EVALUATION SERVICES
The Center for Autism provides assessment and evaluation services to individuals of all ages. To schedule an evaluation, please contact our Intake Coordinator at 215-220-2163. The Intake Coordinator will collect basic information and ask questions about the person to be evaluated. We will need the following information about the person to be evaluated at the time of your call:
- Concerns; Reason for evaluation
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Insurance Information (for the individual insured and primary policy holder), which includes Medical Assistance and private insurance, if applicable
- Contact information (phone number, address)
Level of Care Assessment
The Level of Care Assessment (LCA) is the first step in establishing the needs of an individual, and helps the Center determine the appropriate level service and/or type of care that may be needed for an individual with developmental delays.
The LCA appointment lasts approximately one hour and is conducted by a master’s level clinician. During this assessment, we collect a basic history and conduct an interview or interactive play session. Following the assessment, the Center will make recommendations for the next appropriate service.
Diagnostic Evaluation
Should the Level of Care Assessment determine that further diagnostic assessment is needed, the Center will schedule a comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluation. This evaluation will typically last one to two hours and is conducted by a psychiatrist. During the evaluation, we gather a comprehensive history and complete an interview and/or interactive play session. If needed, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is administered. The ADOS is the gold standard in autism diagnosis and is a standardized assessment of communication, social interaction and play.
Through this evaluation, our psychiatrists are able to determine an individual’s diagnosis and will discuss what this means for the person and their family. Furthermore, the family will receive a formal written report, which includes the individual’s diagnosis and appropriate recommendations.
For more information on the importance of early diagnosis, click here.
For information on payment options, click here.