Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. While the specific manifestations can vary widely between individuals, some common traits include:
- Social Communication Deficits: Difficulties with back-and-forth conversations, understanding body language/facial expressions, making friends.
- Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors: Repetitive movements, rigid routines, highly restricted interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
- Nonverbal Communication Challenges: Unusual eye contact, body language, facial expressions and gestures.
- Relating and Socializing Issues: Problems developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.
- Sensory Differences: Hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory input like sounds, textures, smells.
- Rigid Behaviors: Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, ritualized patterns.
- Emotional Regulation Difficulties: Problems regulating emotional responses appropriately.
Autism Evaluation Process:
Our autism evaluations thoroughly examine various areas, including:
- Social Communication and Interaction: Assessing verbal/non-verbal communication skills, social reciprocity, and ability to develop/maintain relationships.
- Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors: Evaluating repetitive motor movements, insistence on sameness, highly restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities.
- Cognitive and Academic Abilities: Examining intellectual functioning, academic achievement, and learning strengths/deficits.
- Adaptive Functioning: Assessing daily living skills like self-care, social skills, communication, and practical skills.
- Developmental History: Gathering background through clinical interviews with parents about developmental milestones.
- Observation: Observing the child's behavior, social interactions, communication, interests, and activities.
It's essential to understand that autism spectrum disorder manifests differently in each person. The specific characteristics and severity can vary widely between individuals. Early evaluation and customized interventions are crucial for providing the appropriate level of support to meet each child's unique needs.
Service Details:
- Assessment and Report: The Autism evaluation service includes a comprehensive assessment and the creation of a detailed written report. This report will encompass a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, descriptions of assessment results, and recommendations for both home and school.
- ED Code and School Recommendations: The report will include relevant ED code information for educational planning and recommendations tailored to support the child's academic success in the school setting.
- Consultation: Following the completion of the Autism evaluation, a 50-minute consultation with our Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) will be provided. This consultation can be conducted in-person, over the phone, or via virtual conferencing, offering you the opportunity to discuss the assessment findings and ask any questions you may have.