Autism Evaluations in Georgetown, TX
for Children and Adolescents.
What it autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder involving difficulties with social communication, sensory sensitivities, social struggles, unusual interests, and unusual and repetitive behaviors.
Autism is a different type of nervous system.
Autism is more than specific behavioral problems, such as poor eye contact and conversations. Autistics have a different type of nervous system.
About 2% of the population is autistic. That means the world is created by non-autistics for non-autistics. Autistics suffer from the mismatch between their brain and the non-autistic world. This mismatch is what creates the “disorder.”
Two percent does not sound like much, but 2% means over 6 million Americans and over 600,000 Texans are autistic are suffering from the social and sensory overload of living in a non-autistic world.
Signs of Autism
Autistics tend to talk passionately about specific topics and not engage in small talk.
Non-autistics use body language to provide information, especially information difficult to describe in words. Autistics find social interactions stressful, and their “body language” is used to regulate that stress. These behaviors might include looking away, hand flapping, excessive fidgeting with materials, or appearing bored.
Unfortunately, due to these differences in communication and social interaction, autistics tend to be rejected by non-autistics peers. Autistic behaviors might come off as blunt, rude, and aloof to non-autistics.
The non-autistic world is stressful and overwhelming for autistics. One of my teenage clients described the world as “full of hellfire.” Thus, many autistics do not enjoy exploring the hellfire world. Instead, they find comfort and security in routines and what is familiar. Watching the same TV shows, playing the same games, having the same conversations, and even taking the same route to school helps them avoid the hellfire.
However, to survive and thrive in a non-autistic world, one must grow out of one's comfort zone. It is an inconvenient truth that autistics must find a way to venture out of hellfire to experience enjoyment, make connections, master marketable skills, and maintain their health. …at least until the world decides to make room for our autistic siblings.
What is neurodiverity?
Neurodiversity is a term typically attributed to Australian Sociologist by Judy Singer.
Neuro diversity refers to the notion that human nervous systems differ significantly from person to person. Consequently, individuals react to situations, relationships, thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges in a variety of ways.
Neurodivergence is about more than ADHD and autism.
Kassiane Asasumasu, an American autism rights advocate, coined the term neurodivergent.
When your nervous system diverges significantly from the “general population” in some way, you are considered neurodivergent.
This means folks with psychiatric diagnoses, neurological disorders, and brain injuries are neurodivergent. People with learning disabilities, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s are also neurodivergent, for example. Neurodivergence can refer to people who have delays, such as someone with Down Syndrome, and disorders, such as someone with schizophrenia.
The problem with neurodivergence is minority stress.
Only about 2% of the global population is autistic.
That means the world is designed with the comfort of non-autistics in mind. That is why the world is very uncomfortable and overwhelming for autistics. This problem is called “minority stress” - the added life stress of being in a minority group. Here are some examples of minority stress autistics experience:
Approximately 85% of autistics adults are unemployed or underemployed.
About 70% of autistic adults have at least one co-occurring mental health condition, such as anxiety and depression.
An estimated only 20% of autistic adults live independently without supervision.
About 66% of autistic adults have experienced suicidal ideation and 35% have attempted suicide.
But there is hope!
Research demonstrates the lives of autistics can improve with intervention and support. There are numerous treatments (medication and non-medication) that produce significant improvement in reducing minority stress and risk for high dependence.
Science-based supports include:
Speech and language therapy to improve language, communication, and articulation skills.
Occupational therapy improves performance in daily tasks, improves motor coordination, and handles sensory sensitivities.
Social skills training equips children with skills to interact and strengthen relationships with neurotypical peers.
CBT helps autistic youth learn skills to reduce anxiety and depression.
RODBT helps autistic teens and young adults overcome anxiety, worry, avoidance, and perfectionism to build a life worth sharing.
Parent training helps equip parents with a unique skill set to raise their autistic child, strengthen the parent-child relationship, and improve parent confidence.
Early intervention and school-based support can improve language, motor, and academic functioning.
How can I help?
A comprehensive neuropsychologival evaluation (“autism testing”) is a helpful first step in developing strategies because it:
Identifies autism as well as common co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and fine motor delays.
Equips you and your child with knowledge about your child’s specific autistic profile.
Supports informed decision-making around medication (Is medication nice-to-have or must-have?)
Provides information on the type of behavioral therapy a child might need. Do they need executive functioning training or anger management? Do they need ABA or RODBT? Do they need behavior therapy focused on themselves or their parents?
Identifies specific educational supports based on your child’s autistic profile, strengths, and weaknesses. The evaluation also supports (not guarantees) qualifying for formal educational support, such as a 504 Plan or IEP.
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is an investment in your child’s future.
I understand that the cost of an evaluation is significant. Just like braces are a one-time investment for oral health, my comprehensive assessments aim to be a one-time investment that delivers a clear and thorough understanding of your or your loved one’s strengths, difficulties, and needs. This reduces potential future time and money costs on less effective efforts. My evaluation services include:
Minimal waitlist and wait (for now). Can’t wait 12-18 months for an evaluation? I am transitioning from my role at a large, academic children’s hospital. I have a minimal wait time for an assessment, but my caseload is growing and I plan to complete only about 50 evaluations per year. Most clients complete the evaluation process in about a month (from intake to receiving the report).
Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Gain clarity and confidence. My evaluations can include assessments of intelligence, academic, language, motor skills, executive functioning, personality, attention, motivation, emotions, behaviors, social skills, and career interests - far more comprehensive than what you get at an insurance-based psychologist, school, or pediatrician’s office.
A streamlined process. You already have a lot on your plate. Schedule an appointment and complete the online paperwork emailed directly to you. From there, I will walk you through the process step-by-step. Contacting me throughout the process will be as easy as texting.
A prioritized plan. I will give you a focused list of what services to get, who to contact, and an order of priority, limiting the guesswork and stress of finding the right doctors and professionals for your child.
Continued support. Clients who receive evaluation services will receive three free support sessions (a $525 value). Parenting a child with challenges is hard enough. You don’t have to do it alone. I’ll walk with you. Together, we can handle the anxiety and stress of the diagnosis and securing additional services. Some clients even elect to use the sessions for brief, focused counseling to evoke their teenager’s motivation for change or to implement the recommended strategies successfully. Most children (aged 8+) will receive their own affirming results session to move toward self-acceptance and boost motivation to engage in treatment.
How It Works
Step 1.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation or contact me using the form below.
Step 2.
We will briefly discuss your challenges and goals and my services during our 15-minute conversation.
Step 3.
If you decide to proceed, my friendly staff will contact you to schedule an intake appointment and complete the initial paperwork.
Step 4.
Our intake appointment we will develop a counseling treatment plan (or evaluation plan) based on an in-depth interview with a parent (or yourself for adults) covering topics such as challenges, developmental history, medical history, and educational history.
Are you ready to get started?
Click this link to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the form below to contact me today. Please note I only complete about 50 evaluations per year. While there may be a brief waitlist, I encourage you to reach out to try and catch an opening.