Depending on where you go, evaluations can be a grueling process that takes several months and may not result in an acceptable medical diagnosis.
Diagnostic Evaluations
Before beginning treatment, your child will need a medical autism diagnosis which is accomplished by going through a diagnostic evaluation. It’s important that your child receives an evaluation from a qualified provider. At EBH, our licensed psychologist has received extensive training in neurodevelopmental (e.g., autism, ADHD), trauma, and mental health evaluations and treatment.
We do our best to accelerate the timeline of our comprehensive evaluations while following best clinical practices. Our evaluation process is thorough and leads to appropriate service recommendations based on the results of the evaluation and your child’s diagnosis.
We know how important it is to get your child treatment as soon as possible, so we will provide you with a detailed report within 2 weeks of the evaluation.
We provide comprehensive evaluations for toddlers, children, teens, and adults in a variety of areas.
Why is an Autism Diagnosis Important?
An autism diagnosis can be important for a number of reasons. Not only does it provide diagnostic answers, but it also opens the door to a number of interventions (e.g., therapy, ABA, etc.). By getting an evaluation, parents/guardians help their child build a team of specialists that support the child in reaching their full potential. It can also help to ensure that a child receives the early intervention services that they need. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and research has shown that early intervention can make a big difference in terms of outcomes.
Types of Evaluations
There are many types of evaluations that can be used during the autism diagnosis process. Not sure what type of evaluation is needed? Our Licensed Psychologist will consult with you to determine what type of evaluation would be best suited for you or your child’s specific needs. Contact us today to get started with autism diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic Evaluations
Autism Evaluations
Autism evaluations are used to determine whether an individual meets diagnostic criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Early intervention can be vital in helping children with autism develop the skills they need to manage their co-occurring mental health conditions. Autism evaluations typically involve the clinician observing behavior, interviewing parents, reviewing completed diagnostic measures/questionnaires, and reviewing medical records. The goal of autism evaluations is to obtain comprehensive information about the individual in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Our autism evaluations are conducted and/or overseen by a licensed psychologist.
Schedule an autism evaluation with us today!
Diagnostic Evaluations
Neurodevelopmental Evaluations
A neurodevelopmental evaluation is a type of assessment that is used to evaluate how well a child is developing physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. It can be used to identify neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The evaluation usually includes developmental testing, clinical interview, review of completed diagnostic measures/questionnaires, and a review of medical records. The goal of the evaluation is to help parents understand the child’s strengths and areas of need so they can provide them with the best possible care.
Schedule a neurodevelopmental evaluation with us today!
Diagnostic Evaluations
Mental Health and Trauma Evaluations
Mental health evaluations can help determine if there are other mental health conditions affecting the individual with autism. Common conditions that co-occur with autism include anxiety, depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and ADHD.
In addition, trauma evaluations are an important part of understanding the needs of children with autism. Children with autism often experience trauma, whether it is due to bullying, abuse/neglect, or other traumatic events. A trauma evaluation can help identify whether the child meets diagnostic criteria for a trauma-related diagnosis and to ensure that the treatment they receive targets their trauma symptoms so they can receive the care and support they need to heal.
Schedule a mental health or trauma evaluation with us today!
Diagnostic Evaluations
Telehealth and Virtual Evaluations
Telehealth/Virtual autism evaluations provide families with access to quality autism specialists who may not be available in their area. These evaluations can help to identify the child’s strengths and areas of concern. Our virtual autism evaluations take place over secure video so that clinicians can fully observe neurodevelopmental behaviors. Some families worry that their children will not receive a quality ASD evaluation via telehealth. With the COVID-19 pandemic, leading autism researchers around the world worked together to create telehealth ASD assessments specifically so children could continue to receive quality ASD evaluations and obtain a diagnosis for services.
Schedule a virtual autism evaluation with us today!
Diagnostic Evaluations
Our Evaluation Process
We strive to make our evaluation process as simple as possible for everyone involved. That’s why we’ve streamlined the process so that it can be completed efficiently and effectively. We hope that this makes things easier for everyone involved.
1) Clinical Interview
Clinical interview with parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s). We can do this virtually and accommodate any schedule.
2) Patient Intake Questionnaire
We will need this information to understand the context of why you are considering ABA therapy for your child.
3) Direct Evaluation & Results
Once we complete the diagnostic evaluation, our diagnostic team will provide you a detailed report with the results, diagnosis (if any), and recommendations for services.
Common Assessments for Autism
Our autism assessment tools are individualized to each patient’s needs and vary based on the family’s reason for seeking a diagnosis. While we do use the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), and IQ testing we also use a variety of diagnostic tools. Below are some of the common tools used during a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Meet Our Psychologist
Dr. Jazmin Burns
Dr. Burns is a native of Sacramento, California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Literature, Criticism, and Theory, as well as obtained her minor in Psychology in 2013. In 2015, she started her graduate program at Alliant International University in Sacramento, where she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology in 2017 and her Doctor of Psychology degree in 2019.
Read MoreDr. Burns began working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) in 2010 when she was a volunteer and research assistant at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Dr. Burns also worked as an ABA Behavioral Technician while completing her undergraduate degree. She continued working at the UC Davis MIND Institute for several years and received extensive training in NDDs under some of the leading ASD researchers and clinicians in the field. Dr. Burns joined the EBH team in the Fall of 2021 and relocated to San Antonio from Sacramento. She has started EBH’s first Psychology and Diagnostic Department so families can have a streamlined, one-stop-shop experience of coming to EBH, receiving an ASD diagnosis, then starting ABA therapy. Dr. Burns has experience working with individuals across the developmental lifespan with a variety of diagnoses in clinic-based and community-based settings.
Dr. Burns has a passion for increasing access to care for children and families, advocating on their behalf, and providing families with psychoeducation regarding diagnoses, school rights (e.g., Independent Education Plans), and providing resources so families can feel more confident and competent in supporting their child. She continues the work she started in California by virtually seeing patients through her private practice. She is also the co-facilitator for Sankofa, a free parent support group for families raising African American children with NDDs. Previously, she served as California’s Children’s Mental Health Champion, a program funded by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). As a Champion, Dr. Burns worked to develop state-specific work plans to implement effective strategies for mental health promotion, prevention supports, and the creation of networks (e.g., school, healthcare, and community) to promote better inter- and intra-system connections.
In her free time, Dr. Burns enjoys spending time with her family, playing videogames, watching TV/movies, singing, cooking, trying new foods, and traveling.
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- How long does the overall evaluation take and what does it consist of?
The evaluation process consists of three parts: intake meeting, testing/assessment, and a feedback session. The intake meeting ranges from 1-2 hours, testing ranges from 3-8 hours (depending on the referral question and whether the evaluation is remote/telehealth or in-person), and a 1-hour feedback session. The family will also get a report explaining the test results and recommendations.
- What is the turnaround time between an evaluation and the report?
Reports are typically completed within two weeks; however, it could take longer to complete a report if parent and/or patient rating forms are not completed in a timely manner.
- What kind of testing should I and/or my child expect?
Parent/caregivers should be prepared to complete several parent questionnaires and complete a thorough background history regarding the patient, while the child/adolescent/young adult will be completing cognitive and autism assessments, as well as completing questionnaires.
- How much does the evaluation cost?
EBH has private pay options and accepts a number of insurance providers including Tricare, Aetna, Beacon Health Options, Optum, Magellan, Humana, and several others options. Please contact us to see if your insurance is accepted or to determine the cost of the evaluation.
- What happens after the evaluation is complete?
Depending on the test results, the diagnostic team will make recommendations that can consist of ABA therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or feeding services.
- Do you only do ASD testing?
In addition to ASD, we assess other neurodevelopmental diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, intellectual disability), as well as mental health diagnoses (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, etc.).
ADOS-2: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardized assessment used for autism spectrum disorder and is considered the gold standard for autism diagnosis. The ADOS-2 consists of four modules, each of which assesses different areas of social and communicative abilities. The modules are administered in a semi-structured play format, and children are observed as they interact with the psychologist. ADOS-2 can be used with children as young as 12 months old.
CARS-2: Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2nd Edition
The CARS-2 is a well-validated measure of autism severity that can be completed by parents or clinicians. The items cover a broad range of symptoms, including social relatedness, communication, repetitive/stereotyped behaviors, and abnormal sensory responses. Higher scores indicate more severe autism symptoms. The CARS-2 has also been shown to be sensitive to changes in autism symptoms over time so it can be used to track progress.
GARS-3: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 3rd Edition
The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 3rd Edition (GARS-3) is a widely used and valuable tool for assessing autism symptoms in children and adults. The scale includes items that address core deficits in social interaction, fixated interests, repetitive behaviors, and communication difficulties. The assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete and higher scores indicate more severe autism symptoms.
M-CHAT-R/F: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
The M-CHAT is a tool that can help predict whether a child 16-30 months old is at risk for autism spectrum disorder. While the M-CHAT-R/F is not a diagnostic test, it can be a helpful tool for parents who are concerned about their child’s development.
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