Assessing autism in adults

Recognizing autism in adults is crucial for understanding the unique challenges they may face in areas such as employment, social interactions, and daily living. Many adults may have gone undiagnosed during childhood, leading to unmet needs and difficulties in navigating various aspects of life. A thorough autism assessment in adulthood can provide clarity on cognitive, social, and behavioral patterns, enabling tailored support and intervention strategies. 

Assessing autism in adults helps improve self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and foster better coping mechanisms, ultimately enhancing quality of life. With the right assessments, adults with autism can receive the tools and resources necessary for greater independence, successful relationships, and fulfillment in both personal and professional spheres.

Autism Assessment Tools & Resources

Leading assessments for kindergarten readiness

GARS-3

Helps identify the probability and severity of autism disorder in children and young adults up to 22 years old.

Learn more about GARS-3

Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile

Digital administration available 

Helps understand sensory processing patterns and impact on functional performance 

  • Remote on-screen administration available 

Learn more about Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile 

Vineland™ 3

Digital administration available 

Provides data that supports the diagnosis and treatment of intellectual and developmental disabilities 

  • Available in Spanish 

  • Remote on-screen administration available  

Learn more about Vineland-3  

BASC™-3

Digital administration available 

Comprehensive set of rating scales and forms to help interpret behaviors and emotions of youth 

  • Available in Spanish 

  • Remote on-screen administration available  

Learn more about BASC-3

PPVT™-5

Digital administration available

Measures receptive vocabulary based on words in Standard American English.  

  • Remote on-screen administration available

  • PPVT-5 Spain- coming soon!

Learn more about PPVT-5

EVT™-3

Expressive vocabulary and word retrieval based on words in Standard American English.

  • EVT-3 Spain- coming soon!

Learn more about EVT-3

Additional offerings:

*Available in Spanish

Spotlight resources

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Deciphering dual diagnosis

Discover practical strategies for supporting individuals with ASD and ADHD.

Get the guide (PDF)

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Understanding the connection

Creating inclusive, supportive learning environments for individuals with ASD & ADHD.

Explore (PDF)

Podcasts

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Episode 1

Beyond the ABCs: How to integrate social-emotional learning into early childhood education

We’re joined by Deb Grill, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Pearson assessment consultant. Together, we’ll discuss the difference between SEL and social skills development, why SEL is sometimes controversial, key developmental milestones, caregiver communication strategies, and the importance of educator wellness.

Listen to the podcast

Father and son blowing bubbles together.

Episode 2

Say it with me: How to help children with speech and language delays

We’re joined by Patricia Ybarra, a certified speech-language pathologist and Pearson research director. Together, we’ll discuss speech and language milestones, educator and caregiver roles in supporting children with delays, how to talk with caregivers about delays, and complementary activities and resources for families.

Listen to the podcast

Mother and young daughter playing with block on the floor.

Episode 3

Ready, set, go! How educators and caregivers can improve kindergarten readiness

We’re joined by Selina Oliver, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Pearson assessment consultant. Together, we’ll discuss how educators can converse and collaborate with caregivers, the pros and cons of starting kindergarten at a later age, and the impact of early childhood education funding and national trends.

Listen to the podcast

Blogs

Mother and young daughters playing at the kitchen table.

The ABCs of assessments

Assessments can help distinguish individuality or preferences from potential issues that might require intervention.

Read the blog

Father and son drawing on the floor.

Ready, Set, Go!

Kindergarten readiness comprises many different skills. Read how educators and caregivers can work together to close the gap.

Read the blog

Mother reading to her daughter.

Say it with me

Discussing a developmental delay can be a sensitive conversation, so it's important that educators connect with families in a way that considers the caregivers' needs.

Read the blog

Two young girls painting pictures.

Beyond the ABCs

We’ve heard a lot over the past few years about the ongoing mental health crises affecting students and young people. Read on for what educators and caregivers can do.

Read the blog

Webinar recordings

Detecting Autism amongst the ever-broadening spectrum

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is currently 1 in 36 school-age children in the United States. Yet, the breadth of the spectrum is so broad and heterogeneous that it becomes perplexing as to how some individuals who are profoundly affected can carry the same diagnostic label as those with more subtle symptom expression.

Watch the recording

Understanding age-related changes in motor performance in children and adolescents on the autism spectrum

In this webinar, Dr. Travers will present the findings of her recent research examining age-related changes in BOT-2 performance in autistic and non-autistic children (ages 6–17 years). Diagnostic group differences and subgroup differences (autism with and without co-occurring ADHD) in motor profiles will also be examined. 

Watch the recording

More previously recorded webinars

Related topics

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Occupational Therapy

Explore more

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ADHD

Explore more

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Mental Health & Behavior

Explore more

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University DALS

Explore more

Let’s keep the conversation going!

We are here to help you in any way we can as you identify and support the needs of those on the autism spectrum. Sign up for the latest updates on Pearson’s Autism tools. Have a question? Complete the “Contact a Rep” form and we will be in touch! 

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