WHAT IS AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by developmental delays characterized by difficulty with social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive or restricted play/behaviors, rigidity, and/or sensory sensitivities.
With the DSM 5 changes, Autism Spectrum Disorders will have 3 levels that differentiate an individual on the spectrum according to his/her needs for care and support. Each individual on the Spectrum is different.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD SEEK AN EVALUATION?
- Avoiding eye contact
- Delayed speech and communication
- Repetitive behavior (rocking or spinning)
- Restricted interests
- Limited non-verbal gestures (pointing)
- Repetitive speech
- Rigidity
- Difficulty with transitions and changes
- A lack of pretend play
- Difficulty with interactive play skills
- Difficulty “reading the room”
- Exhausted after social gatherings
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE EVALUATION PROCESS?
Parents and/or client will attend a 1 hour intake session which is typically conducted via telehealth. The purpose of the intake session is to review consent forms, to discuss history and presenting concerns, to determine the type of evaluation that is recommended, and to schedule the evaluation. Depending on the age of the client, the intake session will include the client and/or the parent(s). During the evaluation, caregivers will fill out parent-report measures and participate in a structured interview to provide more information regarding the client’s development and presenting concerns. These interviews are generally conducted via telehealth, and client does not need to be present. During the evaluation, the individual will have one or two in-office testing appointment to assess for Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, and or Autism Spectrum Disorder. During the evaluation, the client will be given a cognitive test which is determined by their age. The cognitive measures administered at Legacy Center include:
- Bayley Scales of Infant Development Fourth Edition (Bayley -4)
- Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV)
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults Fifth Edition (WAIS-5)
Additionally, adaptive testing will be conducted. Adaptive testing is generally completed by the parents in either a standard interview or rating form format. The adaptive measure administered by Legacy Center includes:
- Vineland-3
The client will also be administered the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition (ADOS-2) which is play and interaction based assessment used to assess for the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, parents will undergo a comprehensive interview for symptomology related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Most often the structured interview utilized is the Autism Spectrum Disorder – Parent Interview (ASD-PI).
Parent and/or teacher report measures will also be sent out to assess for a variety of areas including mood, behavior, social skills, etc. Although the measures sent out may vary from client-to-client, the most common measures we send is the BASC-4 and SRS-2.
Please bring snacks and water for yourself and/or the client. Once all appointments (in-office and telehealth) have been completed, and once all report measures have been submitted, a telehealth feedback session will scheduled. Typically feedback sessions are completed one-to-two weeks following the last date of testing, as long as all report measures are completed. During the feedback session, the provider will review the results, diagnoses, and recommendations for treatment.