AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER · PSYCHIATRIC CARE

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Psychiatric Care in NJ & NY

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management for the anxiety, ADHD, irritability, and sleep difficulties that commonly occur alongside autism spectrum disorder. In person in Fort Lee, NJ or by telehealth across New Jersey and New York.


Self-pay practice · Superbill provided for out-of-network reimbursement

Michael Feldman, PA-C, founder of Gimel Health in Fort Lee, New Jersey

Michael Feldman, PA-C · Founder

Psychiatric Care for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder affects how a person communicates, processes sensory information, and relates to routine and social interaction. There is no medication that treats these core features directly. What psychiatric medication management can address is the conditions that commonly occur alongside autism: anxiety, depression, ADHD, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Treating those well often makes a meaningful difference in daily functioning, even though the autism itself is not what's being medicated.


EVALUATION THAT SEPARATES CORE FEATURES FROM CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS

The initial evaluation distinguishes between what is inherent to the autism spectrum presentation and what is a separate, treatable condition occurring alongside it. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, and irritability are all common in autistic adults and adolescents, and each responds to different treatment approaches. Getting this distinction right is the foundation of the whole plan.


ANXIETY AND MOOD

Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring conditions in autism, and it does not always present the way it does in the general population. Standard SSRIs are often used, though tolerability and response can differ, and some patients respond better to alternatives such as buspirone. Depression in autistic adults is frequently underrecognized, in part because some of its signs overlap with baseline traits.


ADHD AND ATTENTION

ADHD and autism co-occur often enough that evaluating for both is standard practice when either is suspected. Stimulant medications can help, though autistic patients sometimes show a different side-effect profile and response pattern than neurotypical patients, which affects dosing and choice of medication.


IRRITABILITY AND SLEEP

Irritability, meaning aggression, self-injury, or severe meltdowns, is one of the few autism-related target symptoms with FDA-approved medication options. Sleep disturbance is also extremely common and often addressed first, since poor sleep tends to worsen every other symptom being treated. Melatonin and sleep hygiene are typically the starting point before other medications are considered.


COORDINATED CARE

Autism spectrum care works best as a team effort. With your consent, I coordinate with therapists, behavioral specialists, and other providers already involved, and I can help connect you with ABA or other behavioral services if you do not already have that support in place. Medication management here is one part of a broader plan, not a replacement for it.


⚠ This content is for informational purposes only. No medication should be started, stopped, or changed without guidance from a qualified psychiatric provider. All treatment decisions at Gimel Health are made following a comprehensive in-person or telehealth evaluation with Michael Feldman, PA-C.

SERVICES

Other Conditions I Treat

Six focus areas. Click any to see the full approach.

Mood Disorders

Treatment for depression, bipolar, PMDD, and
complex mood patterns.

Anxiety & OCD

Specialized care for chronic worry, panic, PTSD,
and obsessive thoughts.

ADHD & Autism

Medication management and precision psychiatry from patients diagnosed with ADHD or autism.

Eating Disorders

Medical and medication support for anorexia,
bulimia, and binge eating.

Sleep & Anger

Treatment for insomnia, rage, and impulse
control challenges.

HOW AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TREATMENT WORKS

Your Path to Better Mental Health

Three steps. No surprises.

10-min Discovery Call

Tell me what's going on. I'll tell you if I'm
the right fit — or refer you to someone
who is.

50-min Initial Evaluation

A full psychiatric evaluation. We review your complete medical and psychiatric history, prior treatments, symptoms, and goals together.

Treatment & Follow-up

Medication plan, dosage refinement, and
regular check-ins.

ABOUT

Meet Michael Feldman, PA-C

Founder · Physician Assistant–Certified

Why molecular biology matters to you

Before clinical practice I spent over ten years in molecular and cellular biology research at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Mount Sinai. Autism spectrum disorder has a strong neurobiological basis, and that background shapes how carefully I distinguish core features from treatable co-occurring symptoms rather than treating autism as a single target.

What I treat

Co-occurring anxiety, depression, ADHD, irritability, and sleep disturbance in individuals on the autism spectrum. I work alongside your existing therapist, behavioral specialist, or other providers as part of a coordinated plan.

What your first visit looks like

A 60-minute initial evaluation, in person in Fort Lee or by telehealth across New Jersey and New York, with a treatment plan focused on what medication can realistically help with.

EDUCATION

MSc in Physician Assitant Studies

PACE University NYC

EDUCATION

MSc Nut

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

LANGUAGES

English
Russian
Hebrew

CARE

Children · Teens · Adults

Family-aware planning

FOUNDER VIDEO 

Watch: Why I founded Gimel Health

TESTIMONIALS

What Patients Say

Verified Google reviews

5.0 ★ · View all reviews on Google

FEES & INSURANCE

Accessible Psychiatric Care in Fort Lee

I do not take insurance. Self-pay allows time for a thorough evaluation and coordinated follow-up.
Initial evaluation (up to 50 minutes): $350
Follow-up visit: $300
Discovery call: free, about 10 minutes
You pay at the visit and I provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.

Ask about fees and reimbursement →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Things patients usually want to know before reaching out.

Does medication treat autism itself?

No. There is no medication that treats the core social-communication features of autism spectrum disorder. Medication management addresses conditions that commonly occur alongside autism, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Being clear about that distinction upfront avoids setting the wrong expectation.

What co-occurring conditions do you treat in autistic patients?

The most common are anxiety, depression, ADHD, irritability including aggression or severe meltdowns, and sleep disturbance. Each is evaluated and treated on its own terms, since autistic patients can respond differently to standard medications than the general population, both in effectiveness and side effects.

Do autistic patients respond differently to psychiatric medications?

Often, yes. Response and tolerability can differ from neurotypical patients, which is part of why the evaluation and follow-up process is careful and incremental rather than following a generic dosing schedule. For anxiety, some patients respond better to alternatives to standard SSRIs. For ADHD, stimulant response and side-effect profiles can also differ.

Do you diagnose autism spectrum disorder?

I can provide a psychiatric evaluation that considers whether ASD is present, particularly when it’s being distinguished from or alongside another condition such as ADHD or anxiety. For a full diagnostic autism evaluation, I may refer you to a specialist depending on the complexity of the presentation.

Do you work with behavioral therapists or ABA providers?

Yes, with your consent. Coordinated care between medication management and behavioral support tends to work better than either alone, and I communicate directly with other providers involved in your care. If you don’t already have behavioral support in place, I can help you find it.

Is care available by telehealth?

Yes. I am licensed in New Jersey and New York and provide ongoing medication management by telehealth across both states. In-person visits are available at the Fort Lee, NJ office.

How is irritability or aggression treated?

Irritability, including aggression and self-injury, is one of the few autism-related symptoms with FDA-approved medication options. Treatment typically starts with identifying triggers and ruling out other contributing factors, such as pain, sleep disturbance, or an untreated co-occurring condition, before considering medication specifically targeted at irritability.

Is a referral needed to start care?

No referral is required. You can book directly through this site or start with a free 15-minute discovery call to check whether care here fits your needs.

CONTACT

Schedule Your First
Appointment

I personally read every inquiry and respond within one business day.

Your information is confidential and HIPAA-protected. I personally read every inquiry and respond within one business day.

GET IN TOUCH

PHONE

(201) 815-4351

LOCATION

440 West Str, Ste 307 Fort Lee, Bergen County, NJ 07024

HOURS

Mon–Thu · 9am–7pm Fri · 9am–3pm

BLOG & ARTICLE

Latest from the Blog