Getting an Autistic Diagnosis in Montana

Evaluator Criteria

Recommended evaluators must:

1. Be licensed to provide court-admissible autism evaluations in Montana (in-state or via PsyPact telehealth).
2. Publicly self-identify as autistic in professional settings.
3. Use neurodiversity-affirming practices, rejecting ABA and deficit-based language.
4. Have forensic experience (e.g., court testimony, ADA evaluations).

Key Findings

No single provider meets all criteria. The best partial matches are:

1. Dr. Megan Anna Neff (PsyD)

• Remote via PsyPact (licensed in 39 states, including Montana)
• Credentials: Licensed psychologist, ASAN member, publicly self-identifies as autistic.
• Neurodiversity Alignment: Co-authored guidelines on affirming assessments, rejects deficit-based models.
• Forensic Experience: No courtroom testimony.
• Summary: Meets criteria 1–3; lacks forensic credentials.

2. A Spectrum United (Telehealth Collective)

• Remote via PsyPact; Montana-supervised psychologist
• Services: Autism evaluations with forensic addendums.
• Neurodiversity Alignment: Requires specialized training in affirming practices.
• Forensic Experience: Limited to workplace accommodations.
• Summary: Meets criteria 1, 2, and mostly 3; forensic experience is partial.

3. Dr. Devon Price (PhD)

• Role: Social psychologist, legal consultant for ADA cases.
• Credentials: Publicly identifies as autistic.
• Neurodiversity Alignment: Strong advocate against ABA and traditional diagnostic models.
• Forensic Experience: Legal consultant but lacks licensure for full diagnostic evaluations.
• Summary: Meets criteria 2 and 3 but is not a licensed evaluator.

Montana-Based Options (Partial Matches)

• Big River Psychology (Missoula): Offers PsyPact-compliant evaluations but lacks neurodiversity critique or self-identification.
• Dr. Armer (Blueprint Psychology): Provides court-admissible reports but does not align with neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Legal Strategy for Court Recognition

1. Hybrid Model: Obtain a DSM-5 evaluation from a Montana provider and supplement it with expert testimony from a neurodiversity advocate.
2. Supporting Documentation: Include ASAN’s 2024 Position Statement on Autism Assessment to validate neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

Advocacy & Next Steps

• Legislation: Push for policies protecting clinicians who disclose neurodivergence (e.g., Oregon’s HB 4078).
• Insurance Reform: Advocate for Medicaid/Medicare coverage for neurodiversity-affirming evaluations.
• Resource Development: Expand ASAN Montana’s directory of autistic clinicians.

Limitations

• Self-Identification: Many providers do not disclose autism due to stigma.
• Forensic Gaps: No provider has extensive courtroom experience for legal cases.
• Telehealth Uncertainty: Standardized guidelines for remote autism evaluations are still developing.

Key Citations

This post benefited from Perplexity for research, ChatGPT for proofreading, and Gemini for fact-checking. The author is responsible for the final content.

1. Montana Code Annotated § 33-22-515 – Legal standards for autism evaluations.
2. PsyPact – Interstate telehealth authorization.
3. NeuroClastic (2023) – Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s public disclosure.
4. ASAN’s 2024 Position Statement on Autism Assessment – Guidelines for affirming practices.