Types of Evaluations at ASAC
Developmental Evaluation (infancy-5 years)
A Developmental Evaluation is used when there are concerns about a young child's communication, language, social functioning and/or when there are suspicions of a possible ASD. Developmental evaluations consists of:
- Gold standard ASD diagnostic measures (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R) to assess for symptoms of behavior associated with ASD.
- Comprehensive Developmental testing to assess a child's current levels of language, thinking and problem-solving, daily living skills and motor skills.
- Emotional/Behavioral Functioning assessment, to evaluate a child's behavioral functioning, emotional regulation and coping skills.
Psychological/Diagnostic Evaluation (6 years - adulthood)
Psychological/Diagnostic evaluations are offered for individuals ranging from school-aged through adulthood when there are concerns about an individual’s social and communication skills, and/or there are suspicions of a possible ASD. Psychological/Diagnostic evaluations consist of:
- Gold standard ASD diagnostic measures (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R) to assess for symptoms of behavior associated with ASD.
- Comprehensive Cognitive testing to assess an individual's thinking and problem-solving skills across a range of areas including verbal reasoning, visual/spatial reasoning, memory, abstract reasoning and processing speed.
- Adaptive Functioning assessment to evaluation an individual's level of independence across a range of daily living and self-care tasks.
- Emotional/Behavioral Functioning assessment, to evaluation an individual's behavioral functioning, attention and motivation, emotional regulation and developed coping skills.
Psycho-educational (6 years - young adults in school/college)
Psycho-Educational Evaluations are offered to individuals who are school-aged and have clinical concerns that include academic/school functioning. Psycho-educational evaluations include components of a Psychological/Diagnostic Evaluation (above) but are supplemented with additional testing focused on academic functioning. Psycho-educational evaluations consists of:
- Gold standard ASD diagnostic measures (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R) to assess for symptoms of behavior associated with ASD.
- Comprehensive Cognitive testing to assess an individual's thinking and problem-solving skills across a range of areas including verbal reasoning, visual/spatial reasoning, memory, abstract reasoning and processing speed.
- Adaptive Functioning assessment to evaluation an individual's level of independence across a range of daily living and self-care tasks.
- Emotional/Behavioral Functioning assessment, to evaluation an individual's behavioral functioning, attention and motivation, emotional regulation and developed coping skills.
- Academic Achievement/Learning testing, including reading, written language and mathematical skills, as well as assessment of comprehension, problem-solving style, and memory for academic information.
Neuropsychological (6 years - adulthood)
Neuropsychological evaluations are indicated only when a more complex brain or neurological issue is suspected. These evaluations closely resemble our psycho-educational evaluations, but utilize additional, neuropsychological testing instruments, that provide specific information about an individual's neurological processing.
Additional Evaluation Services
International Evaluation (All ages)
ASAC provides bilingual (Spanish) evaluations for clients who reside outside the continental United States. Special arrangements can be made in advance to accommodate the specific scheduling needs of our international clients.
Bilingual (Spanish) Evaluation
We have a bilingual Spanish speaking psychologist on staff who can provide evaluations, reports, and consultations in Spanish.
Pre-evaluation Consultation
Our psychologists also offer face-to-face consultation for families who are unsure if an evaluation is warranted, yet are in need of guidance and support in determining the best therapeutic and treatment options.
Re-evaluations
Families are invited back to ASAC for follow-up evaluations following a comprehensive assessment. Many children return to our team every 2 years during their school years for comprehensive re-evaluation. Recommendations are updated at that time.
Insurance Evaluations
Insurance evaluations are conducted to confirm an autism diagnosis and establish medical necessity for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, as required by insurance. It typically involves a clinical interview with caregivers, a review of developmental and medical history, standardized autism-specific tools, and adaptive functioning measures. The focus of this type of evaluation is focused primarily on autism-related behaviors rather than a full psychological profile. Insurance evaluations are offered only to those who can provide documentation of an existing autism diagnosis from a medical professional.
