Are You Or Your Child In Need Of Autism Support?

Do you or your child struggle with social cues, changes to your routine, or maintaining eye contact?

Are sensory experiences—including lights, tastes, and textures—often overwhelming?

And have you ever suspected or been told by a doctor that you or your child may be on the Autism Spectrum?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological developmental disorder that presents in a variety of ways. Asperger’s Syndrome was once considered its own diagnosis but now falls under the spectrum of ASD. Regardless of the severity of symptoms, testing is typically required to confirm a diagnosis of autism. 

Common Signs Of Autism

Because autism exists on a spectrum, it can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between various ASD diagnoses, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and mood disorders like anxiety and depression. However, there are some symptoms specific to those with autism, including:

• Extreme resistance to changes in daily activities or routine
• Poor eye contact
• Difficulty understanding the feelings and intentions of others, including trouble interpreting sarcasm
• Not wanting to be touched or held
• Distress related to loud noises or other sudden changes in the ambiance/environment 
• Echolalia, or repeating certain words and phrases
• Repetitive movements and tics
• Intense obsession with particular topics or objects

Even if a diagnosis of ASD is present, individuals with autism cannot receive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy if the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) test isn’t used to confirm a diagnosis. This can cause individuals with autism to miss out on effective and adequate treatment. 

Fortunately, at Caring Therapists, we are autism testing specialists who use the most sophisticated assessments—including the ADOS, among others—to help our clients find the answers they need. Working together, we can put a testing and treatment plan in place that will allow you or your child to thrive.

Why Is Testing Necessary For Diagnosing Autism?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 36 children will be diagnosed with ASD. [1]

While autism occurs across racial and socioeconomic lines, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. ASD presents differently between genders, causing many girls to be misdiagnosed or have their symptoms disregarded. This can also be true for adults of any gender who may have demonstrated mild symptoms as children. Because tests were not as accurate in decades past, many adults with autism are only now discovering their diagnosis. 

An accurate and thorough diagnosis is essential for children, teens, and adults on the Spectrum to receive proper accommodations. Not only can a diagnosis pave the way for individualized educational interventions and adequate support—ADOS testing is specifically required to receive ABA, which is one of the most effective treatment methods for children with autism. 

Our clinicians are passionate about providing testing and ongoing support to clients with autism and their families. Through our autism assessment process, you or your child can receive proper referrals, interventions, and a treatment plan that will allow you to feel more supported and functional in your everyday life. 

Autism Assessments Are Available Through Caring Therapists

The team at Caring Therapists is made up of clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and other clinicians who specialize in psychological/psychoeducational assessments and ongoing support for neurodiverse clients. We are committed to helping you and your family get answers so that you can address and overcome some of the challenges that come with a diagnosis of ASD. 

What To Expect

Our autism assessment process is very thorough. The evaluation itself typically lasts 4 to 6 hours, including interview time. Alongside testing, we will perform clinical interviews with parents and teachers as needed (specifically for our younger clients). 

From there, an extensive written report is made based on your or your child’s history, test results, and potential treatment interventions. Your testing specialist will make recommendations for treatment, accommodations, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), providing necessary referrals to outside clinicians who can offer adequate support. 

We generally refer out for most autism treatment interventions—particularly ABA—but are available to provide ongoing therapy for clients with mild cases. Regardless of where you or your child receive ongoing support, the goal of therapy is to offer individualized coping strategies, bolster social skills, and pave the way for independent living. 

Accurate psychological tests can open doors for children, teens, and adults living with autism. Finding out what is really going on in your unique brain allows you to learn how to rely on your strengths and better function at school, work, and in your everyday life. An official diagnosis of autism can start the next chapter for your family, leading to more awareness, support, and success. 

Common Questions About Autism Testing…

I’m concerned about the cost for an autism evaluation.

We work with both private pay and insurance clients. Visit our Fees and Insurance page to find out more about the cost of ASD evaluations. And note that we partnered with the Step Up program, which provides funds to contribute to autism testing to those who are eligible. You can contact us to find out more about if you qualify.

How quickly can my child/I be seen for an evaluation?

We can typically accommodate most evaluations within a month. To find out more about scheduling, call us at (954) 378 –5381 or submit an appointment request form. 

What if testing does not determine a diagnosis of autism?

Our autism assessments are extremely thorough, and we always screen for other issues in the process. If it’s determined that there is no diagnosis of ASD present, we will make other testing recommendations based on your or your child’s unique symptoms. 

Get Answers So You And Your Family Can Move Forward

At Caring Therapists, we use ADOS and other testing methods to make an accurate and official diagnosis of autism. This can open opportunities for you or your child to receive meaningful accommodations and behavioral interventions. To schedule an assessment with one of our autism evaluation specialists, please fill out an appointment request form. We have office locations throughout Broward County, including in Davie, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or have any questions, please call our office at 954-378-5381  for Broward and 561-223-1066 for Palm Beach or send us an email at info@caringtherapistsofbroward.com.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

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For adults, we specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, couples counseling, college students, psychological testing, women’s issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

For children and teens, we specialize in play therapy, anxiety, depression, mood management, ADHD, ADHD evaluations, trauma therapy, gifted evaluations, teen counseling and social skills therapy.

We service all of Broward County, including Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood, Cooper City, Davie, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs, and Weston.

We service all of Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach & Palm Beach Gardens, including Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Boynton Beach, Westlake, and Lake Worth.