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Autism Evaluation

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is part of a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders with its onset beginning early in a child’s development. Latest studies show that 1 in every 68 children in the United States has been diagnosed with an ASD. If you have opened this webpage, chances are you have some concerns about someone you love.

You sense something isn’t quite ‘right’ with your child. Perhaps, you are feeling anxious or unsure of what to do. We understand how scary and uncertain this time may be for you.

The information we have presented here is to help answer some of your questions and help guide you in making informed decisions about further assessment and treatment. Please understand that this information is simply a starting point to understanding what autism is and is not, and how the condition should be properly evaluated. The information here is not meant to diagnose.

Instead, we encourage you to consider scheduling an appointment with one of our psychologists who are qualified to diagnose autism for a complete evaluation to determine if your child is really on the spectrum. If results are positive that your child is on the spectrum, we will discuss all the appropriate treatment options currently available. You do not have to do it alone. We are here for you when you need us. For additional information on our Autism testing for adults, visit our Adults Services page.

FAQ’s

All of us at Premier Psychological Services look forward to meeting you. We hope the following will answer your questions about our services. If your question is not covered here, please don’t hesitate to let us know!

Will insurance cover the assessment?

It depends. All insurance plans have different benefits so you may want to check and see if your plan covers the type of testing services you need. Typically, if the testing question isn’t a health care issue, insurance companies will not cover the evaluation. We will provide you with an itemized receipt called a ‘superbill’ that will have all the necessary codes and dates of service for you to submit your plan for possible reimbursement.

How long until I have the report?

Your results session with your psychologist occurs 3 weeks after your last testing appointment.See “What Happens at the Results Session?” for further information.

Can I expedite the evaluation process?

Absolutely! We understand that sometimes academic entrance exams and accommodations testing deadlines vary and can sneak up on you. Please inquire at our office about our expedited service to receive your report in the timeframe necessary to meet your deadline. We will strive to help reduce your stress level that these evaluations create.

Can you guarantee I will receive accommodations for my entrance exams?

Sadly, no. However, our licensed psychologists have years of experience providing evaluations for possible accommodations for the ISEE, ACT, SAT, MCAT, LSAT, and bar exam, just to name a few. We know what specific tests are required and what information must be included in the report (that is required and specific to each testing agency) to support a possible accommodation recommendation, like extended time.

Do I have to stay while my child is being tested?

No. If your child is scheduled for a 4-hour evaluation, many of our parents will leave to run errands, make other appointments, and then return near the end of their child’s testing session. We do ask that parents stay for the first hour in our waiting room, just to be sure their child is comfortable. Additionally, parents usually will be provided forms and questionnaires to complete that day while their child is testing.

If I am divorced, do I need to provide my divorce decree prior to my child's appointment?

Yes. The divorce decree will spell out the consenting rights of each parent. We must review it in order to be sure your rights are being properly met as we abide by the law.

Do you take any insurance?

No. We refuse to compromise on the level of quality care we provide our clients. You can find more detailed information on our Fees and Insurance pages.

What do I need to bring with me on the day of the assessment?

We ask that you bring with you completed intake paperwork from this site to your first appointment. However, if you were unable to do so, we ask you bring it to the testing appointment. Additionally, please bring photocopies of any previous assessments.
For school-aged children, please bring copies of all their report cards. If you bring the originals, be sure you ask for them when you leave your results session.
Feel free to bring favorite snacks and drinks during the evaluation!
If you or your child is on medication, your psychologist will advise you at the initial consultation whether or not to be medicated for the evaluation.

Does there have to be something "wrong" with my child to get a psychoeducational assessment?

Absolutely not. There are many reasons parents, students, and adults come to us for an evaluation. A psychoeducational assessment is beneficial to any student of any age because it helps to identify which areas are strong and should be further developed, and which areas are weak and in need of support. We always tell our clients, “Don’t assume. Instead, let us get you answers.” Each of us learns differently so having a clear and statistically supported understanding of your or your child’s profile can help you or your child excel academically in life!

Will the report have recommendations for school and home?

Yes, whether the student was found to have a learning disability or not, the report will describe in detail the processing strengths of the student and exactly what processes need to be addressed by both parents and the school. The more important part of the report is the appropriate interventions and recommendations that have proven to be effective in minimizing the learning difficulties. Please see “Follow Up after the Results Session” for more information.

I am afraid my child will be labeled. What are the benefits of being identified as having a learning difference?

While there are some possible problems with being ‘tagged’, so to speak, the benefits far outweigh the risks. First, your child and his classmates already know that he has a learning problem. Getting the appropriate and accurate diagnosis with good feedback can assure your child that he is not stupid, as many children with learning problems mistakenly assume. Like everyone else, there are some things they are good at and some things they are not so good at.

Furthermore, having been identified with a learning difference in the current public education system ensures that your child will get the support and accommodations they need, at least the best that the school can provide given their limited resources. In most public schools, without the tag or label, a student cannot get the available support they qualify for to achieve up to their potential (e.g., extra time on exams, use of computer technology to facilitate reading and writing, etc).

Is it better to wait until my child is older to have the evaluation done?

All of the Wechsler assessment instruments are formed in four-month increments so children are compared with their own age group at the time they are evaluated. For example, a child evaluated in August is compared against different norms than the same child evaluated in January. There is no material benefit to waiting until your child is older to have him/her evaluated.

What should I tell my child to prepare him/her for this evaluation?

You might consider telling your child something like, “We are going to do some things that will help your mom/dad decide what will be a really good school for you next year.” Or you might say “You are going to do some interesting things that will help you in class”. This lets your child know the purpose of the activities. It is best to avoid the word “test.” Your child should expect to do various activities, each of which takes about 5-10 minutes. Most children find the activities fun.

What does the evaluation measure and how does the private school use the results?

All private school applicants are required to participate in an individual evaluation. The evaluation will help the school determine the academic environment and class placement that are in the best interest of the student. Every private school has their own specialty and it helps parents in finding the right fit by knowing their child’s cognitive, intellectual, emotional, social and behavioral strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation measures verbal abilities, nonverbal reasoning, short-term/working memory, and visual/fine-motor skills.

In addition, both the WPPSI and the WISC provides a Full-Scale IQ Score. Taken as a whole, results should help assess your child’s abilities, school readiness, and learning style. Of course, other factors besides the test results will be considered in making this decision. Sometimes results are used to help the school determine which classroom or teacher would be most appropriate for your child.

What if my child does not do as well as I think he/she can? Can we re-test?

Most children score within the ‘average range’, which means that their cognitive development is within normal limits for what we expect of someone their age. Due to practice effects, your child cannot be re-tested using the same instrument for one year. You can choose to have your child re-tested using a different test; however, most schools discourage re-testing.

Do you test for Autism in adults?

Yes, in fact, we do. We have 3 licensed psychologists who are certified to administer and interpret the ADOS, which is the gold standard in assessing for autism through adulthood. We use the ADOS as part of a comprehensive evaluation tailored to address your specific needs that have prompted you to request an autism evaluation as an adult.

Do you test for ADHD in adults?

Yes, all the time. Children with untreated ADHD grow up to be adults who experience difficulty in relationships and work and often find their self-esteem being impacted as a result.

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