Autism Screening & Testing
At Wellshore Psychology, our approach to autism screening and testing is thorough, compassionate, and evidence-based. Our comprehensive process is not about labels but designed to identify strengths, needs, and provide meaningful recommendations for intervention and support.
We aim to provide families with a clear understanding of their child's profile. We understand pathological demand avoidance (PDA) profiles and have extensive experience in second opinions and complex profiles.
We also offer evaluations for teens and adults. Our providers are experienced in later in life diagnoses and understand the associated challenges, such as masking.
What to Expect from Our Autism Evaluation Services
At Wellshore Psychology, our autism screening and diagnostic evaluations are grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming approach that recognizes autism as a natural variation in how individuals think, communicate, and experience the world. Our goal is to provide clarity and understanding while honoring each child’s unique strengths, differences, and support needs.
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Initial Consultation and Developmental History: We begin with an in-depth conversation to understand your child’s developmental history, strengths, interests, and areas of concern. This includes early milestones, social-emotional development, communication styles, sensory experiences, and any previous evaluations. This strengths-based history helps us tailor the assessment process to your child as a whole person.
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Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation: Our evaluations include direct observation, standardized assessments, rating scales, and clinical interviews. We use gold-standard tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and MIGDAS, interpreted through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, to understand social communication, interaction styles, and patterns of behavior across contexts.
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Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Approach: Evaluations are conducted by licensed psychologists with specialized experience in autism assessment. When helpful, we collaborate with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, and other providers to develop a comprehensive understanding of each child’s developmental profile and co-occurring needs.
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Observation and Naturalistic Interaction: We observe children in both structured and play-based settings, allowing us to see how they communicate, engage socially, and express themselves in ways that feel authentic. Our focus is on understanding how a child interacts with their environment—not on forcing neurotypical behaviors.
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Clear, Strengths-Based Feedback and Report: Families receive a detailed, easy-to-understand report that explains findings and diagnostic conclusions when applicable. Reports highlight strengths alongside support needs and include individualized, practical recommendations for therapies, educational supports, and accommodations.
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Collaborative Family Support: We recognize that receiving an autism diagnosis can bring many emotions. We provide supportive guidance to help families understand the diagnosis, celebrate their child’s strengths, and navigate next steps. Collaboration with schools and other providers supports educational planning, including IEPs and 504 plans when appropriate.
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Follow-Up and Ongoing Resources: After the evaluation, we offer follow-up consultations and resources to support ongoing development. Recommendations are flexible and may evolve as a child grows, ensuring support remains responsive and affirming.
At Wellshore Psychology, we are committed to providing a compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming assessment experience that helps families better understand their child and access meaningful supports that promote growth, self-confidence, and well-being.
Check out our blog on "What is Psychoeducational Testing and Could It Help My Child?"