Autism Testing & Diagnostic Evaluations for Children
Supporting you from the start
Support for Families Seeking an Autism Evaluation
Many families contact SPARKS because they have concerns about their child’s development. Some notice differences in communication, play, or social interaction. Others receive feedback from a pediatrician, early intervention provider, or school and want more information.
SPARKS provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for children ages 2 to 6. Families often seek evaluations to better understand their child’s development and determine appropriate next steps. Our goal is to provide clear answers and help families understand what those answers mean.
Recognizing the Signs of Autism
A range of symptoms can make autism tricky to diagnose. You can be on the lookout for early signs. As your child grows, you can observe whether they are reaching typical developmental milestones.
Children develop rapidly in the first five years of life — learning to walk, talk, and engage with the world. Remember, you know your child best. If you notice delays, take note and discuss any concerns with your pediatrician. Let them know if you notice symptoms of autism.
The symptoms of autism can include:
- Not smiling at others by six months
- Not pointing or gesturing to communicate by 12 months
- Not babbling or jabbering (making nonsensical sounds) by 12 months
- Not communicating with single words (“no,” “mama,” “dada”) by 16 months
- Not communicating with two-word phrases (“want cup,” “go play”) by 24 months
- Not reacting to voices, sounds, or his or her own name by three years
- Making poor eye contact by three years
- Taking little interest in other children or caretakers by three years
- Regressing in (or losing) skills at any time by three years
What an Autism Evaluation Looks Like at SPARKS:
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A detailed parent or caregiver interview |
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Direct observation through structured and play-based activities |
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Review of communication, social, and behavioral skills |
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Use of standardized diagnostic tools when appropriate |
A diagnostic evaluation looks at how your child communicates, plays, and interacts with others. The process also considers your child’s developmental history and daily activities across home, school, and community settings.
Our licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Traci L. Jordan-Hirschman, conducts three comprehensive virtual evaluations, while explaining each step of the process to caregivers. Families receive clear feedback and time to ask questions throughout the entire evaluation process.
Families Decide Next Steps After an Evaluation
Families seek diagnostic evaluations for many reasons. Some parents want confirmation of concerns they have observed over time. Others need documentation to support school planning or access community resources or insurance-based services.
An evaluation does not require families to begin therapy or make immediate decisions. Families receive documentation, clinical guidance, and information about available services. SPARKS respects each family’s timeline and supports informed decision-making.
If you’d like to schedule an evaluation or have questions about diagnostic services, our team is ready to help.
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If you have questions about diagnostic services, our team is ready to help.
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