What to Expect in a Child Autism Evaluation

If you’re concerned about your child’s development, you’re not alone. Many parents notice things like delayed speech or motor milestones, strong sensory sensitivities, very selective eating, rigid routines or motor patterns, or difficulty connecting with peers. You might also see intense interests, big reactions to small changes, or daily struggles with flexibility. These behaviors can understandably raise questions about the presence of autism or related developmental differences.

Online content can add to that uncertainty. Short videos or checklists on social media often highlight “signs of autism,” which can be helpful for general awareness—but they aren’t a substitute for a professional evaluation. Autism can look very different from child to child, and an individualized assessment with a trained clinician is the only way to get clear, accurate answers.

(For reliable early-signs information: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/autism/signs-symptoms/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html)

Understanding Autism: A Spectrum with Wide Variation

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves two main areas:

1. Differences in social communication and interaction (such as reading social cues, understanding nonverbal communication, or forming peer relationships), and
2. Restricted or repetitive behaviors and sensory differences (like repetitive movements, strong routines, focused interests, or heightened reactions to sounds, textures, or lights).
3. (For a parent-friendly overview: American Academy of Pediatrics – https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/default.aspx)

ASD is described as a spectrum because it can present in many different ways. Some children have early language delays, while others speak fluently but struggle with back-and-forth conversation. Cognitively, some children have very strong thinking skills, while others show learning differences or uneven abilities. Behaviorally, you may see strong preferences for routine or larger reactions when plans shift unexpectedly. Socially and emotionally, some children want friendships but feel unsure how to join play, while others may miss subtle facial expressions, tone of voice, or unspoken social rules.

How Autism Evaluations Work at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates

At Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, we offer targeted autism evaluations for children and adolescents using a supportive, developmentally informed approach. Each evaluation is tailored to the child and typically includes:

• A thorough parent interview covering developmental history, strengths, current challenges, and day-to-day functioning.
• A child or teen interview (when appropriate) to understand their perspective in an age-appropriate way.
• Cognitive testing to understand verbal abilities, visual-spatial skills, working memory, processing speed, and how your child approaches new or unfamiliar problem-solving tasks.
• Social-emotional assessment, including tasks that look at emotion recognition and understanding others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
• Executive-functioning assessment to explore skills like planning, organization, flexible thinking, and impulse control.
• Sensory and behavioral screening, gathered through interviews and structured rating forms completed by parents, the child (when appropriate), and sometimes teachers, allowing us to understand behavior across settings.
• Collaboration with therapists, school teams, or referring physicians, when helpful, to build a more complete picture.
• Administration of the ADOS-2, a well-established, evidence-based standardized assessment that uses play and conversation to observe social communication, interaction, and any repetitive or restricted behaviors in a naturalistic way.
• (For a parent-friendly explanation: Mass General Lurie Center – https://www.massgeneral.org/children/autism/lurie-center/autism-diagnostic-observation-schedulesecond-edition-ados2)

All results are integrated into a clear, personalized report that includes diagnostic impressions (when appropriate), a strengths-based summary, and tailored recommendations. These may include school supports, therapy referrals, strategies for building social understanding, behavioral tools, or occupational therapy for sensory needs.

Every evaluation concludes with a feedback session, where we review findings, answer questions, and outline next steps so you feel informed and supported moving forward.

If you’re considering an autism evaluation for your child, I’m here to help guide you through the process and offer clarity at every step. You can learn more about my services on my bio page or by contacting Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates.