Testing for Autism and Developmental Disorders
Developmental assessments can help to identify cognitive and adaptive deficits (e.g., Intellectual Disabilities), as well as deficits in social-emotional development (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders, including High Functioning Autism formerly known as Asperger’s syndrome) that impair the functioning of children and adults across the domains of home, school, work, and social/community environments.
Developmental assessments are usually done because of a concern that the child may have a developmental delay or disorder. The assessments include measures of cognitive ability, adaptive skills, social/emotional and behavioral functioning. By evaluating and documenting areas of functioning or disability, these assessments are useful both in the development of intervention plans and treatment recommendations, and in establishing eligibility for services, accommodations, and benefits.
Dr. Brandie Bartlett is trained in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2), a semi-structured, standardized assessment of communication, social interaction, play, and restricted and repetitive behaviors, for use with children as young as age 2, as well as adults. By observing and coding these behaviors, we obtain information that informs diagnosis, intervention, treatment planning, and educational placement. The ADOS-2 represents the state-of-the-art evaluation procedure for the assessment of autism across the lifespan.
Dr. Bartlett evaluates individuals as young as age 2 for questions related to possible Autism, and as young as age 3 for questions of cognitive ability and adaptive functioning.