A screening tool or an assessment is different than a formal diagnosis, and so no, a twenty-question questionnaire is not going to be the endpoint for you. There are professionals out there who specialize in this care, and they are trained in these assessments.

This is Practitioner Perspectives in Autism Care, a NeuroSage Hub podcast. Building Hope. Walking Together.

Welcome back to the NeuroSage Hub podcast, where we build hope, walk together on a structured path forward for the autism journey. I'm grateful to be here with Ashley Tamayo. I'm Justin Barton, and I’m grateful to be the host of this podcast and walk through this project as Ashley and I navigate through several topics that are important as we set up the foundation for NeuroSage Hub and for people navigating what it looks like to work with, live with, and be with an autistic person in our lives. Ashley, why don’t you take a minute and remind us who you are and where you’re from.

Thank you, Justin. I really appreciate that. Ashley Tamayo, licensed clinical social worker supervisor and the Director of Curriculum and Innovation for NeuroSage Hub. My background is primarily in clinical services, working with individuals, families, and groups, and I’ve really been entering into the world of research and education. I’ve been appreciative of the opportunity to work with NeuroSage Hub.

Thank you, Ashley. It’s always good to talk to you. We’ve already done seven of these conversations, and today we’re working on number eight. The topic we’ll be discussing today is what assessments actually matter and why. Ashley, why don’t you walk us through some of these assessments and why they matter?

Thank you, Justin. I’ll start by stating that assessments and screeners are different than a formal diagnosis. Sometimes we go on the internet, do our own questionnaire, and then label or diagnose ourselves or our family members. A screening tool or an assessment is different than a formal diagnosis, and a trained professional can use an assessment to lead toward that diagnosis.

One of the most common assessments is the ADOS, which stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. It is an in-person assessment conducted by a professional, usually about an hour long, and it’s play-based with the child. Some assessments are parent conducted, some are online, and some are in person. But the ADOS is one of the most researched and evidence-based tools used in the process toward a formal diagnosis.

I’m shocked. Searching through Dr. Google or Dr. Chat may not actually give us a diagnosis?

No. The internet is not always our best friend and can lead to very detrimental or misinformed information. A twenty-question questionnaire is not going to be the endpoint for you, so please don’t trust that alone.

I think there’s wisdom in that. After the ADOS, what other tools are commonly used?

Assessments are also age specific. The ADOS can begin around eighteen months and older. There are additional assessments designed for toddlers, school-age children, and even later identification and diagnosis.

Another assessment you may see is the ADI, the Autism Diagnostic Interview. This involves the parent and practitioner together. Sometimes a child may not yet be at a developmental stage where direct assessment is easy, so speaking with caregivers can provide the closest understanding of what is happening in the home or school environment.

These assessments are tailored to different ages and experiences and can combine observations from practitioners, parents, and teachers to provide a more complete picture.

Why is it important to have these different forms of assessments for different situations? Why can’t we just use one list of questions and move forward?

That’s a great question. When it comes to our family and our child’s care, it never hurts to have additional assessments or tools because they create a fuller picture.

A practitioner observing a child in a play-based setting may notice communication, social interaction, or special interests. But that is still a foreign environment for the child, and they may not be fully comfortable there.

Then you add the caregiver’s perspective from the home environment, where the child may feel safer and more like themselves. Bringing all of that together helps provide the most intentional and individualized diagnosis and care possible.

I’m aware of situations where a speech-language pathologist has had to revisit an assessment multiple times because the child wasn’t comfortable in the environment. How important is patience in this process?

Patience is a key word here. Kiddos and adults both have off days. Sometimes a child may be experiencing a meltdown during the assessment, and while that can be difficult, it can also help the provider understand triggers, frequency, duration, and regulation patterns in real time.

It may even help identify environmental adjustments that need to be made, like conducting future assessments in a quieter space. Understanding what a child experiences can ultimately help practitioners guide care and give families confidence that they are receiving intentional support.

That’s really helpful. Is there anything else about assessments and why they matter that you’d like to share before we wrap up?

I’ll just restate the difference between a screening and a formal diagnosis. We absolutely know our children best as parents and caregivers, and we should advocate for them. But there are professionals out there who specialize in this care and are trained in conducting these assessments. Bring your observations and information forward, and trust professionals to help guide your family toward understanding and support.

How can NeuroSage Hub support families and practitioners in this process?

What’s great about NeuroSage Hub is that we bring together education, assessments, and tracking tools. Families and practitioners can use individualized care plans, weekly logs, and assessments around things like sleep, mood, regulation, and diet.

We also provide educational courses and resources so families can troubleshoot specific challenges and continue learning. The goal is to provide a strong foundation of support and education for individuals and families navigating the autism journey.

Excellent. Thank you, Ashley, for walking us through this conversation about assessments and introducing ways NeuroSage Hub can help. There is hope, and that’s what we’re about here, building hope and walking together as a community on a structured path forward for the autism journey. Keep coming back, and we’ll see you next time.