Assessment & Testing Services

Common questions that can be addressed:

• How are delays in one area of development impacting development in other areas?
• Why is my young child struggling with behavior or social-emotional aspects of development at home or school?
• How has a stressful event impacted my child’s development or behavior?
• Does my child have ADHD or an emotional/behavioral disorder that could explain why we are struggling?

Areas of focus: Developmental/cognitive skills, speech and language skills, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, caregiver/parent-child relationship, and school functioning. Most appropriate for children who do not have a known/pre-existing diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Testing provider: A team including a clinical psychologist, developmental psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and a clinical psychology fellow

Typical scheduling: 4-6 consecutive Tuesday mornings; opportunities may be available for more flexible scheduling if needed

Common questions that can be addressed:

• Why is my child not meeting developmental milestones?
• Why does my child seem to have trouble with social skills?
• Does my child have autism spectrum disorder?
• What are some updated recommendations for my child with a diagnosis of austism spectrum disorder
• Do I have autism spectrum disorder?
• As an autistic person, what supports would be helpful as I transition to college or employment?

Areas of focus: Cognitive/developmental skills, speech and language functioning, social skills, emotional-behavioral functioning, and adaptive skills. A psychiatric evaluation is also included for older children, adolescents, and adults, when indicated.

Testing provider: A team including a clinical psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and a licensed social worker (for younger children) or psychiatrist (for older children, adolescents, and adults)

Typical scheduling: 2 consecutive half days

Common questions that can be addressed:

• Does my child have a learning disability?
• Does my child have ADHD, depression, or anxiety?
• Why is my child struggling in school?

Areas of focus: Cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention and executive functioning, social-emotional and behavioral functioning

Testing provider: Psychologist and/or psychology fellow

Typical scheduling: Multiple sessions lasting 2-3 hours over 3-4 weeks

Pediatric neuropsychological assessment is also available for a child, adolescent, or young adult with a qualifying medical diagnosis that may affect their cognitive abilities or their social/emotional health. This might include:

• Epilepsy
• Traumatic brain injury
• Chemotherapy treatments for cancer

Treatment-resistant depression evaluation: for children, adolescents, and young adults whose depression symptoms have not responded to medication and therapy.

Evaluation for Tic/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Trichotillomania: for children suspected of having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tics, or Tourette syndrome (TS).

Are you seeking autism, developmental, psychological, or neuropsychological assessment or testing services? The first step is to complete our developmental history questionnaire. This includes questions about the child’s health history, developmental milestones, and social interactions since birth. An individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan can be shared. You may also wish to include information about past or current care with a neurologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other specialist. Scroll down to learn about next steps and what to expect after testing.

After the developmental history form is submitted, the assessment team will review the information. This typically happens within 1-2 weeks. Based on the family’s questions and concerns, the team will determine the right process for the child. Parents may then be asked to complete more forms with information specific to the area of assessment.

After all forms are received and reviewed, the child is matched with an assessment team specific to the areas of concern. An in-person appointment is made to begin the evaluation process. This may be several months away. The wait time can vary, depending on the type of assessment.

Sometimes, YCSC does not offer the assessment or other services that would be the best fit for a child or family. This does not happen often but if that is the case, we refer parents to other providers who can help.

After every full evaluation, our clinicians share their insights and recommendations for care. All assessment processes include a meeting with parents/families to provide feedback on results, a written report including a diagnosis (if applicable) and recommendations, and referrals for services if needed.

The reports help parents and families understand various aspects of the evaluation process and what was learned. Parents may also share clinical reports with their child’s school. This may help determine accommodations for a child’s individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan.

We guide families through this feedback and any suggested next steps for care. This might include:

• Individual, group, or family therapy
  
• Parent support
  
• Working with schools to develop accommodations
  
• Discussing medication options with families
  
• Prescribing or managing medication

Some children may have the option to receive therapy at YCSC. For most types of therapy, patients must be residents of the Greater New Haven area. Children who live farther away return home for therapy or other treatment. Our team can recommend providers in their area.