Getting Assessed for Nuerodevelopmental Disabilities: What You Need to Know

If you think your child may have a neurodevelopmental disability (ND), early intervention is key since most brain development happens within the first five years of life.

But before you can start intervention, the first step is getting assessed.

Standard Assessment Tests and What to Expect

The standardized assessment tools that are in use today are:

●      The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)

Considered the gold standard in diagnosing autism, this assessment can be used with children as young as 12 months of age right up through adolescence and adulthood. It involves a 30- to 60-minute assessment where a specialist interacts directly with the child in social and play activities.

●      The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales

This approach consists of parent interviews and direct observations of natural play in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to collect information about gestures, facial expressions, play behaviors, and other markers of communication development.

●      Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R)

Based solely on parent interviews, this assessment uses a list of 93 questions to collect information on the developmental history of the child focusing on communication and language skills, social interactions, and repetitive and obsessive behaviors. It is considered most effective in assessing children ages 4 and up.

Common Challenges in Getting Assessed

Most families that have to navigate the neurodevelopmental healthcare system have been affected negatively by the inefficiencies of the assessment process.

The biggest obstacle is often the time it takes to get assessed. Due to a shortage of trained professionals available to administer the standard assessments, it can take up to a year for a child to get seen and evaluated. And many insurance companies will not recognize an autism spectrum diagnosis (ASD) as valid, or cover treatments, without a completed assessment.

How AI May Help Speed Up Assessment Wait Times

Hope is on the horizon, however, as new tools are constantly being developed that have the potential to improve the timeline of these assessments and accelerate the therapy process.

One of the most promising advancements is an AI-powered technology known as the EarliPoint Evaluation. This tool uses a smart camera that scans a child’s eye up to 120 times per second, collecting information that can assist in the diagnosis of autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Some of the benefits of the EarliPoint Evaluation include:

Fast tracks assessment

Condensing the time frame to a single session and eliminating lengthy wait times

Proactively identifies markers of autism

Versus waiting until delays and problems emerge

Can be used in children as young as 16 months

Supporting early intervention

Captures objective data

Based on how the child’s brain processes information

Indicates future developmental and behavioral delays

Leading to more personalized treatment options

With its recent approval by the FDA, the EarliPoint Evaluation is on its way to being approved for use in specialty centers. But until technology like this is widely available, the initial assessment delays will persist. These delays are even more prevalent in low-income areas where the lack of trained professionals in the ASD sector has compounded the problem.

What You Can Do While You Wait for an Assessment

While you are waiting, there are many ways you can be proactive with your child’s care at home.

An effective advocate is an informed advocate, so it’s essential to stay on top of the research on NDs. Some of the best things you can do are:

●      Review the literature

Check out our Resources page for a list of high-quality case studies, biographies, and the latest research from recognized experts and thought leaders on neurodiversity.

●      Listen to podcasts

Our favorites include Uniquely Human, The Neuro Diversity Podcast with Emily Kircher-Morris, Neurodiversity with Theo Smith, and Autism & Neurodiversity. 

●      Find local support groups in your area

Connecting with your community is a wonderful way to stay informed and build a network of support. Support groups can often be found through searching Google as well as requesting referrals from your healthcare provider.