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When you're seeking clarity about your child's development, professional autism testing provides the answers and support your family needs. At Think Happy Live Healthy, we offer comprehensive autism assessment services for children and adolescents up to age 21, designed specifically for families in Falls Church and Ashburn, Virginia. Our team of experienced school and clinical psychologists understands that behind every evaluation is a family seeking understanding, hope, and direction for their child's future.
Whether you're a working mother noticing early signs of autism spectrum disorder in your child or teenager, or seeking a formal diagnosis to access appropriate support services, our autism screening tools and diagnostic expertise provide the thorough evaluation your family deserves. We specialize in creating a warm, personalized experience for children and adolescents up to age 21 that honors your child's unique strengths while identifying areas where additional support may be beneficial.
Who We Serve
We provide comprehensive autism testing and assessment services for children and adolescents from toddlerhood through age 21. Our specialized approach is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of each age group:
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Toddlers and Preschoolers (16 months - 5 years): Early screening and assessment using age-appropriate diagnostic tools
School-Age Children (6-12 years): Comprehensive evaluation that considers academic and social functioning
Adolescents and Young Adults (13-21 years): Specialized assessment that addresses the complexities of teenage development and transition planning
Our school and clinical psychologists are experienced in working with this full age range, ensuring that your child receives developmentally appropriate assessment regardless of when you seek our services.
Understanding Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
Autism testing is a comprehensive process that goes far beyond simple checklists or single screening tools. Unlike medical conditions diagnosed through blood tests or other tests, autism spectrum disorder requires careful observation of your child's behavior, social communication patterns, and developmental history using evidence-based diagnostic tools.
Our autism assessment process examines several critical areas of your child's development:
Social Communication and Interaction: We observe how your child connects with other children and adults, their use of language skills, and their ability to engage in back-and-forth social communication. These patterns help our healthcare professionals understand your child's unique social interaction style within the autism spectrum.
Behavioral Patterns and Interests: Our evaluation includes assessment of repetitive patterns of behavior, intense interests, and sensory processing differences. We recognize that these characteristics often represent strengths and preferences rather than deficits.
Developmental History: Through detailed interviews with parents and other caregivers, we gather comprehensive information about your child's early milestones, current functioning, and any concerns that have emerged over time.
Functional Assessment: We evaluate how autism spectrum characteristics impact your child's daily life, including their success in school settings, relationships with other children, and family dynamics.
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Why Early Detection Matters
Early identification of autism spectrum disorder can significantly impact your child's developmental trajectory. Research shows that children who receive appropriate early intervention services demonstrate better outcomes in social communication, adaptive behaviors, and overall quality of life.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for autism at 18 and 24 months during routine visits with your child's pediatrician. However, many parents, particularly mothers who spend significant time observing their children's daily behaviors, often notice early signs even earlier. These parental observations are invaluable in the autism screening process.
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Early autism diagnosis provides several crucial benefits:
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Access to Services: Formal diagnosis opens doors to early intervention services, educational support, and therapeutic resources
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Family Understanding: Understanding your child's behavior patterns reduces stress and helps create supportive home environments
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Educational Planning: Early identification ensures appropriate accommodations from the beginning of your child's school experience
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Sibling Support: When families understand autism spectrum characteristics, they can better support all family members
Our Comprehensive Autism Testing Services
At Think Happy Live Healthy, we utilize gold-standard diagnostic tools to ensure accurate and thorough autism assessment. Our comprehensive approach includes multiple screening tools and evaluation methods designed to capture a complete picture of your child's development.
Evidence-Based Screening Tools
Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS): This comprehensive diagnostic tool provides structured guidelines for conducting thorough autism assessments. The MIGDAS offers a systematic approach to evaluating autism spectrum characteristics across different developmental levels and helps our psychologists gather detailed information about your child's social communication and behavioral patterns.
Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS): This evidence-based autism assessment tool evaluates autism spectrum behaviors across multiple settings and informants. The ASRS provides valuable insights into your child's functioning at home, school, and in community settings, allowing our team to understand how autism spectrum characteristics manifest in different environments.
Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2): This autism assessment tool provides quantitative measures of autism severity based on observable behaviors across different settings. The CARS-2 utilizes direct observation to help our school and clinical psychologists assess and classify the severity of autism spectrum disorder based on specific behavioral criteria, making it particularly useful for understanding your child's needs in school settings and interactions with other children.
Comprehensive Evaluation Process
Our formal evaluation process involves our specialized team of school and clinical psychologists, each bringing expertise to the autism diagnosis process for children and adolescents:
Developmental Assessment: Our team evaluates your child's overall development, including cognitive abilities, language skills, and adaptive functioning to understand how autism spectrum characteristics interact with other aspects of development.
Behavioral Observation: We observe your child's behavior across different activities and settings, paying particular attention to social communication patterns, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing preferences.
Family Interview: Detailed discussions with parents and other caregivers provide essential insights into your child's development, daily functioning, and family concerns.
Medical History Review: We consider your child's complete medical history, including any previous evaluations, to ensure comprehensive understanding of their developmental profile.
Our Specialized Team
Our autism assessment team includes experienced school and clinical psychologists who understand the complexities of autism spectrum disorder and the unique needs of each family with children and teens up to age 21:
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Licensed Clinical Psychologists: Our team includes specialists trained in autism diagnosis who conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations using standardized diagnostic tools for children and adolescents.
School Psychologists: Healthcare professionals with expertise in educational and developmental assessment provide insights into how autism spectrum characteristics affect your child's learning and school performance.
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Psychiatry Services: In addition to our autism testing services, we offer comprehensive psychiatry services to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and teens within our practice.
Each team member brings compassion, expertise, and understanding to the formal evaluation process, ensuring that your family feels supported throughout your autism testing journey. Our integrated approach means that following autism diagnosis, families have access to both psychological and psychiatric support services within our practice.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Personalized Care for Every Family
We recognize that no two children with autism spectrum disorder are exactly alike. Our autism assessment process is tailored to your child's unique needs, developmental level, and family circumstances. We take time to understand your family's concerns, priorities, and goals for the evaluation.
Family-Centered Philosophy
Our approach extends beyond the individual child to consider the needs of your entire family. We understand that autism diagnosis affects parents, siblings, and extended family members, and we provide support and resources for everyone involved.
Strengths-Based Perspective
While identifying areas where your child may need support, we also celebrate their unique abilities, interests, and strengths. Many children with autism spectrum disorder possess remarkable talents and perspectives that enrich their families and communities.
Comprehensive Support Network
Our services don't end with autism diagnosis. We offer ongoing therapeutic and psychiatric support through various evidence-based approaches for children and adolescents up to age 21:
Therapeutic Services:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Helping children and families develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Teaching mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness skills
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EMDR and Trauma-Informed Care: Addressing any traumatic experiences with specialized therapeutic approaches
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Somatic Therapy: Body-based interventions that support emotional and behavioral regulation
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Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Developing self-awareness and stress management abilities
Psychiatry Services: Our comprehensive psychiatry services provide additional support for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder who may benefit from psychiatric evaluation and ongoing psychiatric care. Our psychiatric team works collaboratively with families and our psychological team to provide holistic mental health support that addresses the unique needs of each child and adolescent.
Supporting Families Throughout the Process
Streamlined Intake Process
We understand that seeking autism testing can feel overwhelming, especially for busy families balancing work and home responsibilities. Our referral coordinator personally reviews every inquiry to ensure thoughtful matching with the right healthcare professional for your family's specific needs.
You'll connect with a real person—usually within a few hours, and always within 1-2 business days. We offer a free 15-minute consultation with your matched provider so you can feel confident before beginning the formal evaluation process.
Flexible Service Options
Recognizing the demands on modern families, we offer both in-person services at our Falls Church and Ashburn locations, as well as telehealth options when appropriate. This flexibility ensures that geography and scheduling constraints don't prevent your family from accessing quality autism assessment services.
Ongoing Support and Resources
Following autism diagnosis, we provide continued guidance as your child grows and develops. Our team helps families navigate educational planning, access community resources, and adjust support strategies based on changing needs.
The Journey Forward
An autism diagnosis often brings relief, understanding, and hope to families who have been seeking answers. It provides a framework for understanding your child's unique needs and accessing support services that can make a meaningful difference in their development and your family's well-being.
Many autistic individuals lead fulfilling, successful lives, contributing their unique perspectives and abilities to their communities. With appropriate support, understanding, and celebration of their strengths, children and teens with autism spectrum disorder can thrive in school settings, develop meaningful relationships with other children and adults, and pursue their interests and goals as they transition into young adulthood.
Integrated Care Approach
What sets Think Happy Live Healthy apart is our ability to provide comprehensive, integrated care for children and adolescents up to age 21. Following autism testing and diagnosis, families can access both psychological and psychiatric services within our practice, ensuring continuity of care and collaborative treatment planning. This integrated approach means your child's autism support team communicates effectively and works together toward shared goals.
Educational and Community Support
Following formal evaluation, we help families understand their options for educational support, community resources, and ongoing therapeutic services. Our team provides guidance on:
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Working with your child's school to develop appropriate accommodations
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Accessing early intervention services when applicable
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Finding autism-friendly community activities and social opportunities
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Connecting with other families who understand your journey
Contact Us for Autism Testing Services
If you're wondering whether autism testing might be appropriate for your child or teen (up to age 21), or if you're ready to begin the journey of comprehensive autism assessment, we invite you to reach out to our Falls Church or Ashburn offices. Our team of school and clinical psychologists is here to answer your questions, provide guidance, and offer the personalized care your family deserves.
During your initial consultation, we'll discuss your concerns, explain our autism screening process for your child's age group, and develop a plan tailored to your child's needs and your family's goals. We understand that every family's journey is unique, and we're committed to providing the support, expertise, and compassion you need during this important time.
Our comprehensive autism testing services, combined with our integrated psychiatric and therapeutic support, provide the clarity and direction families need to support their children's growth and development through childhood, adolescence, and into young adulthood.
Contact Think Happy Live Healthy today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward comprehensive autism assessment for your child or teen. Together, we can create a path forward that honors your child's unique gifts while providing the autism spectrum support they need to flourish in your family, school, and community.