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. If you’ve noticed autism signs or suspect your child may be experiencing autism symptoms, it’s essential to act promptly. 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. That’s why we 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

1. Reach Out – Call us for a preliminary consultation to discuss options for autism testing. Share your observations about autism signs or autism symptoms with our specialists, and explain your unique situation. We will also verify your insurance coverage to determine your benefits and explore available appointments that suit your schedule.

2. 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). These tests are designed to assess potential autism symptoms in a friendly, inviting setting to ensure optimal comfort. This process typically takes two to four hours.

3. Data Analysis and Critical Review – After the evaluation, our specialists analyze and review the data results. This process helps us identify patterns or developmental deficits, such as communication challenges or repetitive behaviors, which are common autism signs. Generally, this review takes one to two weeks.

4. 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. Identifying autism symptoms early is critical for effective intervention, especially in children 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 on key autism signs and 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.

Start Your Child’s ABA Journey Today

If your child exhibits autism signs, developmental delays, or a general lack of interaction, don’t wait. We may be able to get you the answers you need to move forward quickly. Contact us or call (877) 771-5725 for a free consultation or any questions about the autism diagnosis process.