Understanding Autism Diagnosis and Screenings

An autism diagnosis is a critical step in understanding your child’s unique needs and accessing the right resources. Our goal is to provide you with clear, accurate information to help you feel confident and supported throughout your journey. At Centria, we’re here to guide you through the autism diagnosis process, helping you understand what it means for your child and how we can support them moving forward.

We Care About Your Child With Autism

At Centria, we’re here to guide you through the autism diagnosis process, helping you understand what it means for your child and how we can support them moving forward.

Autism Screening

Autism screening is an essential step before a formal diagnosis. Screenings help identify children who may be at risk for autism and determine whether further evaluation is necessary.

Developmental Screenings

Developmental screenings typically occur during regular well-child visits with a pediatrician. These screenings assess your child’s growth and developmental milestones to identify any areas of concern.

Where Screenings Can Be Done

Screenings can be conducted in various settings, including your pediatrician’s office, schools or specialized clinics. If you have concerns about your child’s development, you can request a screening through your healthcare provider.

Parent or Guardian Request

As a parent or guardian, you have the right to request a developmental screening if you notice any signs of autism. Early screening can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, which can be crucial for your child’s development.

Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis

We offer a range of articles and videos to help you better understand your child’s unique needs.

How Centria Can Help

Centria offers a range of services designed to support children with autism from the moment of diagnosis through their developmental journey. Our team of experienced professionals is here to provide guidance, therapy, and resources tailored to your child’s unique needs.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Initial ABA Assessment

Initial Consultation

Your child’s ABA therapy journey begins with a thorough consultation, where our team will gather detailed information about their developmental history, behaviors and areas of concern. This consultation helps us tailor the assessment process to your child’s specific needs.

Observation and Interaction

During the initial assessment, our therapists will observe your child in various settings, such as at home or in a clinic, to better understand their behaviors, communication skills, and social interactions. These observations are crucial in creating an effective treatment plan.

Data Collection and Analysis

Our team collects data on your child’s behaviors, skills, and challenges throughout the assessment process. This data is then analyzed to identify patterns and areas of focus for an ABA therapy plan.

ABA Therapy: From Diagnosis to Treatment

Transitioning From Diagnosis to Therapy
Once your child has received an autism diagnosis, the next step is to begin ABA therapy. Our team will guide you through this transition, helping you understand the process and what to expect.

Long-Term Goals and Outcomes
ABA therapy is designed to achieve long-term positive outcomes for children with autism. Our focus is on helping your child develop essential life skills, improve communication, and enhance their social interactions.

Post-Assessment: Next Steps

After the initial assessment is conducted, the following steps are taken to begin ABA therapy.

Creating the Treatment Plan

Based on the assessment findings, our team will develop a personalized ABA treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs and goals. This plan outlines specific interventions, strategies and measurable objectives to track progress over time.

Family Involvement

We believe family involvement is key to successful ABA therapy. After the assessment, we work closely with you to ensure you understand the treatment plan and how to support your child’s development at home.

Ongoing Support and Adjustments

ABA therapy is a dynamic process that requires regular monitoring and adjustments. As your child progresses, we will continue to assess their needs and update the treatment plan to ensure it remains effective and aligned with their goals.

How Centria Supports Your Child’s Journey

At Centria, we are committed to providing continuous support throughout your child’s ABA therapy journey. From regular progress updates to ongoing adjustments to the treatment plan, we ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

We Are Here to Answer Any of Your Questions

Can you help me schedule an autism diagnosis appointment?
Yes, we can! At Centria Autism we have an entire team of specialists who can help you navigate through the often-complex process to begin ABA therapy, which all starts with a formal diagnostic evaluation. We will work with you to help locate and schedule a diagnostic evaluation and keep in contact with you along the way.
What do I do if my child has been diagnosed with autism?
If your child has been diagnosed with autism then the best next step is to start the process to begin ABA therapy. At Centria Autism, we will work side-by-side with you and your insurance providers and physicians to verify insurance coverage, get insurance authorizations and have an assessment scheduled as quickly as possible.
How long will it take for my child to start ABA therapy?
Depending on your location, and time of day you will have ABA sessions, we can start in as little as two weeks. After the Initial Assessment and Treatment Plan are developed, your Client Service Manager will contact your Health Insurance provider and submit for ABA coverage. We will be working on finding you a Behavior Technician that meets the needs of your child. Also, your Supervising Clinician will supervise the treatment plan and Behavior Technician moving forward. Once all staff is in place, and the ABA coverage through the insurance provider is authorized, we are ready to start!
What milestones should my child be reaching?
Understanding what typical social, emotional and motor-skill development to look for in your child is important and knowing what to do next is critical in setting your child on a path toward success. Below are example developmental milestones children should be reaching:

9 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Bears weight on legs with support
Sits with help
Babbles (says “mama,” “baba,” “dada”)
Responds to own name
Transfers toys from one hand to the other

1 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Crawls
Stands when supported
Searches for things that he or she sees you hide
Says single words like “mama” or “dada”
Points to things

18 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Points with intent to show things to others
Knows what familiar things are used for
Copies others
Gains new words
Knows at least six words
Notices when a caregiver leaves or returns

2 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Uses two-word phrases (for example, “drink milk”)
Knows what to do with common things such as brushes, phones, forks and spoons
Copies actions and words
Follows simple instructions

3 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES:
Copies adults and friends
Takes turns playing games
Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
Says their own first name and age

4 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Enjoys doing new things
Would rather play with other children than by themselves
Able to name some colors and numbers
Can tell you what they think will happen next in a book

If your child is displaying any sign of developmental delays when comparing to their expected milestones, it’s important to speak to your child’s physician as a diagnostic test or screening for autism spectrum disorder may be necessary.
What is the M-Chat?
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-ChatTM) is a screening tool that can be used to help determine if behaviors a child is showing could indicate that child has autism. The screener is not a formal diagnosis evaluation, and if you have any questions regarding the outcome of the screener, please consult with your physician as a formal diagnostic evaluation may be needed.