Autism Evaluations

Psychological testing & evaluations

Understanding autism

Why Early Assessment and Intervention Matter

Autism is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood and lasts throughout life. Early identification and timely, appropriate intervention can greatly improve a child’s quality of life by supporting learning, reducing challenges over time, and promoting greater independence, academic success, and stronger relationships. Early assessment and intervention are essential.

Autism can affect a child’s development across several areas, including language, social communication, intellectual functioning, social skills, and adaptive behaviors, as outlined in the DSM-5. Some children may also display repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. Because autism presents differently in each child—and not all children show the same symptoms—a comprehensive evaluation by a trained psychologist using evidence-based assessments is crucial to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

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Some symptoms to watch out for

If your child shows any of these signs, consider an autism evaluation.

  • Repetitive behaviors
  • Parroting speech(echolalia)
  • Delayed or no speech
  • Insistence of specific routines, objects, interests
  • Difficulty with activities of daily living and following directions
  • Difficulty with eye contact
  • Lack of shared enjoyment
  • Lack of facial gestures or emotional expression
  • Inability to read or understand facial gestures or social cues
  • Sensitivity to touch, smells, temperature, light, or sound
  • Food avoidance; highly selective with feeding; texture avoidant
  • Difficulty getting along with others and making friends

What can I expect with an autism evaluation?

An autism evaluation uses evidence-based measures and typically includes:

An autism evaluation is a comprehensive process designed to better understand your child’s strengths and needs. Using evidence-based measures, the evaluation typically includes:

  • A parent interview, including a structured assessment
  • Child testing with a psychologist using specialized tools and activities
  • Cognitive testing with the child
  • Parent and teacher questionnaires
  • Consultation with schools, pediatricians, and other relevant professionals
  • Comprehensive report writing
  • A feedback session to review results and recommendations

This thorough approach helps ensure an accurate diagnosis and clear, personalized recommendations to support your child’s development.

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Why autism awareness is growing

Growing Prevalence and the Power of Early Intervention

You may be hearing more about autism as diagnosis rates rise. According to the CDC, autism now affects 1 in 44 U.S. children, up from 1 in 56 just two years ago, and 1 in 6 children has a developmental disability. While the causes aren’t fully understood, advances in research allow for earlier detection—sometimes before 12 months—which can improve social outcomes and reduce behavioral challenges.
Although autism is usually diagnosed after age 2, early signs often appear sooner. Early evaluation and support can make a meaningful difference—the earlier help begins, the better the long-term outcomes for your child.

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Compassionate care, evidence-based answers

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