Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) testing is an evaluation of communication, social interaction, sensory experience, interests, and behavior. It can help a parent understand a child's social-communication style, or help a teen or adult make sense of lifelong experiences. Each evaluation ends with a written report and a feedback session that explain the findings and what to do next.
Evaluations are available for people from preschool age through adulthood in Chappaqua and Hartsdale. This is one of the types of evaluation described on our testing and evaluations page.
Who Autism Testing Is For
- Parents who wonder whether their child may be autistic, or whose child's school or pediatrician has raised questions
- Teens who want to understand their own experience
- Adults who suspect they may be autistic, or who want to understand long-standing differences in communication, sensory experience, or social life
When It Helps
- A school, pediatrician, or therapist has raised questions about autism
- Social, sensory, or behavioral needs are affecting daily life
- Results are needed to guide therapy or school supports
What an Autism Evaluation Includes
Standardized Diagnostic Tools
Standard diagnostic instruments, including the ADOS-2 and MIGDAS-2, clinical rating scales, and structured interviews, chosen for the person's age and developmental stage.
Communication and Social Analysis
A close look at verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction styles, and relationships.
Sensory and Behavioral Patterns
Assessment of sensory sensitivities, focused interests, and behavioral patterns.
Cognitive and Processing Testing
Intelligence testing and processing measures that describe intellectual strengths, memory, and organization.
Co-Occurring Conditions
Screening for experiences that often occur alongside autism, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, so the report gives a full picture.
Developmental History
Interviews with parents or caregivers (for children) or a structured self-report history (for adults) to trace early development and lifelong patterns.
Collateral Input
Contact with teachers, school staff, or other specialists, such as pediatricians, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, to understand functioning across settings.
Records Review
A review of previous school reports, IEPs, therapy notes, or medical records, where applicable.
Our Approach to Autism Testing
We approach testing from a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming framework. Each assessment is customized to the questions you bring, and the report describes relative strengths alongside areas that need support.
The written report includes specific recommendations. These can support requests for school accommodations such as an IEP or a 504 plan, guide therapies such as occupational or speech therapy, and inform individual counseling. A feedback session walks through the findings in plain language and turns the report into next steps.
Care That Connects Across Specialties
Testing is often one part of a broader plan. Our clinicians work across specialties, and with your consent your evaluator can coordinate with colleagues across the practice.
- Psychoeducational and Neuropsychological Testing: Evaluation of learning, attention, and memory.
- ADHD & Neuro-Affirming Care: Support for attention and sensory differences.
- Child & Adolescent Therapy: Individual therapy for children and teens.
- Family Therapy: Support for families after an evaluation.
- Anxiety & OCD Therapy: Therapy for anxiety and rigid thinking.
- Adult Therapy: Individual therapy for adults.
