Autism Diagnostic Evaluation
Understanding Autism and the Evaluation Process
Many families and individuals seek clarity through an autism diagnostic evaluation. The Autism Diagnostic Evaluation Service at the Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy provides comprehensive autism assessments for toddlers, children, teens, and adults. Whether you’re looking for answers, a formal diagnosis, or a roadmap for support, we’re here to help you find the clarity and support you need.
What Is an Autism Diagnostic Evaluation?
An autism diagnostic evaluation is a thorough assessment designed to determine whether someone meets the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At Center for CBT, we use gold-standard assessment tools to provide diagnostic clarity and create personalized, evidence-based recommendations for care that address each person’s unique needs.
Signs It May Be Time to Get an Autism Assessment
Autism presents differently across ages. If you’re noticing any of the following signs, it may be helpful to consider an autism assessment:
Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers:
- Limited verbal communication
- Reduced use of gestures (e.g., pointing, waving)
- Minimal facial expressions for communication
Common Signs of Autism in Children:
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Trouble with conversation and back-and-forth dialogue
- Challenges with imaginative or cooperative play with peers
- Intense tantrums, aggression, or self-injury
- Struggles with changes in routine
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g., no cloths with tags, picky about clothing textures)
- Difficulty following directions or multitasking
Common Signs of Autism in Teens and Adults:
- Trouble understanding others’ thoughts or emotions
- Taking things very literally
- Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
- Rigid routines or difficulty with change
- Repetitive behaviors or intense interests
In addition, individuals with autism may also experience:
- Anxiety
- Feeding and toileting challenges
- Sleep disturbances
- Delays in daily self-care skills
How an Autism Diagnostic Evaluation Can be Helpful
If you or your child is experiencing challenges and you’re unsure why, it can be overwhelming to not know where to turn. An autism evaluation can offer valuable insights into your child’s strengths and needs—including whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate.
For children and adolescents, a formal diagnosis often helps unlock access to:
- School-based services and accommodations (IEPs or 504 plans)
- Effective therapies, such as ABA, speech therapy, or occupational therapy
- Insurance-covered treatments and supports
For adults, a diagnosis can offer clarity, self-understanding, and tools for navigating:
- Higher education or workplace challenges
- Social and emotional relationships
- Daily living and executive functioning
01 Initial Intake The process begins with a parent interview to obtain a thorough understanding of your child, their developmental history, and the concerns you have.
02 Record Review We will review all relevant documents, such as prior test results, medical records, or report cards, to provide context for your concerns. We will also ask parents (and teachers, if applicable) to complete standardized questionnaires.
03 Child Appointments Your child will participate in a series of activities, some of which are play-based and that they may find fun. Your psychologist will administer the ADOS-2, a gold standard tool used in autism evaluations to assess social-communicative and repetitive behaviors. The psychologist may also assess cognitive and language skills, depending on the appropriateness for your child.
04 Feedback After completion of the evaluation and forms, parents will attend a feedback session to review the results and to discuss treatment recommendations. We will provide education about your child’s diagnosis and ways you can support them. These recommendations will include a clear and practical plan of action, including a detailed explanation of suggested strategies. We can also provide referrals for follow-up services, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), occupational therapy (OT), or continued support from psychologists on our team (e.g., parent training, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)).
05 Comprehensive Report You will receive a detailed report summarizing the results of the evaluation, including your child’s background history, test results and their interpretations, a formal diagnosis if applicable, and individualized recommendations.
Support After Your Autism Diagnosis
We’re committed to helping you access continued support and care after your evaluation. Depending on your needs, we can:
- Attend IEP meetings to support school accommodations
- Offer treatment through our own Autism Services Program for continued support from psychologists on our team
- Refer you to trusted providers for applied behavior analysis (ABA), OT, speech, or other therapies
Frequently Asked Questions about
Autism Evaluations
How many meetings are there?
Most autism evaluations include 3 meetings: an initial parent interview, a child meeting, and a parent feedback session. These are described in detail above (see Diagnostic Evaluations)
Do you use the ADOS-2 for the autism diagnostic evaluation?
We recognize that there are a number of valid ways to assess and diagnose autism. Our team uses the ADOS-2 in evaluations, which is considered a gold-standard tool for autism assessment and diagnosis.
I’m an adult and I wonder if I am autistic. Can you help?
Yes, of course! Autism is increasingly being diagnosed in adulthood. You may have been wondering for some time if you may be on the spectrum and want to find out the answer. We conduct formal evaluations and, if appropriate, provide an autism diagnosis. Our team has specialized training in the assessment and diagnosis of adults and will customize the evaluation process to your specific situation.
This sounds overwhelming! Is it really?
Families with children who have autism often face many challenges, from navigating social or behavioral difficulties to finding the best support services. Our team is here to help you and your family. When you have an autism evaluation with us, you will be paired with a psychologist on our team who will serve as your point person from beginning to end. Your psychologist will guide you from the evaluation itself through determining the best steps to take after receiving the results.
Thinking About an Autism Evaluation?
An autism evaluation can be an important step in getting the clarity and support you need, and our team of psychologists is here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more and schedule an intake appointment, contact us to speak with our Intake Coordinator.