EARLY CHILDHOOD ASD ASSESSMENTS
In most areas of healthcare, early detection often leads to more effective treatment and better outcomes. That’s common sense and good medicine in general. In the case of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the concept is critical. Because if a child is on the spectrum, the sooner they can be identified, the sooner they can start receiving specialized resources.
Those resources can include services like applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, therapies like speech/language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy, as well as access to assistive technologies and programs like Early Steps, Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship, and others.
But there’s no fast, easy blood test that tells doctors if someone has ASD. Diagnosing ASD requires an assessment, performed by a trained clinician, based on the patient’s behavior and other factors. And the behavior of an infant or toddler is hard to analyze. They haven’t even mastered language skills at that age.
Up to now, parents who suspected a child might be showing signs of ASD had to wait months, even years, for an official assessment. That assessment is the document that determines whether the child qualifies for specialized services—and, if so, which ones. So the sooner the assessment can be completed, the better.
Allison Cato, Ph.D., in-house neuropsychologist at Hope Haven
But how do you evaluate a child for ASD if they’re too young to even speak?
Dr. Allison Cato, Ph.D., in-house neuropsychologist at Hope Haven, has perfected a methodology for identifying ASD patients earlier than ever—as early as 18 months.
First piloted at Hope Haven in 2019, the methodology allows staff to complete the ASD evaluation within a week, and be prepared for discussion of results in as little as two weeks. Findings can typically be documented and reviewed with the family two weeks later. That means kids who need those specialized ASD services can get them much sooner, when they can help the most.
Dr. Cato also provides a wide range of other assessments, including IQ testing, psychoeducational evaluations, and comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. If you suspect a child might be showing signs of ASD or other development issues, or to set up a tour, contact Hope Haven at 904-346-5100.