Autism Evaluations
What is an Autism Evaluation?
An autism evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to determine whether a child or adolescent meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to better understand their unique social, communication, and behavioral profile. This testing can be done separately or included in a full psychological evaluation if there is a question if your child may have autism. Autism is not defined by a single test. Instead, it is identified through a careful, multi-method evaluation that looks at patterns of development over time.
What is the goal of Autism testing?
The purpose of an autism evaluation is to assess if your child meets the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. These results can help you to understand how your child communicates, relates to others, processes information, and experiences the world. It also can serve as a roadmap to you as a parent in determining what treatment is needed, guide interventions, help identify the appropriate school, better inform the school on your child’s learning needs and necessary accommodations.
What does an autism evaluation include?
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A detailed parent interview to understand early development, communication milestones, social engagement, sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviors, and current concerns
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Structured, standardized measures are used to observe social interaction, communication style, play, and behavior in a developmentally appropriate way.
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Assessments may evaluate intellectual functioning, language skills, and executive functioning to better understand strengths and challenges.
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Parents and teachers may complete questionnaires to provide insight into behavior across settings.
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Findings are carefully integrated with developmental history and behavioral observations to determine whether diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder are met.