Autism Testing Now Available at Mala
Autism Testing Now Available at Mala!
Seeing the Whole Person, Not Just the Diagnosis
By Dr. Hasti Raveau, PhD, LP
Founder & CEO
Something really special is happening at Mala! We’re now offering autism evaluations for toddlers, kids, teens, and adults at our Farmington Hills clinic.
For so many families and individuals, finally understanding that they (or their child) have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is nothing short of life-changing. It’s like the world finally comes into focus. Things that used to feel confusing start to make sense.
And just to say it clearly: everyone describes their experience differently.
Some people say “I have autism.”
Some say “I’m autistic.”
Some say “I’m on the spectrum.”
Whatever words feel right for you are right. For the sake of this blog, we’ll use the phrase “have autism.”
When a Toddler is Identified
When a parent learns their toddler has autism, something powerful happens! The story shifts. It’s no longer about trying to “fix” a behavior. It’s about learning how this little brain experiences the world.
Research shows that early identification changes literally everything from communication, to emotional regulation, to connection. But even beyond the research, what changes most is the parent’s heart. They begin to see their child not as difficult, but as different, and that opens up a whole new way of loving and supporting the. It also allows families to access occupational therapy, speech support, parent coaching, and sensory regulation guidance that promote connection over correction.
When a Child is Identified
For a children, getting clarity about autism can bring so much relief. Suddenly there’s language for the overwhelm, the sensitivity to noise, the need for breaks, or the way friendships feel tricky. Teachers can start to adapt the classroom instead of punishing differences. Kids start to realize, “There’s nothing wrong with me. My brain just works differently.” At this stage, diagnosis helps shape self-advocacy and emotional literacy, which are key protective factors for mental health.
When a Teen is Identified
For tweens and teens, especially girls and gender-diverse youth, autism can hide behind what’s called “masking.” It’s that exhausting effort to seem like everyone else. Smiling, holding it together, and falling apart later. When a teen learns they’re autistic, it’s like the air clears. They start to see that their sensitivity, creativity, and intensity are part of who they are. Studies even show that getting a diagnosis during adolescence helps teens reinterpret their past as difference, not failure. And that’s exactly what we want: less shame, more self-compassion.
When an Adult is Identified
For adults, a diagnosis can be so healing. In a 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychology, late-diagnosed adults described the experience as “coming home to myself.” Many reported increased self-acceptance, reduced self-blame, and improved mental health outcomes after diagnosis. Understanding one’s neurotype helps adults make sense of lifelong patterns in work, relationships, and emotional regulation. Many adults tell us that after being diagnosed, they finally give themselves permission to rest, say no, or stop pushing themselves into burnout. They start living life in rhythm with their own nervous system and notice a huge shift in their mental well-being.
The Way We Do This Matters
Autism care has a very complicated past. For a very long time, therapies focused on making autistic people look “less autistic” all to make others comfortable.
That’s not who we are at Mala. Even our behavior specialists work differently. They use trauma-informed, consent-based approaches that honor autonomy and nervous system safety. Our occupational therapists and art therapists came to Mala because they wanted to work somewhere that valued helping people feel authentic belonging, not pressure and compliance.
Affirming care is revolutionary because it heals identities. It helps people love the parts of themselves that the world once told them to hide.
Meet Ashley Weiland, MA, LLP
The Heart Behind Mala’s Autism Testing
Ashley leads our autism testing program with a rare blend of expertise and heart. She’s has over a decade of experience in developmental assessment, trauma-informed care, and understanding how autism shows up across the spectrum, especially in women, girls, and BIPOC individuals who are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Whether she’s meeting with a parent, teen, or adult, Ashley forms a safe space that feels curious. Clients leave with understanding and relief.
Working closely with our occupational therapists and psychiatrists, Ashley ensure every evaluation captures the whole person. Our team brings both professional and personal connection: Kathryn Bachleda, our OT Director, is the sister of an autistic adult, and Dr. Bardia Gholami, our psychiatrist, is a parent of an autistic child.
We hope that autism testing at Mala will be about
the freedom that comes with truly being understood.
What an Autism Evaluation Looks Like at Mala
1. Enrollment Form
Clients fill out the psychological evaluation enrollment form. Our intake coordinator, Senna will contact you to ensure you are a good fit for an evaluation at Mala.
2. The Clinical Interview
Next, you’ll meet with your evaluator (often Ashley Weiland) for a detailed clinical interview. We’ll talk about developmental history, strengths, challenges, social patterns, and daily life.
3. The Testing Sessions
Depending on age and goals, we’ll complete a series of play-based and interactive tasks to observe communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. For younger children, it might look like play. For older children, teens, or adults, it may include structured conversations, questionnaires, or standardized assessments.
While we are primarily evaluating for autism, part of our job is to rule out or identifying other conditions that can overlap or look similar, such as ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences. This ensure what we’re seeing and supporting is accurate.
4. The Team Approach
For more complex or nuanced cases, our OTs and/or psychiatrists collaborate on the evaluation. This ensures that sensory needs, motor coordination, and emotional or medical factors are considered.
5. The Feedback Session
Once testing is complete, Ashley (or another evaluator) meets with you for a feedback session. You’ll walk away with results, recommendations, and a way to make sense of your or your child’s experience.
6. Follow-Up and Support
After the evaluation, you’ll have the option to continue care right here at Mala, whether through therapy, OT, psychiatry, school advocacy, or parent coaching.
Newest Team Members!
Now Accepting New Clients
We’re thrilled to welcome two incredible clinicians to the Mala family, both with immediate openings for new clients!
Carla DePalma, LPC, ATR — Carla brings a creative, compassionate approach that helps children and adults express, heal, and grow through art and connection.
Rayan Naaman, MA, BCBA, LBA, TLLP — Rayan specializes in supporting children, teens, and families using trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming methods that empower growth and self-understanding.
Both are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, and ready to support clients of all ages.
Current Therapy Groups
Therapeutic Support for Sensory Processing
Living in a world that often feels too loud, too bright, or too overwhelming can take a toll on emotional well-being. Our practice offers compassionate mental health support for children, teens, and adults experiencing sensory processing challenges. Whether it’s navigating daily overstimulation, managing anxiety tied to sensory sensitivities, or building coping strategies for school, work, or relationships, we provide a validating, individualized space to help you feel more grounded, understood, and in control.
If you have any questions concerning care at Mala or would like to reach out for another reason, we’d love to hear from you.
Until next time,
The Mala Child & Family Institute Team
