When an individual is suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or a mental health disorder, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be a time-consuming, costly, and confusing process. However, the process can be made easier when qualified personnel are nearby. Qualified personnel can thoroughly assess the individual to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria for either, or for both. In this list, we have documented not only professionals who diagnose, assess, and/or treat an ASD but also list evaluation options for individuals who have or are suspected of having mental health challenges.
For children attending an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program/center, some are equipped with licensed personnel to perform diagnostic testing as part of or in addition to the intake process. Many ABA centers are primarily focused on obtaining a medical diagnosis and qualifying children for their specific program/center, and typically not on conducting an educational evaluation schools will accept for special education qualification purposes.
Further, many ABA programs and centers also complete programming assessments, including the Revised Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS®-R) and/or Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB MAPP). These ongoing assessments assist with ABA program development. Contact individual providers/centers to identify their assessment options.
For infants or toddlers prior to their third birthday, local First Steps Service personnel may be able to assist in locating trained personnel to evaluate the child. The phone number for your local First Steps can be obtained by calling (317) 232-1144 or (800) 545-7763. You will need to provide the name of the county where you live, and they will provide you with the number to call for your county. You can also visit the First Steps webpage to check their map: https://www.in.gov/fssa/firststeps/first-steps-offices/; click on your county to find information on your local First Steps Office.
It is not unusual that school districts or First Step providers will identify all children prior to the age of five who exhibit behaviors that cannot be reliably diagnosed with a Developmental Delay. This diagnosis is given to avoid prematurely diagnosing a child who may actually qualify for a diagnosis of ASD. Professionals strive to diagnose students as early as possible to facilitate early intervention, which is critical for future growth and development. Behavioral featues of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear early in development (though may not become obvious until children start school). Many children, however, show signs of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier: When do children usually show symptoms of autism? | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (nih.gov). For more information related to obtaining an early diagnosis, visit the Act Early Indiana website https://www.actearlyindiana.org/.
If you seek an evaluation/educational evaluation for an individual of school age, including ages three through five, contact your local school district for information. School districts employ school psychologists and other professionals who can assess school-age children to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria for special educational services. If your student is between the ages of 3 - 21, an educational assessment with a team of qualified professionals is required to determine eligibility for special education and related services. A “medical diagnosis” from a physician does NOT qualify an individual for educational services in the schools. Evaluations conducted through the school district are conducted at no cost to parents. If you have received a medical diagnosis, inform your school, and provide their school psychologist with a copy of the report. They can use the report as additional information when determining eligibility for educational services.
The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is the entry point for Indiana’s Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers for children and adults with developmental disabilities. An autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability because they manifest in early development. When applying for the Medicaid waiver through the BDDS office, you will need a “medical” diagnosis form filled out by a physician as part of the initial paperwork. For more information about the services available through the Waiver and the application process, visit our website https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/medicaid-waiver-programs-home-and-community-based-services-for-adults-and-children.html.
Call the state BDDS office at (800) 545-7763 to request contact information (e.g., phone numbers, names, addresses) for the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Field Service Office for the county in which you live or go to the BDDS webpage at https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/files/BDDS.pdf to find the phone number for your local office. More information can be found online at https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/developmental-disability-services/.
Community Mental Health Centers and other professionals can assist with services for mental health concerns. Visit the website for Division of Mental Health and Addictions at https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/find-a-local-service-provider/ to locate community options.
All service providers are now being listed on FINDER. You can search for providers who diagnose/assess by location, payment type, etc.
For those with disabilities and their families, trying to navigate a complex web of services, programs, and other disability-related community resources can be daunting. FINDER provides 24/7 access to community services, is easy to use, and supports first-time users with a step-by-step guide. For more experienced users, it has advanced search features. Regardless of how information is located, search results are immediately available, and can be saved for future use and shared.
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