Early Signs Your Child May Need Autism Testing
Every child develops in their own way. One toddler may chatter through breakfast while another observes quietly and communicates with gestures. A preschooler may love lining up toy cars, while another turns every object into a pretend adventure. Differences alone are not a diagnosis. Still, when parents repeatedly notice differences in communication, social connection, play, […]
How Can Schools Accommodate a Child With ADHD in Orlando, FL?
Quick answer: Schools in Orlando and across Florida can support a child with ADHD through a Section 504 plan (accommodations such as extra time, preferential seating, movement breaks and chunked assignments) or, if ADHD affects learning enough to need specially designed instruction, an IEP under the "other health impairment" category. A current ADHD evaluation helps […]
What Mental Functions Are Assessed in a Neuropsychological Exam?
A neuropsychological exam measures attention, processing speed, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, executive functions, motor skills and intellectual ability, plus mood and behavior.
What type of test is used to diagnose autism?
Quick answer: No single test diagnoses autism. Clinicians combine a detailed developmental interview, direct observation with a standardized tool such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), rating scales such as the SRS-2, and often cognitive and language testing. The diagnosis is based on DSM-5-TR criteria, using all of this information together. What may seem […]
What is the Difference Between a Neuropsychological Test and a Psychological Test?
Quick answer: Psychological tests focus on emotions, personality, behavior and learning, for example to diagnose depression, anxiety, a learning disability or giftedness. Neuropsychological tests measure specific thinking skills, such as memory, attention, processing speed and executive function, and relate them to brain health. Many evaluations, including adult autism and ADHD assessments, use both. In the […]
How do I Prepare for a Neuropsychological Test?
Quick answer: To prepare for a neuropsychological test, sleep well the night before, eat a normal meal, take your usual medications unless your doctor says otherwise, and bring glasses, hearing aids, a list of medications and any previous records or reports. You cannot study for the tests; the goal is to see how you perform […]
Three Main Symptoms of Autism
Quick answer: The three main symptom areas traditionally linked with autism are differences in social interaction, differences in communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. The current DSM-5-TR combines social interaction and communication into one area, so a diagnosis now requires persistent social communication differences plus restricted, repetitive behaviors, which include sensory sensitivities. Since […]
How do Pediatricians Diagnose Autism?
Quick answer: Pediatricians screen for autism at well-child visits, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening, such as the M-CHAT-R/F questionnaire, at 18 and 24 months. If screening raises concerns, the pediatrician refers the child to a specialist, such as a psychologist, developmental pediatrician or child neurologist, for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Autism […]
What are Symptoms of Level 1 Autism?
Quick answer: Level 1 autism ("requiring support") means noticeable differences in social communication, such as trouble starting conversations or reading social cues, plus inflexible routines or difficulty switching between activities, that cause real problems without support. People at level 1 usually speak in full sentences and may do well at school or work, but often […]
What are the 12 Signs of Autism in Adults?
Quick answer: Common signs of autism in adults include difficulty with small talk and unspoken social rules, taking language literally, strong preferences for routine, intense interests, sensory sensitivities, needing time alone to recover after socializing, and a history of feeling different from peers. Having some of these signs is not a diagnosis; a professional evaluation […]