Introducing The MAADI©
Understanding Autism in Adulthood
For many adults, discovering they may be autistic brings both clarity and relief. The Math Adult Autism Diagnostic Interview (MAADI©) was developed to make that process more accessible, accurate, and affirming. The MAADI© is a semi-structured interview, meaning it feels like a guided conversation between you and your clinician rather than a test. It was designed specifically for verbally fluent adults and reflects the lived experiences and communication styles of autistic people.
What Is the MAADI©?
The MAADI© is a clinical interview created to help therapists and psychologists identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults with clarity and compassion. The interview explores key areas of neurodivergent experience, including:
- Social understanding and communication
- Restricted or focused interests
- Sensory processing patterns
- Emotional regulation and daily living experiences
- Developmental and life history
Unlike many standardized tools, the MAADI© was designed to be cost-free for clinicians, reducing barriers to accurate autism diagnosis for adults seeking answers later in life.
The Diagnostic Process
A full adult autism evaluation typically includes:
- The MAADI© Interview – a one-to-one, conversational assessment between clinician and client.
- Standardized Questionnaires – validated self-report measures completed by you (and sometimes someone who knows you well) to provide additional information about your strengths and challenges.
- Comprehensive Review – your clinician integrates interview results, questionnaire data, and developmental history to provide diagnostic feedback and personalized recommendations.
This process is designed to be respectful, collaborative, and empowering, ensuring that your lived experience guides the diagnostic outcome.
Why Seek an Autism Assessment as an Adult?
Many autistic adults grow up without an accurate diagnosis. This can lead to years of self-doubt, burnout, or misdiagnosis. Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult can help you:
- Understand your sensory, social, and emotional experiences
- Reframe your past through a neurodiversity-affirming lens
- Identify supports that align with your strengths
- Access accommodations at work or school
- Build self-acceptance and community connection
Diagnosis is not about labeling, it’s about self-understanding, validation, and growth.
Resources for Autistic Adults
Recommended Books
- Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, PhD
- NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
- Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking edited by Julia Bascom
- Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg
- I Think I Might Be Autistic by Cynthia Kim
Helpful Websites & Online Communities
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
- Autism Level UP!
- AANE (Asperger/Autism Network)
- Embrace Autism
- Therapy Dynamics – Autism, ADHD, and trauma-informed assessment and therapy
Compassionate, Accessible Assessment
The MAADI© was developed by Kristen Math, MA, LPCC-S, an autistic clinician, researcher, and advocate, to provide a more affirming, affordable, and accurate way to identify autism in adults.