Understanding Autism

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 Does your child...

☐ Avoid eye contact? 

    (Not always an indicator)

☐ Have difficulty making friends?

☐ Prefer playing alone?

☐ Have intense interests?

☐ Become overwhelmed by loud noises or have other sensory concerns (textures, light, sound, noises, temperature)?

☐ Struggle with changes in routine?

☐ Repeat phrases?

☐ Walk on toes or flap hands? 

    (Not always an indicator)

☐ Experience frequent sensory overload?

☐ Have trouble understanding social cues?

If several of these sound familiar, a comprehensive evaluation may provide valuable answers.

 Early Support Benefits 

 Early identification helps families access appropriate educational supports, therapies, and resources that can improve long-term outcomes.   

Is Assessment Suitable?

Parent interview

Developmental history

Standardized autism measures

Cognitive testing

Adaptive behavior

Social communication

Behavior rating scales

Comprehensive report

Individualized recommendations

What are the early signs of autism?

Every child is unique, but common signs may include difficulty with social communication, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, challenges with changes in routine, or difficulty understanding social cues. An evaluation helps determine whether these behaviors are consistent with autism spectrum disorder or another developmental condition.

Is my child too old to be evaluated for autism?

No. Autism can be identified at many different ages. Some children are not diagnosed until later in elementary school or even adolescence, especially if their symptoms are more subtle or they have developed ways to compensate.

What does an autism evaluation include?

A comprehensive autism evaluation typically includes a parent interview, developmental history, standardized assessment measures such as the ADOS-2 (which is the gold standard of Autism evaluations), cognitive testing, adaptive behavior assessment, social-emotional measures, behavioral observations, and a thorough review of educational and medical records.

 Will the evaluation determine whether my child has autism?

The purpose of the evaluation is to gather comprehensive information about your child's development, communication, learning, and behavior. If the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder are met, that will be discussed during your feedback session along with recommendations for next steps.

What happens if my child is diagnosed with autism?

Following the evaluation, you'll receive individualized recommendations that may include educational supports, therapies, community resources, and strategies to help your child thrive at home and school.

Will schools accept a private autism evaluation?

Many schools review private evaluations as part of the eligibility process. While school districts make their own educational eligibility decisions, a comprehensive private evaluation often provides valuable information that supports planning and intervention.

How long does the evaluation take?

The evaluation process varies based on your child's age and individual needs but generally includes one or more testing sessions followed by a detailed written report and feedback meeting. 

What are the early signs of autism?

Every child is unique, but common signs may include difficulty with social communication, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, challenges with changes in routine, or difficulty understanding social cues. An evaluation helps determine whether these behaviors are consistent with autism spectrum disorder or another developmental condition.

Is my child too old to be evaluated for autism?

No. Autism can be identified at many different ages. Some children are not diagnosed until later in elementary school or even adolescence, especially if their symptoms are more subtle or they have developed ways to compensate.

What does an autism evaluation include?

A comprehensive autism evaluation typically includes a parent interview, developmental history, standardized assessment measures such as the ADOS-2 (which is the gold standard of Autism evaluations), cognitive testing, adaptive behavior assessment, social-emotional measures, behavioral observations, and a thorough review of educational and medical records.