Reviewed by Erin Micali, PhD, Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Could my child be on the autism spectrum?” you’re not alone. It’s a question many parents ask, especially when they notice things like a really narrow range of interests, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviors, or challenges with socializing. These signs don’t automatically mean a child has autism, but they do signal that an evaluation could help clarify what’s going on.
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially with others, both verbally and nonverbally, and experiences their sensory environment. Children with ASD can present with intense interests or repetitive or stereotyped behaviors or speech patterns. ASD is often referred to as a “spectrum” because the symptoms associated with autism can present differently in each child. Some kids may have strong language skills but misunderstand social cues. Others might have limited speech but a really strong knowledge base of facts. There’s no one-size-fits-all version of autism, and that’s why a thoughtful, individualized evaluation is key.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Getting an evaluation early, when behaviors first arise, typically during the preschool years, can make a huge difference. That’s because a young child’s brain is still developing, and early intervention during this critical period can make a lasting impact on:
- Understanding Your Child’s Needs: An evaluation gives you insights into your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty. Whether it confirms autism or points to something else (like a language delay or sensory processing challenge), you’ll have a clearer picture.
- Access to Support Services: A diagnosis opens doors to early intervention programs, therapies, and educational supports designed to help your child learn and grow. When you understand what’s going on, it’s easier to find the right resources and feel confident in the path forward.
- Progress Monitoring: Children who receive early services often make more progress with language, social skills, and emotional regulation than those who start later.
What Happens During An Autism Evaluation
An autism evaluation is conducted by a pediatric neuropsychologist or a psychologist. This evaluation includes a series of interviews, in which you share your observations and concerns. We will look at your child’s developmental history, send parent, teacher and caregiver rating scales to better understand behaviors, communication, and adaptive skills.
In addition, there are direct interactions and play-based assessments to understand how your child behaves in their social world. We also look at their speech development, cognitive growth and many other areas to ensure we are thoroughly assessing their needs. The goal is to understand how your child learns, communicates, and relates to others.
What If It’s Not Autism
No matter what the results reveal, we provide a detailed recommendations sheet tailored to your child’s needs to help support them and plan for their future.
What Do I Do With The Results?
Once you have the report, you’re not left alone to interpret it. Your clinician will walk you through:
- Strengths and weaknesses in your child’s learning profile
- Any diagnoses (such as ADHD, dyslexia, or an anxiety disorder)
- Personalized recommendations for school and home
- Suggested accommodations (like extra time on tests, breaks, or specialized instruction)
- Next steps, which might include academic tutoring, therapy, or a school support plan (like an IEP or 504 Plan)
You’ll also receive ideas on how to better connect with and support your child—not just academically but emotionally.
What If My Child Is Not In Preschool?
If you read this post and are worried that your child may need ASD testing you are not alone! Many children are not diagnosed with ASD until age 8. If you are concerned that your child is demonstrating behaviors that are consistent with autism you should contact your pediatrician, psychologist, or neuropsychologist and express your concerns to determine if more testing is necessary! Getting an evaluation at any age will help you and your family learn how to thrive by using your strengths to bolster your vulnerabilities.
We Are Here to Help
At Sasco River Center, we specialize comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations, including evaluations for autism, for children, adolescents, and young adults in Fairfield County, Connecticut, including Westport, Darien, Wilton, Fairfield, Greenwich, and surrounding areas such as Westchester County.
If your child is struggling, don’t wait—early intervention can make all the difference and increasing your understanding of your child’s profile is immensely helpful. We are here to help; contact us today!
Commitment to Inclusivity: Sasco River Center is an equal opportunity organization, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, disability, color, size, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic background. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all clients and colleagues.