if you get an evaluation through Developmental Disabilities or
Vocational Rehabilitation that your report may not be immediately available to you. Instead,
you will have to request the report. The applicant (or guardian if applicable) can contact their
eligibility specialist to make the request. There is a document titled “Request for Own
Information” that the agency has the individual sign to request a copy of the report.