Whether it is a first time diagnosis or a re-evaluation to evaluate functioning and services needed, Upside Therapy and Evaluation Center can offer a full evaluation including cognitive, educational, adaptive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. An autism evaluation not only assess if there is or isn’t an autism spectrum disorder, but also determines any co-occurring, or differential diagnoses as well.
Autism testing is complex and difficult. Our licensed psychologists conduct autism spectrum evaluations using research backed, empirically based evaluation techniques. Specifically, Dr. Oppenheimer and Dr. Travis are trained on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) among other autism specific measures. The ADOS-2 is considered the gold standard of autism assessment. The ADOS-2 is a series of social interactions and activities designed to detect the presence of autism spectrum disorder. Children as young as 3 years old can be assessed at our clinic using the latest toddler specific techniques. Adolescents and adults can also be administered the ADOS-2.
Our office also uses the empirically validated and research supported Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised Edition (ADI-R) which allows our experienced clinicians to provide an accurate diagnosis on a child through a structured caregiver interview. This means that we can continue to provide diagnostic services, even through remote or video telehealth means.
A diagnostic interview is a time to review background information and ASD symptoms. Any previous testing is helpful for this process as well. Your psychologist may decide to include an observation session, which is included in the flat fee of evaluations. The psychologist will then help formulate appropriate and helpful interventions after the evaluation session has been conducted.
For younger children, and more complex diagnostic profiles, this office is proud to offer interdisciplinary assessments, partnering with local speech and language experts in the field. Interdisciplinary evaluations, in which professionals from multiple fields work in a collaborative manner to glean both diagnostic and programming information, are considered the most diagnostically accurate assessment for complex cases and children who are beginning their language skills.