ABA Centers of Florida Can Test Your Child for Autism
Before beginning ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, your child must obtain an official autism diagnosis. ABA Centers of Florida offers thorough autism screening, autism testing, and autism diagnosis. If your child is showing signs of autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, or even a lack of verbal or social interaction skills, our autism center can help.
If you’ve been researching how to get an autism diagnosis, you’ve probably found it can take months or even years before you can get an official test and diagnosis of autism. At ABA Centers of Florida, we are focusing significant resources on autism diagnosis to eliminate or shorten any wait time.
Our Four-Step Process for Autism Testing and Autism Screening
Call Us
Call us for an initial consultation on autism testing. We will listen to your concerns and ask some initial autism screening questions. We will also verify any insurance benefits that can help you and discuss appointment options.
Analysis and Review
After your autism diagnosis appointment, our medical specialists will review the results of your autism testing session, which usually takes one-to-two weeks.
Initial Evaluation
At your appointment, our clinical team will meet with you and your child. The tests, including the ADOS-2, the current gold standard in autism assessment, are all play/activity-based in a warm, friendly setting. The typical autism screening appointment involves several components and lasts two to four hours.
Diagnosis Report
At a second appointment, we will share our findings and any diagnosis with you, including a written report and recommendations on the treatment of autism, if needed. At ABA Centers of Florida, we pay close attention to the comfort level of your loved one during the autism diagnostic process, and we are generous with our time and support in discussing the results.
Autism Screening, Autism Testing and Autism Diagnosis Tools
There is no medical test to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder. Instead, a child’s developmental history and behavior are studied to make a diagnosis.
Early intervention (2-5 years old) in children with autism is crucial to make sure they receive the proper therapy and support for a successful, independent life.
Developmental Screening
If you’ve noticed any developmental delays in your child, you may want to start with a developmental screening. Children should be given a developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months. Studies show one in four children under the age of 6 is at risk for a developmental delay or disability. If you think your child might have autism, then a developmental screening is recommended at 24 months or other times if challenges continue.
In a developmental screening, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your child, or your child may take a short test. These tests will be used to focus on specific elements of your child’s development, such as:
- Emotions
- Behavior
- Thinking
- Movement
- Language
Autism Testing
If, after a developmental screening, you believe your child may have autism, ABA Centers of Florida can help with autism testing and diagnosis. We may use a variety of testing methods such as:
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a structured observation of your child’s repetitive behavior, play, communication, and social skills
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised test, where a specialist will speak with you about your child’s past and current behaviors related to autism.
- The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition, made up of 15 questions to help determine whether your child has another condition that is not autism.
- Additional evaluations may be used to test your child on cognition, motor skills, language, vision, and hearing.
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