IMPACT PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
AUTISM EVALUATION IN
WHITE PLAINS, NY
Comprehensive ASD Assessments for Accurate Diagnosis & Support
Getting an accurate autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating conflicting information and long wait times with other providers.
Many families in White Plains struggle to find comprehensive autism evaluations that truly understand the unique presentation of autism spectrum disorder in each individual.
At IMPACT Psychological Services, our specialized team provides thorough, evidence-based autism evaluations using the latest diagnostic tools and research. Our integrative approach ensures that every assessment captures the complete picture of your loved one's strengths and challenges, leading to accurate diagnosis and meaningful recommendations.
Located conveniently in nearby Mamaroneck, we serve White Plains families with the personalized attention and expertise they deserve. Our comprehensive evaluations provide the clarity and direction needed to access appropriate services, educational accommodations, and support systems throughout Westchester County.
Our autism spectrum disorder evaluations are comprehensive assessments designed to determine whether an individual meets criteria for ASD while identifying their unique strengths, challenges, and support needs.
This detailed process examines social communication, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing patterns that characterize autism spectrum disorder.
The evaluation process begins with an extensive clinical interview where we gather developmental history, current concerns, and family observations. We then conduct direct assessment using gold-standard diagnostic tools, including the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and other specialized measures. Our team also evaluates cognitive functioning, adaptive skills, and co-occurring conditions that commonly present alongside autism.
Throughout the assessment, we observe social communication patterns, play behaviors, and responses to various social situations. We carefully analyze how individuals process sensory information, manage transitions, and engage in both structured and unstructured activities. This comprehensive approach ensures we capture the full spectrum of autism presentations, from subtle differences to more obvious signs.
Following the evaluation, families receive a detailed report with clear diagnostic conclusions, specific recommendations for interventions, educational accommodations, and community resources. We provide thorough feedback sessions to ensure families understand the results and feel confident moving forward with appropriate support services throughout the White Plains area.
A Comprehensive Autism Evaluation in White Plains
KEY BENEFITS
Take the First Step Towards Healing
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Our autism evaluations utilize the most current and research-validated assessment instruments, including the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, ensuring the highest level of diagnostic accuracy. These internationally recognized tools provide standardized ways to observe and measure the core features of autism spectrum disorder across different ages and developmental levels.
White Plains families benefit from our team's advanced training in these specialized assessment techniques. Our clinicians stay current with the latest research and diagnostic criteria, understanding how autism presents differently across gender, age, and cultural backgrounds. This expertise is particularly valuable for identifying autism in individuals who may have been previously missed or misdiagnosed.
The comprehensive nature of our assessment process means families receive definitive answers rather than uncertainty. We examine multiple domains of functioning and gather information from various sources to create a complete diagnostic picture. This thorough approach gives White Plains families the confidence they need to move forward with appropriate interventions and support services, knowing they have an accurate foundation for their loved one's care.
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Every autism evaluation concludes with individualized recommendations specifically designed for your family's unique circumstances and your loved one's particular strengths and challenges. We don't provide generic advice – instead, we carefully consider your local resources, school district requirements, and family goals when developing our comprehensive recommendation plan.
Our recommendations extend beyond the diagnosis to include specific therapeutic interventions, educational accommodations, and community resources available in the White Plains and Westchester County area. We connect families with local speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, and support groups, ensuring you have a clear roadmap for accessing appropriate services.
The detailed nature of our recommendations means families can immediately begin implementing strategies at home while pursuing formal services. We provide practical suggestions for daily routines, social skill development, and managing challenging behaviors. This comprehensive approach empowers White Plains families to support their loved one's development while navigating the service system with confidence and clarity.
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Our clinical team brings extensive postdoctoral training and specialized expertise in autism spectrum disorder assessment and treatment. Dr. Talya Cohen and Dr. Tracy Prout have dedicated years to understanding the complex presentations of autism across the lifespan, ensuring your evaluation is conducted by true specialists in the field.
This advanced training translates directly into more accurate diagnoses and more meaningful recommendations for White Plains families. Our clinicians understand the subtle differences between autism and other conditions, the unique ways autism presents in girls and women, and how cultural factors can influence both autism expression and assessment outcomes.
Families in the White Plains area benefit from working with professionals who regularly collaborate with local school districts, therapeutic providers, and medical professionals. Our established relationships throughout Westchester County mean we can provide informed recommendations about specific programs, services, and providers that consistently deliver high-quality support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
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Our autism evaluation process prioritizes family involvement and support from initial consultation through final recommendations. We understand that pursuing an autism evaluation can feel overwhelming, so we provide clear communication, realistic timelines, and ongoing support to help families navigate each step with confidence.
Throughout the assessment process, we keep families informed about what to expect, how their loved one is responding, and what we're observing. This transparency helps reduce anxiety and ensures parents feel like active participants rather than passive observers. We welcome questions and provide education about autism spectrum disorder as we progress through the evaluation.
White Plains families particularly appreciate our thorough feedback sessions, where we explain results in clear, understandable language and provide ample time for questions and discussion. We don't rush through results or leave families with unanswered concerns. Instead, we ensure every family leaves feeling informed, supported, and ready to take the next steps in their autism journey with local resources and ongoing professional support.
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We understand that White Plains families have demanding schedules with work, school, and other commitments. Our evaluation scheduling is designed to accommodate these realities, offering flexible appointment times and efficient assessment processes that minimize disruption to daily routines while maintaining thorough, comprehensive evaluations.
Our conveniently located Mamaroneck office provides easy access for White Plains families, with straightforward parking and a welcoming environment that helps both children and adults feel comfortable during the assessment process. We structure evaluation sessions to match individual attention spans and energy levels, ensuring optimal performance and accurate results.
For families managing multiple children or complex schedules, we work collaboratively to create assessment timelines that work for everyone involved. This flexibility extends to our communication style, offering phone consultations, email updates, and in-person meetings based on family preferences and needs throughout the evaluation process.
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Following your autism evaluation, we provide comprehensive connections to Westchester County resources, ensuring families can immediately access appropriate services and support systems. Our established relationships with local providers, school districts, and community organizations mean we can offer specific, actionable referrals rather than generic suggestions.
We stay connected with White Plains area schools and understand the specific programs, accommodations, and support services available through local districts. This knowledge allows us to provide targeted recommendations that align with available resources, making the transition from evaluation to services much smoother for families.
Our support doesn't end with the evaluation report. We're available for consultation as families implement recommendations, navigate school meetings, or encounter new challenges. This ongoing relationship provides White Plains families with continued professional support as their loved one grows and develops, ensuring long-term success and appropriate service adjustments over time.
Service Catagories
Together, we navigate the journey toward healing, resilience, and positive change. See how we can help you.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation using gold-standard diagnostic tools, including ADOS-2, clinical interviews, and developmental history review. This thorough assessment examines social communication, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing to determine ASD diagnosis and provide detailed recommendations for intervention and support services.
Educational Accommodation Assessment
Specialized evaluation focused on determining appropriate educational accommodations and services for school-age individuals. We assess academic functioning, social skills in educational settings, and specific learning needs to provide detailed recommendations for IEP or 504 plan development and implementation.
Family Consultation & Support
Ongoing consultation services for families navigating autism spectrum disorder, including guidance on implementing recommendations, accessing local resources, and addressing new challenges as they arise. We provide continued support for White Plains families throughout their autism journey.
Neuropsychological Testing Components
Full cognitive and developmental assessment, including intellectual functioning, academic skills, attention, and executive functioning evaluation. This comprehensive testing identifies learning differences, ADHD, and other conditions that commonly co-occur with autism, providing a complete picture of your loved one's cognitive profile and learning needs.
Adult Autism Evaluation
Comprehensive assessment designed specifically for adults seeking autism diagnosis, including those who may have been missed in childhood. This evaluation considers developmental history, current functioning, relationship patterns, and workplace challenges to provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate support recommendations for adult life.
Our Process
STEP ONE
Initial Consultation & History Gathering
Your autism evaluation begins with a comprehensive clinical interview where we gather detailed developmental history, current concerns, and family observations. During this 60-90 minute session, we explore early development, social communication patterns, behavioral concerns, and family goals for the evaluation. We also review any previous assessments or reports to understand your loved one's complete history.
This thorough history-gathering process typically takes place over one to two sessions, allowing time for thoughtful discussion and question-answering. We encourage families to bring any relevant records, school reports, or videos that might illustrate specific behaviors or concerns. This foundational step ensures our assessment is tailored to your specific questions and concerns.
STEP TWO
Direct Assessment & Observation Sessions
The core assessment involves 4-6 hours of direct testing using standardized autism diagnostic tools, cognitive assessments, and behavioral observations. We use the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) along with other specialized measures to examine social communication, play behaviors, and restricted/repetitive interests in structured activities.
These sessions are scheduled based on your loved one's attention span and comfort level, often split across multiple appointments. We create a supportive, engaging environment where individuals can demonstrate their natural abilities and communication patterns. Parents may observe portions of the assessment to provide additional insights about typical versus observed behaviors.
STEP THREE
Analysis & Report Development
Following the assessment sessions, our clinical team spends 6-10 hours analyzing results, integrating findings, and developing comprehensive recommendations. We compare assessment results to established diagnostic criteria while considering individual strengths, cultural factors, and developmental patterns.
The detailed report includes diagnostic conclusions, specific recommendations for interventions, educational accommodations, and local resource connections. We ensure every recommendation is practical, achievable, and tailored to your family's specific circumstances and the resources available in the White Plains and Westchester County area.
STEP FOUR
Comprehensive Feedback & Planning Session
Your evaluation concludes with a thorough feedback session where we review all findings, explain diagnostic conclusions, and discuss detailed recommendations. This 90-120 minute meeting provides ample time for questions, clarification, and planning next steps for accessing appropriate services and support.
We provide you with the complete written report and help prioritize recommendations based on immediate needs versus longer-term goals. Our team remains available for follow-up questions and can provide letters or additional documentation needed for school districts, insurance companies, or service providers throughout the implementation process.
Our Approach
Our approach to autism evaluation integrates evidence-based assessment techniques with a deep understanding of how autism spectrum disorder presents uniquely in each individual.
We recognize that autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that brings both challenges and strengths, and our comprehensive evaluations are designed to capture this complete picture rather than focusing solely on deficits or difficulties.
The foundation of our assessment philosophy rests on using multiple sources of information to develop accurate diagnostic conclusions. We combine direct observation through standardized tools, detailed developmental history, current functioning reports, and family insights to create a comprehensive understanding of each person's autism presentation. This multi-faceted approach is particularly important given the wide spectrum of autism presentations and the frequent co-occurrence of other conditions.
Our team stays current with the latest research in autism assessment, including understanding how autism presents differently across gender, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We're particularly attentive to identifying autism in individuals who may have developed coping strategies that mask their differences, including many girls, women, and intellectually gifted individuals who have been historically underdiagnosed.
For White Plains area families, our approach emphasizes practical, achievable recommendations that consider local resources, school district capabilities, and family circumstances. We don't provide generic suggestions but instead develop individualized plans that account for your specific situation, goals, and the support systems available throughout Westchester County. This localized approach ensures families can immediately begin implementing our recommendations while building toward longer-term success and appropriate support services.
FAQs
IMPACT Psychological Services has been providing comprehensive psychological testing and mental health services to Westchester County families since our founding. Our specialized team of licensed psychologists brings advanced postdoctoral training in autism assessment and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to serve White Plains and surrounding communities.
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A comprehensive autism evaluation typically takes 3-4 weeks from initial consultation to final report. This includes the initial clinical interview, 4-6 hours of direct assessment sessions, analysis and report writing time, and the final feedback session. We work with White Plains families to schedule appointments efficiently while ensuring thorough, accurate assessment.
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Autism screening tools provide preliminary indications of possible ASD but cannot definitively diagnose autism spectrum disorder. Our comprehensive evaluations use gold-standard diagnostic tools like the ADOS-2, along with detailed developmental history and cognitive testing, to provide definitive diagnostic conclusions and detailed recommendations for intervention and support services.
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We are out-of-network providers but have partnered with Mentaya to help families maximize their insurance benefits for autism evaluations. We provide detailed documentation for insurance reimbursement and can discuss payment options during your initial consultation. Our comprehensive evaluations range from $4,000-$7,500, depending on the specific assessment needs.
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Yes, we provide comprehensive autism evaluations for adults who suspect they may be on the spectrum. Adult autism assessment requires specialized approaches that consider developmental history, current functioning patterns, relationship challenges, and workplace difficulties. Many adults in the White Plains area seek evaluation after their children are diagnosed or as they learn more about autism presentations.
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We provide families with detailed preparation information prior to the assessment. Generally, we recommend maintaining normal routines, bringing comfort items if needed, and explaining the process in age-appropriate terms. Our Mamaroneck office environment is designed to be welcoming and comfortable for individuals of all ages and developmental levels.