FAQ's

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Autism is a developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function.

Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Difficulty initiating communication with others - Rather than asking for help with something, the child may struggle alone without looking around for assistance

Unable to initiate and respond to opportunities to share experiences with others - Children with autism may not follow their parents gaze or initiate contact with others

Different way of playing with toys - Instead of using a toy as it is meant to be used, like picking up a toy fork and pretending to eat with it, the child may do something different with the toy

Significantly reduced variety of sounds, words, and gestures used to communicate - Compared with typically developing children, children with autism have a much smaller inventory of sounds, words, and gestures that they use to communicate with others.

Autism is known as a spectrum disorder because it affects each individual in different ways and to varying degrees. No two people with autism will have the same exact set of behaviors which can range from mild to severe.

It is required that a parent or legal guardian be present for the evaluation.

The evaluation typically takes approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the needs/concerns for your child.

The evaluator will play / interact with your child. The evaluator may also ask you to play with your child for observational purposes and to assist in the evaluation process in order to obtain your child’s optimal performance.

The evaluation can be done in a family members home, daycare, babysitter’s home, preschool, foster care agency or any location that presents a typical environment for the child.

There is no out of pocket cost to the family since it is a service funded through the New York State Department of Health.

The evaluations consist of two parts, making them a multidisciplinary evaluation. After the first two clinicians evaluate your child, they will notify the evaluation department if further evaluations need to be conducted. Note: Some evaluations are completed together, meaning that both evaluators come in together and there is only one evaluation date. Other times the evaluators will come in at separate times to evaluate your child.

The evaluations and the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) must be completed within 45 days of the initial date of referral to the respective Department of Health.

After all evaluations are completed you receive a copy of the evaluation package in the mail. The evaluation package will include a formal report from each evaluator as well as a summary of the findings. Each report will document the formal testing results as well as findings based on parent report and evaluator observation.

Once you receive the Evaluation packet in the mail a call will be made by the first evaluator or the Clinical Coordinator of Evaluations, and he/she will discuss the findings of the evaluation with you. You will have every opportunity to discuss and understand the results at that time.

The Developmentalist or Evaluator cannot give you the results the same day; however, preliminary findings, if any, can be reviewed with you. Eligibility for services and any recommendations for services are formulated after the completion of the multidisciplinary evaluation.

A Health Assessment (including blood work, immunization history, and lead levels for children 1 year and above) is a pre-evaluation requirement. The evaluation process is not complete without this documentation.

In most instances an evaluator will be available to conduct the evaluation in the dominant language. If not, it is the responsibility of the evaluation agency to contract with an interpreter to assist in the evaluation process.

When a child is deemed eligible at the IFSP meeting, services are required to begin within a reasonable time frame. The recommended start date of services will be documented on the IFSP.

Children are eligible to receive services if they have a mild to moderate delay of -1.5 Standard Deviation or 25% or more in two developmental domains or a significant delay of -2 Standard Deviation or 33% or more in one developmental domain.

There could be as few as one evaluator or as many as 6 evaluators.

Clinicians will call you at home, on your cell or at work, if preferred, to schedule the date(s) of evaluation within 48 hours after the referral has been made to the evaluation agency.

You can request a re-evaluation 6 months after the initial evaluation.

You as the parent, your child’s Service Coordinator, and Early Intervention will receive copies of your child’s report. You may request for a daycare or your child’s pediatrician to receive a copy of the reports once a consent is signed.

That is your parental right. You can also re-open the case at a later time if desired.

Yes, unless the parent provides written consent to release the information to other designated parties.

A Family Assessment is conducted to identify formal and informal family supports, and incorporates the family’s description of resources, priorities, and concerns. A parent interview is used to specifically discuss the family’s concerns surrounding their child’s development.

You will need to sign consent forms sent to you by your Initial Service Coordinator to allow the evaluation process to begin as well as consent forms by each evaluator that comes to evaluate your child.