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Assessment and Evaluation

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is usually diagnosed during the early years of childhood. Diagnosis is based upon the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the main diagnostic reference for mental health disorders in the United States. The diagnosis is typically based on clinical observation, caregiver report and history. Certain structured assessments that pull for characteristics typically associated with autism may assist in making the diagnosis.

Presently, there is no specific laboratory test for ASD. However, several behavioral and developmental evaluation and assessment tools may provide data helpful in making the clinical diagnosis of an ASD.

Examples of diagnostic tools sometimes used are:

  • Autism Diagnosis Interview - Revised (ADI-R™) is a comprehensive, structured interview conducted with the caregiver that focuses on 3 functional domains: language/communication, reciprocal social interactions and behavior.
  • Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule (ADOS™) consists of standard, semi-structured activities that allow the examiner to observe the occurrence (or non occurrence) of behaviors that have been identified as important to the diagnosis of autism or other pervasive developmental disorders.
  • Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™) is a parent completed questionnaire that consists of 23 yes/no items.
  • Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT™) is an interactive tool that assesses key social and communicative behaviors including imitation, play, requesting, and directing attention.

Additional Assessment Services

Children’s Specialized Hospital offers evaluations for children, with or without an autism diagnosis, that can be scheduled separately. After evaluations are complete, parents are presented with a written report with recommendations.

Neurodevelopmental

Assessments of children with various developmental issues including, motor skills, auditory processing, language, memory, cognition, hearing, attention, perception, social interaction, academic learning, and associated medical issues. Evaluations address a child's developmental and learning needs as well as his or her functional abilities.

Psychiatry

Evaluates children and adolescents with possible mental health or social-emotional difficulties. Assessments include focus on home, school the community.

Physiatry

Diagnostic assessment and treatment planning for children and adolescents with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions and/or injuries and provides recommendations for rehabilitation, increased functioning, adaptive equipment, and improved quality of life.

Speech/Language

Assessments of all components of speech and language, including receptive and expressive language, articulation, oral motor skills, fluency, voice parameters, and pragmatic use of language. In addition, evaluations can assess challenges with feeding including motor skill difficulties and behavioral concerns.

Occupational Therapy

Evaluation of fine motor and functional skills, self-care skills, sensory-motor development, oral motor functioning, and visual-perceptual development. Offers practical solutions to improve functioning in activities for daily living and participation in common community activities.

Physical Therapy

Assesses child’s gross motor development, mobility, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, coordination, and motor-planning. Provides recommendations for increased strength, functioning, participation, and ease of care-giving.

Neuropsychological

Assessments are based on a child’s difficulties in learning, emotional control, brain injury or trauma, or other developmental conditions which affect the brain. Evaluations include such areas as general intellect, learning and memory, language development, visual-perceptual skills, fine-motor coordination, and emotional functioning.

Educational

Evaluations focus on a child’s learning and memory.

Nutrition

Screening and assessment of a child’s nutritional status, including issues such as weight control, gastro-intestinal problems, tube feeding evaluations, failure to thrive, texture-restricted diets, food allergies, special therapeutic diets such as those ordered for diabetes, high-cholesterol, and hypertension. Provides practical strategies to improve nutritional intake and health.

Comprehensive Feeding

Team Evaluations based on the needs of the child and can include either a full team evaluation or an evaluation within one specific discipline. Full team evaluations assess the medical, developmental, behavioral and psychosocial issues that can impact a child's feeding and typically include a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, and nutritionist. Individual, discipline-specific evaluations occur when a single area has clearly been identified as contributing to the child's feeding difficulties. Treatment recommendations, referrals, and suggestions are formulated with the goal of establishing feeding patterns that can be maintained in the child's natural environment.

Augmentative Communication

Evaluations for children who have oral and language deficits are performed to help determine an appropriate augmentative communication device that meets their unique needs. Assessment goals are to improve communication, independence, and social interaction.

Audiology

Assessments to determine hearing problems that may occur as a result of ear infections, injuries, or other related diseases. Comprehensive diagnostic testing includes routine Diagnostic Audiometry, Special Electrophysiologic tests including Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Oto-Acoustic Emission (OAE). Central Auditory Processing evaluations may be conducted for children who are developmentally six years of age or above.