Autism Diagnosis
Autism Testing & Diagnosis
Before diving into ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, it’s important to ensure your child has an official autism diagnosis. Here at ABA Centers of Washington, we make the process easy with screening, testing, and diagnosis for autism. If your child exhibits autism signs, such as developmental challenges or struggles with communication, our team can help your family decide the next steps.
If you’ve been researching how to get an autism diagnosis, you may have noticed that it can be lengthy, taking months or even years to get an official test and diagnosis. We’re on a mission to make it easier for you. We’ve put in the effort and resources to speed up the autism diagnosis process and get your child the answers they need.
Contact Us Today with No Obligation
Reach out and schedule an initial autism testing consultation. If you have concerns about autism symptoms, we are here to listen attentively, ask the right questions, and reach the proper diagnosis. Additionally, we will verify any applicable insurance benefits and explore appointment options with you.
Analysis & Evaluation
Following your autism diagnosis appointment, our medical specialists will diligently examine the results from the testing session, a process that generally requires one to two weeks.
Preliminary Assessment
During your appointment, our clinical team will meet with you and your child to evaluate autism signs through play-based activities in a welcoming environment. We utilize ADOS-2, the current industry standard for autism assessment. Comprehensive autism screening typically takes two to four hours and includes various components designed to assess autism symptoms accurately.
Autism Diagnosis Report
We will share our findings and inform you of any diagnoses during a subsequent appointment. This includes providing a written report and offering recommendations. At ABA Centers of Washington, your child’s comfort is our top priority. We allocate ample time and support to discuss the results thoroughly and guide you through the next steps.
Autism Testing: How Diagnosis Happens
An Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis does not rely on a medical test but on a comprehensive examination of a child’s developmental history and behavior. If you notice autism signs in your child, early intervention is critical, especially for those between the ages of 2 and 5.
Studies indicate that one out of every four children under 6 is at risk of experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. If you’ve noticed autism symptoms or delays in your child’s development, screenings conducted at 9, 18, and 30 months are recommended. If challenges persist, additional developmental screenings at 24 months may be beneficial.
During your child’s developmental screening, in most cases, you will complete a questionnaire regarding your child’s history and behaviors. Sometimes, the child may also complete a short test. These mini-evaluations act as data to comprehend patterns or deficits in development, including:
- Movement
- Behavior
- Thinking
- Emotions
- Language
If, following this screening, you believe your child might have autism, we can assist you with autism testing and diagnosis. The testing methods employed to diagnose autism are:
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): This analyzes your child’s patterns, paying close attention to repetitive behavior, play, communication, and social skills.
- The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised test: A conversation between you and an expert to better understand your concerns and your child’s behavior.
- The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition: This 15-question test helps determine whether your child may have a condition other than autism. This test is crucial, as behaviors observed in autism can also occur in other conditions, such as ADHD.
- Any additional assessments that can help clarify an autism diagnosis involving your child’s problem-solving, motor skills, hearing, language mastery, and vision.
Start Your Child’s ABA Journey with the Industry’s Top Support
Testing and autism diagnosis are essential first steps toward better outcomes for individuals with neurodiversity. If your child displays autism symptoms or developmental challenges, ABA therapy can be a transformative undertaking. At ABA Centers of Washington, we are here to facilitate a positive diagnostic experience for your child and family.
You can depend on ABA Centers of Washington to facilitate a positive diagnostic experience for your child and family. For more information about ASD services with us, including testing, diagnosis, and ABA therapy, call us at (877) 554-0710.
