Herman & Associates
OBTAINING AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
The first step in determining the needs of any individual with an Autistic Spectrum disorder is to complete a comprehensive psychodiagnostic evaluation. Every person on the Spectrum is an individual with specific relative strengths and weaknesses. While individuals with AS generally have a cluster of symptoms, not everybody with AS will have the same symptomatology. They are all different.
It is critical to get an accurate diagnosis. Individuals with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder are often misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), various disruptive behavioral disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Language Disorders, Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS. While elements of these other diagnoses are often evident in individuals with ASD, they are tangential to the more umbrella parent ASD.
Our comprehensive evaluations include the attention module, cognitive module, specific subtests from our academic module, and the social-emotional module. Our goal is not only to accurately diagnosis an ASD, but to also collect plenty of additional information that would guide and support a full treatment plan.
Once an accurate diagnosis is made, an individualized plan can be generated to promote greater independence. It is important to remember that ASD’s are genetic pervasive developmental disorders that are life-long conditions. While individuals with ASD will always have ASD-like symptoms, an effective long-term treatment plan that typically includes individual and family counseling, transition services to promote independent living skills, dissemination of results to the individual with ASD to improve self-awareness (especially regarding managing sensory sensitivity, thoughts, and emotions), and a comprehensive academic plan. Our therapists work to improve coping skills, affect regulation, social and communication skills, dating experiences, estate planning with parents, and ability to read nonverbal social cues.
