Autism Assessment : Services for People with Disabilities : Jewish Child & Family Services ; Chicago-IL

Autism Assessment:

For many parents, obtaining an accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment plan for a child suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder, can be a confusing process. At Jewish Child & Family Services, the Autism Assessment process works to empower families to help their child reach his or her greatest potential. Our team of qualified clinical professionals lends their expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorders including Asperger’s Syndrome.

With the goal to provide parents with diagnostic clarification and further understanding of their child’s current level of functioning, clinicians provide feedback and a written report, which identifies individualized recommendations for educational placement, speech/language therapy services, occupational therapy services and behavioral interventions. Recommendations are highly specific and may also be used to advocate for the child’s educational placement.

Jewish Child & Family Services provides flexible payment options and insurance billing for Autism Assessment.



We Provide

Developmental Assessment
The comprehensive psychological/developmental assessment is a ten-hour evaluation broken into four scheduled appointments. The first appointment involves a four-hour diagnostic interview with the parent(s) only, and includes administration of the ADI-R and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), an assessment of adaptive functioning. The second and third appointments are two hours each. These appointments involve direct evaluation of the child and include intellectual testing, language testing and administration of the ADOS to assess social functioning. The last appointment provides the parent(s) with clinical recommendations and feedback.

The ADI-R
The ADI-R, or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (WPS, 2001), is an investigator-based parent interview intended to obtain detailed descriptions about those behaviors that are necessary for the differential diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and for the diagnosis of autism. The ADI-R focuses primarily on the key diagnostic characteristics concerned with developmental delays and deviance in reciprocal social interactions, language, communication and play, and on restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and interests.

The ADOS
The ADOS, or Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (WPS, 1999), is a standardized, semi-structured assessment of communication, social interaction and play for individuals who may have autism or other pervasive developmental disorders. The ADOS consists of standardized activities that help the examiner observe behaviors identified as important in children with autism spectrum disorders. Structured activities and materials provide standard contexts in which social interactions communication and other behaviors relevant to pervasive developmental disorders are likely to appear.

*Click headline for website or go to: http://www.jfcschicago.org/p_program.cfm?cat=pd&id=32

*CONTACT : Marlies Gramann, M.A.,CCC-SLP
Director of Clinical Services for Early Intervention
847-412-4379

*RELATED PROGRAMS
Camp for Kids with Social Skill Impairments
Integrated Pediatric Interventions