An autism evaluation can help families understand a child’s social communication, behavior, sensory experiences, development and individual support needs.
Bright Future Psychology provides autism evaluations for toddlers, children and teens in Naples and Southwest Florida. Virtual and in-person options are available depending on the child’s age, selected measures, referral questions and documentation requirements.
We offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations commonly called CDEs, and standalone ADOS-2 assessments requested by pediatricians or other qualified healthcare providers.
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
Children develop differently, and one behavior by itself does not establish autism. An evaluation may be helpful when a child:
• Has limited or inconsistent eye contact
• Has difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
• Uses language in an unusually formal, repetitive or scripted way
• Has difficulty understanding social cues or forming friendships
• Prefers repetitive play or predictable routines
• Becomes distressed by unexpected changes
• Has highly focused or intense interests
• Experiences significant sensory sensitivities
• Engages in repetitive movements or behaviors
• Has delayed speech or language development
• Has experienced a loss of previously acquired language or social skills
• Appears socially interested but has difficulty navigating interactions
• Masks or imitates peers to manage social situations
• Has previously been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety or a learning disorder but continues to show broader developmental differences
An evaluation can clarify whether these concerns are consistent with autism or are better explained by another developmental, emotional, language or learning condition.
ADOS-2 Assessment: $800
This focused service is available when a pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified healthcare provider has specifically requested an ADOS-2 assessment.
It includes:
• Administration of the developmentally appropriate ADOS-2 module
• Standardized scoring when standardized administration requirements are met
• Behavioral observations from the assessment
• A summary of results provided to the requesting professional
The ADOS-2 is only one source of clinical information. It cannot independently diagnose or rule out autism.
Results from a standalone ADOS-2 must be shared with the qualified provider who requested the assessment. That provider is responsible for integrating the results with developmental history, clinical observations and other relevant information.
A standalone ADOS-2 does not include an independent autism diagnosis, a comprehensive diagnostic report or a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation.
Adding the ADOS-2 to a Comprehensive Evaluation: Additional $500
When autism is one of the referral questions, the ADOS-2 may be added to a comprehensive psychological evaluation ($3,500) for an additional $500 . The ADOS-2 addition includes administration of the developmentally appropriate module, scoring when standardized administration requirements are met and integration of the findings into the comprehensive evaluation report.
Autism Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE): $1,700
This option provides a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation, commonly called a CDE, focused on determining whether the clinical findings support an autism diagnosis and identifying the child’s developmental and treatment needs.
Depending on the child’s age and referral questions, the CDE generally includes:
• Parent or caregiver interview
• Comprehensive developmental and clinical history
• Review of relevant medical, educational and treatment records
• Autism-specific diagnostic measures
• Direct clinical observation
• Adaptive-functioning assessment
• Developmental, behavioral or social-communication measures as appropriate
• Diagnostic integration of the available findings
• Autism diagnosis when supported
• Individualized treatment recommendations
• Educational recommendations when clinically appropriate
• Feedback consultation
• Comprehensive written diagnostic report
This CDE may provide documentation relevant to ABA, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and other support services. Insurers, Medicaid managed-care plans and treatment providers establish their own requirements and independently determine medical necessity, authorization and coverage.
The evaluation may be completed virtually, in person or through a combination of both formats.
Assessment batteries are individualized. A child will not necessarily receive every measure listed below.
Commonly used measures include:
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
• Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2)
• Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS)
• Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2)
• Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3)
• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
• Developmental Profile, Fourth Edition (DP-4)
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)
• Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition, Normative Update (KABC-II NU)
• Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fifth Edition (PPVT-5)
• Expressive Vocabulary Test, Third Edition (EVT-3)
• Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3)
• Conners Fourth Edition (Conners 4)
• Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2)
• Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory (CEFI)
• NEPSY, Second Edition (NEPSY-II)
• Parent and teacher interview questionnaires
Test selection depends on the child’s age, communication abilities, developmental history and the questions the evaluation needs to answer.
The ADOS-2 is a structured observation of social communication, interaction and restricted or repetitive behavior. It provides valuable information, but it represents only one part of an autism evaluation.
An autism diagnosis requires consideration of:
• Developmental history
• Current functioning across settings
• Parent or caregiver information
• Clinical observations
• Social communication
• Restricted or repetitive patterns
• Adaptive functioning
• Alternative explanations for the child’s behavior
A child can obtain an elevated ADOS-2 score for reasons other than autism. A score below the classification threshold also does not necessarily rule autism out.
ADOS-2 results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician as part of a broader evaluation.
Autism evaluations may be completed virtually, in person or through a combination of both formats.
Virtual components may include:
• Parent or caregiver interviews
• Developmental-history interviews
• Review of records and previous evaluations
• Parent and teacher questionnaires
• Adaptive-functioning measures
• Autism-related rating scales
• Clinical interviews
• Direct social-communication observations
• Other measures appropriate for remote administration
Virtual evaluation may be especially appropriate for verbally fluent teens. The format depends on the child’s age, communication abilities, selected measures, referral questions and documentation requirements.
A standardized, algorithm-scored ADOS-2 follows the test publisher’s standardized administration requirements. When ADOS-2 activities are modified for remote qualitative observation, the administration is identified as nonstandard, the standardized algorithm is not used, and the observations are interpreted as only one part of the broader evaluation.
Autism and ADHD can share features such as difficulty with transitions, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity or challenges sustaining attention. The two conditions can also occur together.
A comprehensive evaluation can examine whether a child’s difficulties are best explained by autism, ADHD or a combination of conditions. Attention and executive-function measures may be included when clinically indicated.
Some autistic children also have difficulties involving reading, writing, mathematics, memory or language. Others have strong academic abilities but struggle with flexible thinking, written expression, comprehension or classroom demands.
When learning or language concerns are present, a comprehensive evaluation may include cognitive, academic, memory and language measures to identify the child’s complete learning profile.
Gifted children can also be autistic. These students may be described as twice-exceptional or 2e.
Strong vocabulary, reasoning or academic skills can sometimes mask social, sensory or adaptive challenges. In other cases, autism-related behavior may prevent a child’s cognitive strengths from being fully recognized.
A comprehensive evaluation can identify both advanced abilities and areas requiring support.
A private autism evaluation can provide clinical findings and recommendations that families may share with a public school, charter school or private school.
Recommendations may address:
• Communication and social support
• Classroom accommodations
• Predictable routines and transition support
• Sensory accommodations
• Behavioral and emotional-regulation strategies
• Executive-function support
• Academic intervention
• Assistive technology
• Related therapeutic services when appropriate
Schools independently determine eligibility for special-education services, IEPs, Section 504 Plans, placement and school-based services. A private psychological evaluation can provide useful documentation but cannot guarantee eligibility or particular services.
A comprehensive autism evaluation or CDE may provide diagnostic findings and treatment recommendations relevant to services such as:
• Applied behavior analysis
• Speech-language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Social-skills intervention
• Parent training
• Behavioral or mental-health treatment
• Developmental services
The evaluation can identify areas of need and recommend services when clinically appropriate. It does not guarantee that an insurer, Medicaid plan, school or treatment provider will authorize, cover or deliver a particular service.
Families should obtain current documentation and authorization requirements from the organization receiving the report before scheduling.
Families may use the evaluation to guide support in private-school, homeschool or personalized-education settings.
The report can help families and educators understand:
• The child’s communication and learning profile
• Cognitive and developmental strengths
• Sensory or adaptive support needs
• Appropriate classroom strategies
• Whether additional academic intervention is needed
• Potential treatment or therapy referrals
• Practical strategies for home and community settings
Our reports are written to be understandable and useful to families, educators and other professionals supporting the child.
Some families may be able to use eligible Step Up For Students scholarship funds toward autism, developmental or psychological evaluations.
Depending on the student’s scholarship and current program rules, funding may include:
• Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
• Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Funding availability, eligible expenses, documentation requirements and reimbursement decisions are determined by Step Up For Students. Families should confirm their benefits and current program requirements before scheduling.
Following a diagnostic or comprehensive evaluation, families receive:
• An explanation of the assessment results
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Identification of developmental, cognitive and adaptive strengths
• Identification of social, communication, sensory or learning needs
• Individualized recommendations
• Educational recommendations when clinically appropriate
• Treatment recommendations or referrals when indicated
• A written psychological report
• A feedback consultation
The standalone ADOS-2 service provides ADOS-2 findings to the qualified professional who requested the assessment. It does not provide a comprehensive independent diagnostic report.
Free phone consultation
We begin with a brief consultation to discuss your concerns and determine whether a standalone ADOS-2, diagnostic autism evaluation or Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation is appropriate.
Intake and records
Parents complete intake forms and provide relevant developmental, medical, educational and clinical records. Parent and teacher questionnaires may be distributed electronically.
If the evaluation is needed for insurance or treatment authorization, families should provide the receiving organization’s current CDE requirements.
Evaluation
The evaluation may be virtual, in person or a combination of both. The appropriate format depends on the selected measures, child’s age and documentation requirements.
Feedback and report
For diagnostic and comprehensive evaluations, findings are explained during a feedback consultation. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
For a standalone ADOS-2, results are provided to the requesting qualified healthcare professional for integration into the broader diagnostic evaluation.
Can the ADOS-2 diagnose autism by itself?
No. The ADOS-2 is one component of an autism assessment. A diagnosis requires integration of developmental history, current functioning, clinical observations and other relevant information.
Can we schedule only the ADOS-2?
Yes, when a pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified healthcare professional has specifically requested it. Results are shared with the requesting provider for integration into the broader evaluation.
The standalone ADOS-2 does not include an independent autism diagnosis, comprehensive diagnostic report or CDE.
Can an autism evaluation be completed virtually?
Yes. Autism evaluations may be completed virtually, in person or through a combination of both formats. Virtual assessment may include interviews, developmental history, rating scales, adaptive measures and direct observation.
A standardized, algorithm-scored ADOS-2 follows the publisher’s standardized administration requirements. Modified remote ADOS-2 activities are used only for qualitative observation and are not interpreted as a standardized ADOS-2 administration.
Do you provide a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation or CDE?
Yes. Bright Future Psychology provides comprehensive autism evaluations that may serve as a CDE when the assessment scope meets the receiving organization’s requirements.
A CDE generally includes developmental history, diagnostic assessment, functional information, clinical findings and treatment recommendations. A standalone ADOS-2 is not a CDE.
Can a CDE support access to ABA, speech or occupational therapy?
A CDE may provide diagnostic findings and treatment recommendations relevant to ABA, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and other services. The insurer, Medicaid plan or treatment program independently determines medical necessity, authorization, coverage and eligibility.
What is the youngest age for an autism evaluation?
Young children can be evaluated when developmental concerns emerge. The appropriate assessment approach depends on the child’s age, communication level, developmental history and presenting concerns.
Will the evaluation guarantee ABA services, an IEP or school eligibility?
No. The evaluation may provide diagnoses, clinical findings and recommendations. Insurers, treatment programs and schools independently determine coverage, eligibility, placement and services.
Can FES-UA or PEP funds be used?
Autism and developmental evaluations may be eligible under some Step Up For Students scholarship arrangements. Families should verify available funds, eligible expenses and documentation requirements directly with Step Up For Students.
How quickly can we schedule?
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Reports for diagnostic and comprehensive evaluations are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
If you have concerns about your child’s communication, social development, behavior or sensory experiences, an evaluation can provide clarity and identify appropriate support.
Contact Bright Future Psychology to schedule a free phone consultation and discuss whether a standalone ADOS-2, diagnostic autism evaluation or Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation best fits your child’s needs.
Bright Future Psychology
5633 Strand Blvd, Suite 311, Naples
Welcome! We offer free 20-min phone consultations. Looking forward to speaking with you to see how we can help.