Autism Diagnosis in Columbus, OH
Does your child show signs of Autism or other mental health disorders such as ADD/ADHD, Intellectual Disability, or Specific Learning Disabilities? Empower specialists can provide testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder and other diagnoses. Now accepting new clients!
What to Expect from Autism Testing and Other Testing with Empower Behavioral Health and Intervention: A Comprehensive Approach for Autism, ADD/ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, and Specific Learning Disorders
If you’re considering autism testing (or other testing) for your child, you may be wondering what the process involves. Understanding what to expect can help alleviate concerns and prepare both you and your child for the assessment. Here’s an overview of the process, what to expect during the evaluation, and how the results can guide next steps.
1. Intake for Autism Testing
The first step in the autism testing (or other testing) process begins with the intake process. If you’ve noticed signs of Autism, ADD/ADHD, intellectual disability, or a specific learning disability, such as difficulties with focus, learning, challenges with communication or social interaction, or repetitive behaviors, it’s a good idea to seek advice from your child’s pediatrician, family doctor, or another trusted healthcare professional. Referrals to our intake team can take place by phone or using the online scheduler below.
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2. Initial Consultation with a Professional
Once the intake process is complete, the next step in the autism testing (or other testing) process is an initial consultation with a specialist.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation
The next step in the autism testing (or other testing) process is a more detailed, comprehensive evaluation. This typically includes standardized testing, cognitive and developmental assessments, and behavioral observations.
4. Parental and Teacher Input
As part of the assessment in the testing process, professionals will seek input from both you and other caregivers involved in your child’s daily life via a parent interview and/or teacher/school assessments.
5. Diagnosis and Next Steps
After gathering all necessary information, the professional will review the results and determine if your child meets the criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis or another or additional diagnosis.
6. Understanding the Results
Once the evaluation is complete, the next step in the autism testing (or other testing) process is a meeting in which the specialist discusses the results with the parent/guardian. The results of the assessment will give you a clearer understanding of your child’s needs and how best to support their growth.
7. Follow-Up and Support
No matter the diagnosis, each child’s needs and strengths can widely vary. Your child may benefit from ongoing therapy, educational support, and parent support. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in helping children with autism, ADD/ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and specific learning disorders thrive, and ongoing support ensures that your child receives the care and resources they need.
Final Thoughts
Testing and diagnosis can be a daunting process, but it provides important insights into your child’s development and opens doors to the right resources and interventions. Remember, the goal is to understand your child better and to help them reach their fullest potential with the right support and strategies.
We hope this brief outline provides the diagnostic services and resources available to you and your child. At Empower, our mission is to ensure success in the home, school, workplace, and community. In order to develop an appropriate plan for success, we must start with an evaluation. We look forward to serving you and your family.
Payment for Psychological Services
Given that a psychological evaluation (or Autism diagnosis or Autism testing) includes the administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests, the cost for an evaluation is determined by the number of hours required to complete the full evaluation process.
Insurance companies and Medicaid may pay all, or part of the costs associated with a psychological evaluation. Prior to beginning the evaluation, an Empower billing representative will help determine if your insurance plan covers psychological testing.
We also recommend you contact your insurance company to determine if your particular insurance plan covers psychological evaluation. For further information about our services, please call 614-470-2018.