Our integrated treatment model implemented by our multidisciplinary treatment team is the ideal approach for treating children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Spectrum Assessment
Our center administers a series of assessments that have been deemed the “gold standard” for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through these different assessments, our qualified doctoral level psychologists make an accurate diagnosis, while determining if a co-existing disorder is present. We frequently see depression or anxiety accompany an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, however, there are many other possible co-existing disorders. A comprehensive report of the findings will be written; included will be a diagnosis, if there is one, recommendations for treatment, and academic accommodations, if appropriate. This report includes the required assessments schools and colleges require for academic accommodations.
If a client already has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, they will complete the Initial Diagnostic Assessment. This assessment reviews previous testing, the client's developmental, medical, academic and psycho-social history. This assessment uses rating scales and a clinical interview to identify the clients current functioning, presenting concerns, any possible co-existing disorders, and then will determine the client's specific treatment needs.
Individualized Treatment Plan
An individualized treatment plan is developed for each client based on the psychologist’s assessment and treatment recommendations to address the client's specific treatment needs.
To address the impacts of an autism spectrum disorder, specialized treatment services will be included in the treatment plan. These can include, cognitive behavioral therapy will be used to address self-esteem, manage their feelings of anxiety, anger, depression, and reduce their feelings of inadequacy arising from their difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Role play, life skills coaching, exposure therapy to triggering situations, social skills training, and group therapy will help the client develop and implement more effective social skills and become more confident in social situations.
Teaching parents research-based strategies in parent counseling, parent child interaction therapy, behavioral treatment plans and family therapy are effective in helping parents feel more effective and competent in the management and support of their child.
Therapists can also work with the child's teachers to help them implement more effective accommodations, and behavioral management plans in the classroom. Therapists can also provide teachers with more effective intervention strategies when the child becomes overwhelmed by anxiety or has explosive outbursts.
Parent support and counseling groups are valuable in helping parents meet, support, and learn from other parents coping with similar situations.
What is an Initial Diagnostic Assessment?
An Initial Diagnostic Assessment is a report that can evaluate a client’s emotional health and well-being. A clinician will provide a clinical interview to determine a mental health diagnosis and eligibility for treatment.
What to expect:
On the day of this appointment, the time spent in our office for an Initial Diagnostic Assessment will be approximately 2- 2 ½ hrs. New client paperwork must be completed and brought to this appointment. The first hour will be with one of our staff who will help administer rating scales.
The next 1-1 ½ hours will be spent with the clinician. He or she will meet with the parents/family members and actual client as appropriate. Previous history will be discussed as well as current symptoms.
Upon completion, clients will schedule a Treatment Planning Session with the Client Care Coordinator as well as the clinician who completed the Initial assessment to go over the findings as well as review treatment recommendations. This appointment is included in the cost of the Assessment.
How are the results of the Initial Assessment used?
A report of the assessment findings and recommendations is compiled and the client will meet with the Director to review the report and discuss a customized treatment plan. The treatment plan could include any of the following services:
Assessment Report
Based on the information gathered and client's behavioral responses during the clinical interview and testing and the client's performance on the cognitive tests the psychologist makes a diagnosis and develops a report containing the assessment results, conclusions, diagnosis and recommendations for treatment and accommodations to be implemented at school and home to support the client.
Feedback and Treatment Planning
The clinician will review the report with the client and their parents then develop an integrated treatment plan which addresses all the client's specific treatment needs and focuses on the client's strengths and weaknesses.
Who should complete an ADHD Cognitive Assessment?
Clients presenting with following symptoms would benefit from a ADHD Cognitive Assessment:
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation at The Woodlands Behavioral Health & Wellness Center?
A Neuropsychological Evaluation is a comprehensive, individualized assessment of cognitive, behavioral and psychological functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation evaluates how alterations in typical development, brain disorders, or brain injuries affect functioning. Results reveal the individual's strengths and weaknesses across a variety of abilities and cognitive functions, including:
How does a Neuropsychological Evaluation differ from a Core Evaluation or testing completed at school?
A Neuropsychological Evaluation is completed by a neuropsychologist who underwent extensive training in brain development and brain-behavior relationships. This specialized training allows the neuropsychologist to administer and interpret a customized, comprehensive set of standardized assessments to determine the presence of and reason for any functional difficulties. The neuropsycholgist is then able to provide comprehensive recommendations on how to maximize strengths and compensate for any potential areas of weakness with the goal of improving the individual's functioning at home, at school or work, and in relationships.
What is the evaluation like?
A Neuropsychological Evaluation first begins with a comprehensive diagnostic interview in which detailed information regarding the individual's developmental, medical, educational, and psychological history will be gathered from the patient and relevant family members (i.e., parents, spouse). Following this interview, the patient will complete a comprehensive battery of standardized assessments with the neuropsychologist. No invasive or imaging procedures are completed as part of this evaluation. All assessments are completed verbally, via pencil and paper, or via computer. Testing may be completed over 1-2 days depending on the patient's age and stamina. Once all testing has been completed, a feedback appointment will be scheduled 2 weeks out to allow the neuropsychologist time to score, interpret the results, and write a comprehensive evaluation report. At the feedback session, the results, diagnosis, and recommendations will be discussed at length and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. A copy of the report will be provided.
Who needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A Neuropsychological Evaluation is recommended when an individual has a history of abnormal development, brain disorder, brain injury, or other medical conditions that can impact brain functioning. Specific referral diagnoses may include:
Additionally, a neuropsychological evaluation may be recommended prior to and/or following certain medical treatments so that the individual can be closely monitored for alterations in functioning commonly associated with certain medical treatments (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, brain surgery).
Finally, a neuropsychological evaluation may be recommended if an individual has been previously evaluated by a psychologist or educational diagnostician and the recommendations following that evaluation have not been helpful or if family members believe their concerns were not fully addressed.
When does someone need a psychological/personality assessment?
When a client is having problems at work or school, or in personal relationships or just coping with everyday demands, a psychological assessment can help identify whether he or she may be having issues with emotional regulation or interpersonal skills, experiencing anxiety or depression or personality traits such as rigidity or introversion that be contributing to the problem.
The underlying cause of a person's problems isn't always clear. For example, if a student is not getting along with other students do they have poor social skills, are they depressed or have social anxiety or do they have anger management problem? A psychological assessment will allow the psychologist to understand the nature of the problem, and develop an effective individualized treatment plan which addresses the clients specific treatment needs.
A psychological/personality assessment includes:
Screening using Standardized Rating Scales
Rating scales are efficient tools for screening the client's cognitive, academic/vocational, social and psychological functioning and identify primary or secondary issues and areas that need more in-depth assessment.
The Clinical Interview
The clinician conducts a formal clinical interview with the client before the start of the psychological /personality testing. This interview can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, and includes questions about the individual’s personal and childhood history, recent life experiences, work and school history, and family background.
Our clinician will use the results of the rating scales to question the client more closely about areas identified in the rating scale reports. They will also check on the clients relationships, sleep, diet, exercise routines and other areas which are often impact or are impacted by the client's psychological issues. Valuable information is gained through interviewing. When it’s for a child, interviews are conducted not only the child, but the parents, teachers and other individuals familiar with the child. Interviews are more open and less structured than formal testing and give those being interviewed an opportunity to convey information in their own words.
Standardized Testing
We use the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories (MMPI) for adults and adolescents (MMPI) or the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventories for adults, pre-teens and adolescents. These are empirically –based standardized psychological/personality tests which are administered on and scored by a computer and are designed to accurately identify psychological problems and personality traits. In children or in the case of children and adolescents emerging personality traits. The psychological profiles obtained from these psychological, personality tests provide relevant information to aid in supporting or confirming hypothetical diagnoses made by the psychologist, identifying problems, the root causes of those problems , identifying deeper pervasive clinical issues and treatment planning.