Liliana Valvano, LMSW, provides comprehensive clinical assessments to diagnose autism in those 16+, especially adults who may have been missed for diagnosis in childhood (including women, BIPOC, & LGBTQIA+ people). Assessments consider the whole person and include a feedback session to discuss strengths, weaknesses, and ways to create a more neurodivergent-friendly life.
Liliana’s evaluations utilize standard assessment metrics (including ADOS-2, RAADS-R, AQ), diagnostic interviewing, and collateral collection from the patient’s family and clinician. She conducts her assessments through a neurodiversity lens, understanding autism as an unique part of a person’s selfhood which can be celebrated and embraced.
Autism assessments and follow-up appointments are conducted in person at Union Square Practice offices in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.
The testing portion of the evaluation involves standardized measures and questionnaires that assess for a number of components of autism as well as commonly co-occurring diagnoses. Following this, there is a 90-minute break before moving on to the next part of the evaluation.
In this portion, Liliana will get to know the patient’s history and ask the patient a number of questions to better understand their experience as it relates to autism, neurodivergence, and mental health. This is a collaborative process where the patient is welcome to share what led them to pursue assessment. The interview is essential, as standardized assessments cannot paint a full picture of a unique individual. Liliana understands that autism can present differently depending on gender, culture, and upbringing, and is sensitive to how social masking can make autism less apparent in those socialized to conform. She is especially experienced working with women and LGBTQIA+ people.
Following the primary meeting with the patient, Liliana will speak with a close loved one. Ideally this is a family member who has seen the patient through childhood, but it can also be a partner or close friend. She will also speak with the patient’s existing therapist, if applicable.
This part of the process does not involve the patient. Following testing, Liliana will spend several hours of indirect time reviewing records, scoring tests, interpreting test results, and composing a comprehensive report of her findings.
Liliana will schedule a follow-up appointment with the individual within a month of the assessment to review findings and discuss recommendations. Recommendations may entail referrals to other specialists (therapists, psychiatrists, executive function coaches), community-building resources, support services, and other avenues for building a neurodivergent-friendly life.
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