Diagnostic Tools
Receiving a diagnosis of autism is often one of the first steps a family goes through in better understanding their child’s needs. Action Behavior Centers provides various supports to help parents navigate this process, including online screening tools for children of all ages and ADOS-2 assessments for children age 18 months through six years that can be reviewed by treating physicians. ABC delivers ABA therapy to children ages 18 months through eight years in our centers and 18 months through 12 years in At Home settings.
If you have questions about the diagnostic process, we can help.
Schedule ADOS-2
Screening Tools
For Children 3 and Under:
For Children 4 & Up:
Diagnostic Tools
Receiving a diagnosis of autism is often one of the first steps a family goes through in better understanding their child’s needs. Action Behavior Centers provides various supports to help parents navigate this process, including online screening tools for children of all ages and ADOS-2 assessments for children age 18 months through six years that can be reviewed by treating physicians. ABC delivers ABA therapy to children ages 18 months through eight years in our centers and 18 months through 12 years in At Home settings.
If you have questions about the diagnostic process, we can help.
Schedule ADOS-2
Screening Tools
For Children 3 and Under:
For Children 4 & Up:
We Accept Most Insurance Providers
*in select states
What is ADOS-2?
Gold Standard
ADOS-2 is a gold standard diagnostic tool used to help assess Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The ADOS-2 evaluates the key indicators of ASD, including communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.
Play-based
The ADOS-2 is very natural and play-based. It’s not like going to a doctor’s appointment. A variety of specific toys are used along with standard activities that make the assessment.
Scoring
Following the assessment, the clinician summarizes the results and sends them to the treating doctor for use in diagnostic determination. The results of the ADOS-2 will not constitute an ASD diagnosis.
What is ADOS-2?
Gold Standard
ADOS-2 is a gold standard diagnostic tool used to help assess Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The ADOS-2 evaluates the key indicators of ASD, including communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.
Play-based
The ADOS-2 is very natural and play-based. It’s not like going to a doctor’s appointment. A variety of specific toys are used along with standard activities that make the assessment.
Scoring
Following the assessment, the clinician summarizes the results and sends them to the treating doctor for use in diagnostic determination. The results of the ADOS-2 will not constitute an ASD diagnosis.
Next Steps
Contact us to learn more about the ADOS assessment and how to get an autism evaluation at no obligation scheduled for your child.
You can also enter your zip code below to find your nearest center.
As you may know, the sooner a child receives early intervention services, the greater the chance that they’ll be able to be mainstreamed into a school environment.
If you do not have a diagnosis and you would like to speak with someone about next steps, you may utilize this form to contact us or call your nearest center.
We recommend using these autism screening tools (M-CHAT for children 3 and under, CAST for children 4 & up) to help identify if your child is exhibiting symptoms of autism. If your child participates in an ADOS-2 assessment, you may be asked to complete the M-CHAT or CAST as part of the diagnostic process.
We understand you have many questions. We can help guide you in your journey to better understand your next steps.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to commmon inquiries we receive.
If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to either call your nearest center or fill out a contact form. Our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Next Steps
Contact us to learn more about the ADOS assessment and how to get an autism evaluation at no obligation scheduled for your child.
You can also enter your zip code below to find your nearest center.
As you may know, the sooner a child receives early intervention services, the greater the chance is that they’ll be able to be mainstream into a school environment.
If you do not have a diagnosis and you would like to speak with someone about next steps, you may utilize this form to contact us or call your nearest center.
We recommend using our autism screening tools (M-CHAT for children 3 & under, CAST for children 4 & up) to help identify if your child is exhibiting symptoms of autism. If your child participates in an ADOS-2 assessment, you may be asked to complete the M-CHAT or CAST as part of the diagnostic process.
We understand you have many questions.
We can help guide you in your journey to better understand your next steps.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to commmon inquiries we receive.
If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to either call your nearest center or fill out a contact form. Our team will be in touch with you shortly.
M-CHAT
Screening Tool
The M-CHAT™ (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) is a parent-report screening tool to assess the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In approximately 10 minutes, parents can complete the 20 questions and receive an autism risk assessment for their child.
Age of Child: The M-CHAT is most appropriate for children between the ages of 16-47 months.
M-CHAT
Screening Tool
The M-CHAT™ (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) is a parent-report screening tool to assess the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In approximately 10 minutes, parents can complete the 20 questions and receive an autism risk assessment for their child.
Age of Child: The M-CHAT is most appropriate for children between the ages of 16-47 months.
Child Autism Spectrum Test (CAST)
The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test or CAST (formerly the “Childhood Asperger’s Syndrome Test”) is a parent questionnaire that assesses for symptoms of autism and social communication problems.
The questionnaire was developed by the ARC (the Autism Research Centre) at the University of Cambridge, for assessing the severity of autism spectrum symptoms in children. It has proved to be a good test for screening autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and social communication problems.
While diagnosis of typical autism will usually occur in early childhood, Aspergers syndrome and other pervasive developmental disorders may be missed until much later.
The Childhood Autism Syndrome Test (CAST) allows detection of such cases which may need further assessment.
At ABC we use the CAST to screen for autism related symptoms in children 4 and older.
Insurance Providers
You have enough on your plate. ABC will work with your insurance provider to help make therapy affordable to your family. Our support team of insurance experts do the processing paperwork so you don’t have to. We are able to offer ABA therapy services to patients with a variety of health insurance plans, including:
The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test or CAST (formerly the “Childhood Asperger’s Syndrome Test”) is a parent questionnaire that assesses for symptoms of autism and social communication problems.
The questionnaire was developed by the ARC (the Autism Research Centre) at the University of Cambridge, for assessing the severity of autism spectrum symptoms in children. It has proved to be a good test for screening autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and social communication problems.
While diagnosis of typical autism will usually occur in early childhood, Aspergers syndrome and other pervasive developmental disorders may be missed until much later.
The Childhood Autism Syndrome Test (CAST) allows detection of such cases which may need further assessment.
At ABC we use the CAST to screen for autism related symptoms in children 4 and older.
Child Autism Spectrum Test (CAST)
Insurance Providers
You have enough on your plate. ABC will work with you and your insurance provider. ABC will help you understand your insurance coverage and out of pocket. We are able to offer ABA therapy services to patients with a variety of health insurance plans.
We Accept Most Insurance Providers
*in select states
Resources
Scientific Research Articles and Abstracts
- Lovaas, O. Ivar. “Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1987.
- McEachin, J., et al. “Long-Term Outcome for Children with Autism Who Receive Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment.” American Journal on MR, 1993.
- Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., and Smith, T. “Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a Community Setting.” Journal of Developmental Pediatrics, 2006.
- Sallows, G., Graupner, T. “Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors.” American Journal on MR, 2005.
- Peters-Scheffer, N., Didden, R., Korzilius, H., Sturmey, P. “A Meta-Analytic Study on the Effectiveness of Comprehensive ABA-based Early Intervention Programs for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2011.
- Roberts, J., et al. “A Randomised Controlled Trial of Two Early Intervention Programs for Young Children with Autism: Centre-based with Parent Program and Home-based.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2011.
- Foxx, R. “Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment of Autism: The State of the Art.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2008.
- Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E., Rabinovich, A., Lahat, E. “Change in Autism Core Symptoms with Intervention.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2007.
- Hayward, D. “Assessing Progress During Treatment for Young Children with Autism Receiving Intensive Behavioural Interventions.” Autism, 2009.
- Jensen, V., Sinclair, L. “Treatment of Autism in Young Children: Behavioral Intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis.” Infants & Young Children, 2002.
Websites
Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
www.bacb.com
Families for Early Autism Treatment
www.feat.org
National Autism Center
www.nationalautismcenter.org
The National Institute of Mental Health – Autism
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/
National Autism Association
www.nationalautismassociation.org
Autism Science Foundation
www.autismsciencefoundation.org
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
www.researchautism.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/
The Autism Society
www.autism-society.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org
Books
Let Me Hear Your Voice
by Catherine Maurice
The Way I See It
by Temple Grandin
How to Think Like a Behavioral Analyst
by Jon Bailey and Mary Burch
An Early Start for Your Child with Autism
by Sally Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, and Laurie Vismara
Applied Behavior Analysis (Second Edition)
by John Cooper, Timothy Heron, and William Howard
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
by Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk
Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Emily Willingham, and Carol Greenberg
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism
by Naoki Higashida
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
by Barry M. Prizant
101 Games and Activities for Children With Autism, Asperger’s and Sensory Processing Disorders
by Tara Delaney
Resources
Scientific Research Articles and Abstracts
- Lovaas, O. Ivar. “Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1987.
- McEachin, J., et al. “Long-Term Outcome for Children with Autism Who Receive Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment.” American Journal on MR, 1993.
- Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., and Smith, T. “Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a Community Setting.” Journal of Developmental Pediatrics, 2006.
- Sallows, G., Graupner, T. “Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors.” American Journal on MR, 2005.
- Peters-Scheffer, N., Didden, R., Korzilius, H., Sturmey, P. “A Meta-Analytic Study on the Effectiveness of Comprehensive ABA-based Early Intervention Programs for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2011.
- Roberts, J., et al. “A Randomised Controlled Trial of Two Early Intervention Programs for Young Children with Autism: Centre-based with Parent Program and Home-based.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2011.
- Foxx, R. “Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment of Autism: The State of the Art.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2008.
- Zachor, D., Ben-Itzchak, E., Rabinovich, A., Lahat, E. “Change in Autism Core Symptoms with Intervention.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2007.
- Hayward, D. “Assessing Progress During Treatment for Young Children with Autism Receiving Intensive Behavioural Interventions.” Autism, 2009.
- Jensen, V., Sinclair, L. “Treatment of Autism in Young Children: Behavioral Intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis.” Infants & Young Children, 2002.
Websites
Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
www.bacb.com
Families for Early Autism Treatment
www.feat.org
National Autism Center
www.nationalautismcenter.org
The National Institute of Mental Health – Autism
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/
National Autism Association
www.nationalautismassociation.org
Autism Science Foundation
www.autismsciencefoundation.org
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
www.researchautism.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/
The Autism Society
www.autism-society.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org
Books
Let Me Hear Your Voice
by Catherine Maurice
The Way I See It
by Temple Grandin
How to Think Like a Behavioral Analyst
by Jon Bailey and Mary Burch
An Early Start for Your Child with Autism
by Sally Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, and Laurie Vismara
Applied Behavior Analysis (Second Edition)
by John Cooper, Timothy Heron, and William Howard
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
by Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk
Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Emily Willingham, and Carol Greenberg
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism
by Naoki Higashida
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
by Barry M. Prizant
101 Games and Activities for Children With Autism, Asperger’s and Sensory Processing Disorders
by Tara Delaney