Autism Diagnosis
Autism Diagnosis / Autism Testing
Before your loved one can begin ABA therapy, they must receive an official autism diagnosis from an established professional. Unfortunately, many families are discouraged to find that waiting lists for this process often take months to years to complete without the right company. At Texas ABA Centers, we understand the importance of early intervention and ensure a timely testing, screening, and diagnosis process so you can get started without a long wait.
Our Autism Screening And Evaluation in Four Simple Steps
- Reach Out – Call us for a preliminary consultation to discuss options for autism testing. Here, you can express your concerns and critical questions to one of our specialists and explain your unique situation. We will also verify your insurance coverage to determine your benefits and explore available appointments that work around your schedule.
- Initial Evaluation – During this appointment, our clinicians will meet with you and your child to perform a series of play-based tests, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Our clinicians will administer these tests in an inviting and friendly setting to ensure optimal comfort. Typically, this process takes anywhere from two to four hours to complete.
- Data Analysis and Critical Review – After we’ve completed the initial evaluation, our specialists will take time to analyze and review the data results. We use this data to consider patterns and objectives to understand where your child is developmentally and where they may require extra support. Generally, this process can take between one to two weeks.
- Diagnosis and Report – The autism diagnosis process ends with a follow-up appointment where we provide you with a written report of our findings. Based on this report and our evidence-based approach, we will highlight whether our determinations yielded a formal autism diagnosis. If so, we will provide therapy recommendations and explain the next steps. We take our time and extra care when discussing these results, ensuring you and your loved ones feel comfortable and that we’ve answered all your questions.
Autism Testing: How a Diagnosis Happens
An autism diagnosis relies on a comprehensive examination of a child’s developmental history and behavior – not a medical test. To ensure a successful and independent life, early intervention is crucial for children with autism, especially between the ages of 2 and 5. Early intervention guarantees that they receive the appropriate therapy plan and support.
During your child’s screening, you will complete a questionnaire detailing their history and behaviors. Sometimes, your child may also complete a short test. These evaluations provide helpful data to help us understand patterns or deficits in developments, such as:
- Behavior
- Movement
- Thinking
- Emotions
- Language
Autism Testing Methods
We employ various autism testing methods to diagnose autism, which include but are not limited to:
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) – This analyzes your child’s patterns and closely examines their repetitive behaviors, communication, play, and social skills.
- The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised Test – We will converse with you to better understand your concerns and your child’s behaviors.
- The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition – This 15-question test helps us determine whether your child may have a condition other than autism. Since behaviors observed in autism can also occur in different situations, such as ADHD, this test is a crucial part of the diagnosis process.
- Any additional assessments to help clarify a diagnosis involving your child’s motor skills, problem-solving, language capabilities, hearing, and vision.
