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In our ongoing efforts to meet the increasing needs of our families and the autism community in the Chicagoland area, we are proud to offer diagnostic evaluation services for autism. Through our partnership with AMS Wellness, comprehensive autism evaluations and re-evaluations for insurance companies are now available without a lengthy waiting period.
The AMS Wellness team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that will provide the family with the diagnosis and thorough treatment plan to support the child in the home and school setting. The evaluation will include an interview with the caregivers, and standardized autism tests, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2), among additional measures that will be discussed during the intake appointment. The ADOS-2 is recognized as the field’s current “gold standard” for diagnosing autism spectrum. After the testing evaluation, the legal guardians will receive a thorough report at the feedback session to receive diagnostic clarification and tailored treatment recommendations.
The AMS Wellness team has a plethora of experience in a variety of settings including private and public schools, outpatient counseling centers, psychiatric hospitals, and medical clinics. Psychologists will be able to provide educational advocacy in public or private schools to create goals for their child or adolescent to access their curriculum through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Section 504 plan. A tailored treatment plan will provide accommodations and modifications to support their academic success.
Early intervention for autism spectrum is vital for your child to reach their full potential. Research supports that early intervention can address communication and speech, gross and fine motor skills, sensory integration, independence, social skills, etc. A comprehensive evaluation will provide the legal guardians with more information about what treatment options are optimal for their child. Within a team approach, we will tailor recommendations to meet the unique needs of your child for their overall success.
The mission at AMS Wellness is to assist individuals and families to identify, understand, and overcome the barriers that impede their journey toward overall wellness. The staff strives to help individuals and families feel they are reaching their fullest potential in all areas of life. They believe in tailoring treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual to reach their personalized goals.
AMS Wellness is currently in-network with a variety of insurances and offers bilingual testing services. They have locations in Burr Ridge, IL and Naperville, IL, and their team is also providing evaluations onsite in our BY YOUR SIDE Darien, IL center on specific days each week. For more information about AMS Wellness and their staff, please click HERE. If you are looking to schedule an evaluation, please call (630) 891-3027 or click HERE to submit an online request.
We are also proud to offer diagnostic evaluation services through our partnership with Dr. Alan Graham (PhD) and his team at ACP Consultants, without a lengthy waiting period.
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 in the Chicagoland area, 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.
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