Understanding Autism Testing in Toledo: What to Expect at The Mental Health Collaborative
When parents, caregivers, or individuals seek answers about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of the first questions is often: “What does autism testing involve?” At The Mental Health Collaborative, we understand how important clarity and compassion are throughout this process. That’s why we’ve designed our autism testing in Toledo to be both thorough and supportive, helping families and individuals gain the insights they need to move forward with confidence.
Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and delivered with care by a clinical autism specialist. Below, we’ll walk you through what autism testing looks like at The Mental Health Collaborative, who is eligible, and what families can expect from start to finish.
Our Approach
Autism testing at The Mental Health Collaborative is a multi-step process designed to capture the most accurate picture of the individual. Testing consists of at least four appointments:
Diagnostic Interview
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2 (ADOS-2)
Results Session
Each of these steps plays a vital role in gathering information, building rapport, and ensuring that every client’s unique history and abilities are taken into account.
The Diagnostic Interview
The process begins with a 60-minute diagnostic interview. This session gives your provider the opportunity to explore a range of areas, including:
Developmental history
Past and current social skills
School or work experiences
Family history
Behavioral patterns
Relationships
This is more than a checklist—it’s a chance for your provider to begin capturing the full picture of you or your child as an individual. The diagnostic interview also helps determine language capacity, which guides the choice of the most appropriate assessment module.
Equally important, this session helps build therapeutic rapport between the provider and client. A comfortable, supportive environment makes the testing process smoother and more accurate.
The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
The ADI-R is a standardized, semi-structured interview administered with parents, caregivers, or individuals to gather information about:
Developmental milestones
Social interactions
Communication skills
Repetitive behaviors
This interview typically lasts about 90 minutes. For children, a parent or caregiver familiar with the child’s developmental history must be present. If the individual being tested is a minor, they do not need to attend this specific appointment.
The ADI-R provides valuable data in the form of scores, which support other assessment results. By combining these insights with the ADOS-2, your provider can form a more complete and accurate understanding of the individual’s development.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2 (ADOS-2)
The ADOS-2 is one of the most widely used and trusted tools for assessing autism spectrum disorder in children, adolescents, and adults. This assessment uses structured play and conversation activities to gather information about:
Communication skills
Social interaction
Play skills
Repetitive or restrictive behaviors
Depending on the individual, ADOS-2 sessions last between 30 and 90 minutes. It’s important to note that the ADOS-2 is not a standalone diagnostic tool—it must be considered alongside interviews, observations, and rating scales to provide an accurate diagnosis.
In essence, the ADOS-2 provides a snapshot of strengths and challenges, offering valuable insights without reducing the individual to a single score or label.
The Results Session
The final step in autism testing at The Mental Health Collaborative is the results session, a 60-minute meeting that can take place either in person or via telehealth. During this session, your provider will:
Review all assessment results in a written report
Explain whether or not criteria for ASD are met
Provide clarity on why a diagnosis was or wasn’t given
Offer recommendations for next steps and community resources
If an ASD diagnosis is appropriate, your provider will discuss treatment options, school supports, or therapeutic interventions that may be beneficial. If the criteria are not met, your provider will explore alternative explanations for the challenges being experienced and provide resources accordingly.
Who is Eligible for Autism Testing?
At The Mental Health Collaborative, autism testing is available for individuals who meet the following criteria:
At least 5 years of age (60 months)
Able to walk independently
If you have questions about these requirements, we encourage you to reach out to our office for more information.
Meet Our Autism Specialist: Dr. Mihkaya Best, PhD, LPCC
Dr. Mihkaya Best, PhD, LPCC
Autism testing in Toledo at The Mental Health Collaborative is provided by Mihkaya Best, PhD, LPCC, a clinical autism specialist with advanced training in both the ADI-R and ADOS-2 assessments.
Dr. Best is passionate about working with children aged five and older, as well as supporting families navigating autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and other behavioral concerns. Her therapeutic approach is person-centered and integrative, drawing on modalities such as:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Play Therapy
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Her goal is to ensure that each client receives not only an accurate assessment but also the compassionate support needed to thrive.
Cost of Autism Testing
We believe that high-quality, evidence-based testing should be accessible and transparent. Here’s a breakdown of costs:
Materials Fee: $650
This covers the standardized testing materials, scoring software, protocols, and other necessary supplies. These tools are essential for ensuring accurate and professional evaluations. Please note that this fee is not reimbursable by insurance and must be paid out-of-pocket.Self-Pay Rate: $2,000 (includes the materials fee)
Accepted insurances for autism testing at The Mental Health Collaborative include:
Paramount, Medical Mutual, Front Path, Zepf, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Sidecar.
Why Choose The Mental Health Collaborative for Autism Testing in Toledo?
Choosing where to complete autism testing is an important decision for families and individuals. At The Mental Health Collaborative, we stand out because of our:
Comprehensive approach: We don’t rely on a single tool; instead, we combine multiple assessments to ensure accuracy.
Specialized expertise: Testing is led by a clinical autism specialist trained in gold-standard tools like the ADI-R and ADOS-2.
Compassionate care: We understand that testing can be overwhelming, and we strive to create a supportive environment throughout the process.
Actionable results: Families walk away with not just a diagnosis (if appropriate) but also resources and recommendations for moving forward.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been considering autism testing in Toledo for yourself or your child, The Mental Health Collaborative is here to help. Our evidence-based, person-centered approach ensures that you’ll receive the clarity, understanding, and support you need.
To learn more about our autism testing process, eligibility requirements, or scheduling, please contact our office today.
At The Mental Health Collaborative, we believe every individual deserves to be understood and supported—and that begins with an accurate diagnosis and a compassionate team by your side.