neurocognitive assessment.
We're pleased to announce that Cato Psychiatry now offers comprehensive neurocognitive assessments, this includes assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. These evaluations give a clear, objective picture of how your brain is functioning, including memory, attention, processing speed, language, and executive function, so you and your care team can make informed decisions.
What to Expect From Neurocognitive & Autism Testing
Comprehensive Scope: Testing evaluates core cognitive domains—including memory, executive function, processing speed, and attention—alongside autism-specific areas such as social cognition, communication patterns, sensory processing, and adaptive behavior.
Gold-Standard Assessment Tools: Evaluations utilize evidence-based tools (such as the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and standardized IQ/executive function batteries) combined with clinical interviews and behavioral rating scales.
Flexible Evaluation Timeframe: Testing duration varies based on individual needs, goals, and evaluation complexity—taking an average of about 6 hours, though some evaluations may require additional time split across multiple sessions.
Strengths-Based Profile: Rather than focusing solely on deficits, the assessment maps out your unique "spiky" cognitive profile, highlighting your natural strengths, processing style, and learning preferences.
Differential Diagnosis: Helps clarify co-occurring conditions by distinguishing or identifying overlaps between Autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and other neurodivergent traits.
Actionable Next Steps: Every evaluation concludes with a detailed written report providing diagnostic clarity along with personalized recommendations for workplace or school accommodations, therapy, and daily coping strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A structured evaluation, conducted by a licensed clinician, that uses standardized tests and clinical interviews to measure thinking skills and compare them with expected performance for your age and background.
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In addition to standard cognitive areas (like memory, general IQ, and spatial reasoning), an evaluation for autism specifically looks at:
Social Cognition & Perception: Assessing how a person reads facial expressions, interprets tone of voice, understands body language, and processes social cues or intent.
Executive Functioning (In-Depth): Evaluating cognitive flexibility (switching between tasks/rules), working memory, and inhibition. Autistic individuals often have strong detailed focus ("local processing") but may struggle with rapid task shifts or open-ended planning.
Pragmatic Language: Testing non-literal language comprehension, such as understanding sarcasm, idioms, figures of speech, and conversational flow.
Sensory Processing: Measuring hyper- or hypo-reactivity to lights, sounds, textures, or movement.
Adaptive Behavior: Assessing daily living skills, self-advocacy, personal independence, and practical navigation of work, school, or community settings.
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Differential Diagnosis: Helps distinguish autism from conditions with overlapping traits, such as ADHD, social anxiety, OCD, or trauma.
Identifying "Spiky" Cognitive Profiles: Autistic individuals often show marked differences between higher-level skills (e.g., exceptional verbal reasoning or pattern recognition) and lower-level skills (e.g., processing speed or executive regulation). Standard tests highlight these differences so support is targeted where it is actually needed.
Securing Accommodations: Detailed report data supports applications for workplace adjustments, IEPs/504 plans in schools, or extra time on standardized academic exams.
Self-Understanding & Strategy: Helps clarify with clear explanations of how your brain processes the world, offering actionable guidance for fatigue, sensory overwhelm, and communication strategies.
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Neurocognitive assessments vary depending on individual needs and complexity—taking an average of about 6 hours, though some evaluations may require additional time.
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We do not bill insurance directly. Assessments are private pay, but we can supply an itemized statement with the services provided, time spent, and CPT codes for you to submit to your insurer. Reimbursement depends on your plan, so we recommend checking your out-of-network benefits beforehand.
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Neurocognitive assessments are private pay only and start at $2,500. The total depends on the assessment time and testing involved, and may be higher for legal evaluations, additional assessment, or reports prepared for school accommodations.
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Payment is divided into two installments:
First payment: due after your first appointment
Second payment: due before your final appointment, when your report is reviewed and delivered
No-Show Policy: Because assessments require dedicated clinician time, a missed appointment without 24 hours notice for any part of the assessment will result in forfeiture of further scheduling and no refund of fees paid