Neurodiversity-Affirming Assessment
A deep, affirming journey of learning and discovery — for neurodivergent and neurospicy kids, teens, and adults.
Collaborative and Insightful Testing for ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence
At Tide Pools, we believe neurodiversity is a natural expression of human variation — not a disorder to be “fixed.”
Our psychological assessments are holistic, collaborative, and affirming. We look beyond checklists to understand the whole person: sensory experience, executive functioning, cognition, learning style, emotional life, relationships, and identity.
Whether you're a parent seeking an ADHD evaluation for your child, an adult exploring autism or ADHD, or someone wondering if accommodations might support you at school or work — our team provides rigorous, neurodiversity-affirming assessments tailored to your needs.
What We Assess:
Our team provides neurodiversity assessment for a range of experiences including:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — including late-diagnosed or self-identified adults
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — across genders and developmental stages
Learning Differences — such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other academic challenges
Giftedness & Twice-Exceptionality (2e) — exploring high ability alongside ADHD, autism, or learning differences
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — especially when symptoms overlap with neurodivergence
Prodromal Psychosis / Early Psychotic Processes — nuanced assessments that differentiate between neurodivergence, trauma, and emerging psychosis
What Makes us Different
We offer psychological assessment as a process of insight, affirmation, and emotional depth — not just diagnosis.
More Than a Diagnosis
Our assessments gather meaningful insights about the whole person — not just what can be captured by a diagnostic label. While typical evaluations may focus narrowly on neurocognitive differences like sensory processing or executive functioning, we attend equally to the inner world: imagination, affect, self-concept, and meaning-making. Our goal is to help you see and appreciate your full complexity — not to reduce you to a score or checklist.
Emotional and Relational Depth
We bring expertise in psychodynamic and relational models of the mind to the assessment process. Using specialized tools and clinical interviews, we explore how you make sense of your emotions, how you relate to others, and what unconscious patterns may shape your experience. This emotional and interpersonal depth is often overlooked in traditional assessments — but we believe it’s essential for real understanding.
Supporting the Therapy Process
For clients already in therapy — or seeking a good therapeutic fit — our assessments offer insight into what will support the work. We identify relational dynamics, attachment patterns, and emotional themes that may shape how you engage in treatment. Because our assessors are also experienced psychotherapists, we don’t just recommend therapy — we understand what makes it work. We welcome collaboration with your therapist, including interviewing them as part of the assessment process and sharing our findings to support continuity and depth in your ongoing work.
The Option for Ongoing Work
Should you wish, it may be possible to continue working with your assessor after the evaluation process. Beginning therapy with someone who already knows you — deeply and thoughtfully — can offer a strong foundation for long-term change. We approach therapy as a continuation of the collaborative learning process started in assessment.
Our Assessment Process
Every assessment begins with a one-hour consultation to explore your concerns, goals, and questions. From there, we design a tailored assessment that may include structured testing, in-depth interviews, and collaborative reflection—both in-person and online.
We recognize that every person is unique, so each assessment process is flexible, comprehensive, and designed to fit your needs. Our goal is to provide you with clear, compassionate insights that guide effective therapy, parenting, and personal decision-making.
A Roadmap for Growth and Healing
Our assessments don’t just deliver a diagnosis; they offer a roadmap for understanding yourself or your child more fully. By integrating insights from cognitive, emotional, and relational domains, we help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and hope.
Contact us today to begin the journey toward deeper self-understanding and meaningful growth.
Learn More about Dr. Morsa
Listen to Dr. Morsa’s appearance on The Testing Psychologist Podcast where he discusses how psychoanalytic principles can foster depth and emotional insight in the assessment process.
