Social appropriateness regarding ADOS test

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I had my ADOS test the 23rd of December. I was told it would take a few weeks to get the results.

After hearing nothing back in January, I called and left a message on January the 6th. The person who evaluated me communicated with me via e-mail on the same day. He explained he will start working on my results "next week", and will call me when finished to schedule a follow up session to explain the results.

I got a bit worried because I've heard absolutely nothing from him since then. I called him yesterday and left a message. Before I called him, I also tried to call the receptionist twice. No one picked up.

Today, there is no e-mail or returned call. I tried calling the receptionist again, and no one picked up.

What is the appropriate thing to do? Just keep waiting? I have experienced doctors forgetting to give me results/follow-up before. He is not a doctor. This is a non-profit. My husband said I shouldn't try to call at all (2 weeks after the test), but even he is urging me to try and see how everything is going with the results since it's been over a month now.




Also, when I first looked on their website, they said they offer a sliding-scale fee for people who can't afford the therapy sessions. The therapy sessions would (from what I've gathered) also help teach social skills. I'm definitely below the poverty level. However, when asked about the fees, he said it would be between $100-$150 per session. He said he can't really go any lower than that. Well, OK, but their website specifically says sliding-scale fee. The ADOS test itself was $500, despite saying they try and help low income people. I'm not sure how I should mention this in the future without appearing aggressive. I commonly question people, and I know I can appear that way. Should it even matter, since he's experienced with people on the spectrum?

Is this in the states? If so I thought only a Psychologist / Psychiatrist that specialists in autism could give a diagnosis. How could someone that isn't a doctor or licensed clinical psychologist give out results or a diagnosis? By no means count anything I say as correct or the truth but from what you say I feel like you have been scammed. If you live in the states your best bet is to contact your state autism organization (google easily finds the results) and ask them for a referral to a licensed specialist. I wish you the best of luck in this because if you were scammed I feel mad towards the people who scammed you.

Is this person a clinical psychologist/autism specialist? What is the nonprofit for?

Can you go to the place and make an appointment with the person?

The whole situation does sound scammy, but perhaps the person hasn't had time to watch/code/score the ados video and write up the results yet.

He's a licensed and board certified behavioral analyst, and also a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Honestly, the way the ADOS test was preformed seemed very consistent with descriptions other people gave. He was also very professional. From what I gather, he has been the clinical director of this non-profit for about 7 years.

Unfortunately, it was very overwhelming for me to try and find a psychologist. The rates were going to be in the thousands. Also, it was very confusing on who was experienced with high functioning adult females.

The guy sounds useless. Put in a complaint to a health care state service thing or something.

Here in the UK, you'd just complain to the higher ups in the city in charge of health care and such, to put it in a nut shell.

From our talk, he does indeed work primarily with the special needs population, specifically Autism.

The non-profit is just for autism. They offer therapies and evaluations at far less than other places. They also try and get resources for the most needy people, as treatments can be expensive.

He did video tape the whole session. The atmosphere was relaxed, but still professional and clean. The building was kind of shoddy, but it was an office building. I don't hold that against someone, because it's in Los Angeles, and rents are CRAZY expensive for offices.

The whole place had a locked gate, though. It was secure.

My evaluator does seem to possibly have ADHD, and when empathizing with me, he said he himself also worries about talking too much and so on. Because they are a non-profit, they also seem a bit busy. He did indeed have a receptionist. The only thing I didn't like when I first called there is the receptionist said I sound like I'm doing good (in life). I guess she assumed since I was able to schedule an appointment by myself, that means everything is A-OK. Well, my evaluator did not make assumptions like that, so I decided that's fine. It just seems a bit odd that anyone used to people on the spectrum would ever say something like that. Although, it's entirely possible I misunderstood.

What is the name of the nonprofit? Maybe they are just super busy and haven't gotten around to processing your test yet.

I hope not. Oh god, I hope I didn't get scammed.

The main reason I'm worried is I want to see if I'm on the spectrum or not SOON, as I want to apply for disability services through my college for fall. You have to do it very early in the year. He also recommended a Psychiatrist for me to see, as I also am Bipolar. He used the phrase "Autism friendly psychiatrists", as in they "get" how autistic people communicate. I'm hoping maybe that will prevent a psychiatrist from making assumptions about me and not listening. However, I need proof of something soon. I don't have a proof of my Bipolar and other stuff from within the last year, which is what is required by my school.

This is the non-profit. I'm hoping putting it in a link will prevent people from seeing this conversation if they google it. I'm weird like that.

The website seems fine. It seems like they are doing a lot of things. I just called them and pressed 1 for referral something, but the phone rang many times and no one answered. I think that you should go in person and make appointment with the director to get your results.

Thank you for easing my anxiety a bit! Yes, I indeed didn't feel scammed at the time, but you never know.

The director got back to me very fast the last time. Maybe I'll wait until Monday before I go. From what I know, they do a LOT of different types of groups, therapies, and other interactions (like outings).