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Autism Testing

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common reason to seek psychological testing. Dr. Pratt evaluates students with suspected ASD to clarify their diagnosis and educational needs. Each student with ASD will have different strengths and areas of concern, and it is important to complete comprehensive psychological testing to understand their individual needs. For information about psychological testing, please click here.

A clinical diagnosis of ASD requires meeting specific criteria regarding social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors as delineated in the DSM-5-TR. However, educational eligibility for special education services under Autism focuses on how these characteristics impact educational performance. An IEP team makes the determination regarding eligibility for special education services.

Psychological testing for ASD may be needed if a student:

  • Has trouble making friends and interacting socially
  • Interprets language literally and has difficulty with abstract language
  • Has trouble understanding humor and sarcasm
  • Is excluded by peers or withdraws from others
  • Resists changes in routines and has narrow interests
  • Has issues understanding other people’s perspectives and feelings
  • Has a history of unusual motor movements, such as toe walking or arm flapping
  • Has difficulty interpreting facial expressions and avoids eye contact
  • Has unusual sensory processing, such as avoiding touch or bright lights