Diagnostic Evaluations

In our ongoing efforts to meet the increasing needs of our families and the autism community, we are proud to offer diagnostic evaluation services for autism. Through our partnership with Dr. Alan Graham, PhD, and his team, autism evaluations are now available without a lengthy waitlist.

Dr. Graham has over three decades of experience helping thousands of children, adolescents, adults, and their families, navigate life’s challenges and gain the tools they need to effectively manage their lives.  This service offers families a new, convenient option for an evaluation, as well as the periodic re-evaluations required by insurance companies.

Through a highly specialized assessment process, Dr. Graham can identify your child’s areas of deficit, obtain the proper diagnosis, and recommend the most effective intervention plan. Within this evaluation, we often include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule- Second Edition (ADOS-2), considered a “gold standard” screening tool to observe the diagnostic behaviors of autism spectrum disorder. This screening tool is designed for children ages 12 months and up, and for individuals of all language functioning abilities, including non-verbal individuals. Each parent will receive a comprehensive report during a feedback session with an ASD assessment specialist, in which treatment recommendations are provided to create a clear path toward growth, development, and support.

Therefore, if your child struggles with social communication and social interaction, and/or restricted, repetitive patterns that inhibit success at home, school, or in social situations, an evaluation may help uncover the cause. Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are varying and often present differently across individuals. Examples of such symptoms may include lacking social-emotional reciprocity skills, such as typical back-and-forth communication, initiating and responding in conversation, or sharing interests or emotions with others. Children within this spectrum may demonstrate repetitive motor movements or speech, insistence on the sameness of routine or difficulty with flexibility, and heightened distress at small changes or transitions. They may also have rigid thought patterns, can be highly fixated on interests with unusual intensity or focus, and may be over or under-stimulated by sensory input in the environment such as temperature, pain, visual, auditory, scent, or tactile preoccupation or sensitivity.

Though many factors that contribute to the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are brain-based and out of our control, there are several factors that indicate positive outcomes that are within our control. These factors include parent involvement, early evaluation and diagnosis, individualized intervention, adequate school support, and community support. As a parent or caretaker who is seeking knowledge and an assessment, you are already contributing to your child’s growth and achievement. The next step toward positive outcomes is a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. Graham is a valuable resource for families, as well as expanding our reach in the community! Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Graham.

If you are looking to schedule your evaluation or learn more about diagnostic services at ACP Consultants, click HERE to schedule directly online or call 847 824-1235.