Autism Evaluation
Autism Evaluation
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interactions. Autistic individuals may have difficulties with social cues, may prefer routines, and might engage in repetitive behaviors. Each autistic person is unique, exhibiting a wide range of strengths and challenges. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective support and intervention.
When to Consider an Evaluation
You might consider an autism evaluation if you or your child display some of the following behaviors:
Social Challenges: Difficulty understanding social cues, making eye contact, or engaging in back-and-forth conversations.
Communication Differences: Delays in speech and language development, challenges with initiating or maintaining conversations, or using repetitive language.
Repetitive Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking) or having a strong preference for routines and specific interests.
Sensory Sensitivities: Over- or under-reacting to sensory experiences, such as lights, sounds, textures, or tastes.
Difficulty with Change: High levels of distress when routines are disrupted or when faced with new situations.
If you notice these signs consistently across different settings (home, school, social situations), it may be time to seek an evaluation.
What to Expect
Our evaluation begins with an initial intake where we discuss your concerns and gather background information about your child’s developmental and medical history, communication skills, and social interactions. We employ a variety of assessment tools, including questionnaires, information from parents and teachers, and standardized testing to gather a comprehensive view of your child's functioning.
The Evaluation Process
Initial Intake: We spend an hour together online, discussing your concerns, getting background information about developmental and medical history, school performance, and social interactions. We also discuss your goals for the evaluation.
Comprehensive Assessment: We utilize standardized tests and observational methods to assess attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, as well as cognitive, academic and social functioning. We spend the day working with your child in person in the testing setting so we can also observe their behaviors and how they engage in the testing process.
Parent and Teacher Input: We value your insights and the perspectives of those who interact with your child daily. This collaborative approach ensures that we capture a full picture of your child’s behavior across different settings. We use rating scales and information forms to get this information.
Feedback Session: After the evaluation, we will schedule a detailed feedback session that happens about 2 weeks after testing. Here, I will explain the results, discuss any diagnoses, and outline recommendations tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Why Choose Us?
Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and resources to support your child. We understand that every child is different, and our approach is individualized, focusing on building strengths and addressing challenges. Our evaluations are not just about diagnosing autism; they’re about providing actionable insights that can enhance your child’s development and well-being.
Get Started Today
If you suspect that your child may be exhibiting signs of autism, or if you simply want to better understand their behavior, we are here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward supporting your child's journey.
Please note: We do not offer evaluations for custody. Wait times for testing are typically 6-8 weeks.
For more information on what to expect during evaluation please visit our FAQ page.
Payment Information
Private Pay
Dr. McDonald does not take insurance, but does provide superbills for potential reimbursement, in the case that your insurance company covers our out-of-network services. This allows us to spend more time helping YOU. Insurance often doesn’t cover learning disorder testing anyway- so this saves us both time. Payment plans are available. Not taking insurance allows me to avoid arguing with a stranger over whether they’ll pay for testing and/or treatment. It also protects your confidentiality and privacy.
FSA/HSA
If you have a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use the card associated with that account to pay for testing services. You can also pay by check or credit card and submit your receipt for reimbursement.
Late/ No Show Fees
Late cancellation/no-show fee for testing is $250 for testing appointments not cancelled prior to 48 hours before the appointment time. This is due to the fact that testing requires a day-long appointment. You will be required to complete all paperwork prior to 48 hours before the appointment and to keep a credit card on file.
Late cancellation/no-show fee is $75 for therapy appointments not cancelled prior to 24 hours before the appointment time.
Submit Your Own Claim
You can submit your claim on your own for possible reimbursement.This is a work around for providers who are “out of network.” The general steps for this process are as follows:
01. Call your insurance company. Ask them about your out of network benefits and what your deductible is. Ask them about the percentage of the visit cost you might be reimbursed for.
02. We will provide you with a “superbill” after your testing is complete (or monthly for therapy clients). This provides you the CPT codes for our sessions and diagnostic codes.
03. Submit the superbill to your insurance company.
Payment Terms
* Dr. McDonald charges a flat fee for testing and an hourly rate for therapy. We accept cash, check, or credit card payments. A credit card on file is required to hold your appointment. Half of the testing fee is collected at intake, and the remainder at feedback.