Child and Adult Autism Assessment
Autism evaluation is a specialized area and requires a deep understanding of development, brain styles, sensory needs, and communication. Dr. Chamberlain specializes in assessing children, teens and adults and helping them understand their unique brain style as well as strengths and interventions that support their goals.
Dr. Chamberlain is a neurodiversity affirming clinician. She believes that neurological differences are valid and valuable and helps individuals find ways to embrace and use them constructively. She recommends therapies that are helpful and respectful of neurological differences. Dr. Chamberlain works with many children, teens, and adults who are misdiagnosed or whose presentation does not fit into common patterns of autism. This includes individuals identified as female at birth who may be particularly good at masking and camouflaging (i.e. hiding behaviors or interests that do not appear neurotypical). Dr. Chamberlain listens to the voices of autistic individuals and recommendations are strength based but also acknowledge challenges and offers options for accommodations. Dr. Chamberlain is passionate about helping this population understand their brain style and design a life plan that works for them and their individual needs.
Developmental Assessment
Development is important for all children. While each child develops on their own trajectory, being too far outside typical development can be a source of concern. Understanding your child's development allows you to identify strengths and areas for growth. This information supports you in considering what services your child might benefit from as well as how you can continue to support a positive growth trajectory.
Intervening early is important and can be more efficient and effective. Developmental testing is offered for children birth to 18 and can include school and home observations as needed. Exploring areas of social-emotional, fine motor, gross motor, communication, and cognitive development can be part of the testing process. The evaluation process may include interviews, observations, assessment tools, and in-person assessment.
Once the testing is completed, you will receive a full developmental report with recommendations and suggestions about how to build on areas of strength and bolster areas of growth. Additionally, Dr. Chamberlain will support you as a parent in requesting any additional school services such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans (accommodations for mental health disorders), or other services such as Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), or Speech and Language Therapy (SLT).
Learning Assessment /Psychoeducational Testing
If your child is struggling in an academic setting, fully understanding what is happening is important. Your child may be coping with an undiagnosed learning disorder, a processing speed issue, or other academic issues. A full psychoeducational assessment allows us to understand where your child is struggling and how we can best support them.
Working with the school, we will fully assess and evaluate how your child learns best and what supports they may need to succeed to their fullest potential. Please note that these recommendations will be based on the data, not on desire. If your child does not qualify for certain accommodations such as extra time on tests, Dr. Chamberlain will not recommend them.
You will receive a report that outlines areas of strength and areas that would benefit from support. Dr. Chamberlain will offer recommendations related to accommodations, 504 plans, and/or IEPs. As part of the testing process, Dr. Chamberlain offers 1 complimentary hour to attend a school meeting to discuss options and ways to best support your child.
If your child is dealing with difficulty paying attention, focusing, or managing impulsivity, they may benefit from a full assessment to explore areas of strengths and areas that need support. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can show up in different ways. For some, it is difficult paying attention or sustain focus. For others, it can be difficulty with sitting still or keeping hands to themselves.
Disorganization, forgetfulness, and challenges staying motivated during difficult tasks can be other signs of ADHD. However, it is important to ensure that your child has ADHD and not something else, such as depression, a learning disorder, trauma, or another issue. While a shorter ADHD evaluation may offer a diagnosis, a full evaluation offers more specified information, especially if you child if struggling with more than just ADHD.
A full ADHD assessment allows us to understand the executive functioning for your unique child. ADHD shows up in different ways and the first step in creating a solid plan for your child is understanding them. After the assessment, you will receive a full report in additional to recommendations about how best to support your child. This may include a 504 plan or an IEP, depending on what we find with our assessment.
ADHD Assessment
Personality Assessment
Understanding your child's personality can be helpful as they grow and develop. At younger ages, we can understand how your child sees the world as well as their temperament. As they grow older, we can understand their personality more effectively using self-report measures.
This understanding helps us think about how our personalities work together and what areas might be challenging. This also helps us understand how best to support your child and possibly your family.
Psychological Assessment
When we are unsure what mental health issue or issues your child is struggling with, it is difficult to decide how to proceed. Figuring what is going on allows us to think about how to go forward with treatment. ADHD, trauma, anxiety, bipolar, and depression can share similar symptoms. It can be very confusing for parents and for your child.
Based on the testing, you will receive a report with findings and recommendations. However, remember that sometimes testing may not show definitive answers.
These recommendations will be based on the testing. If needed, this clinician will provide one complimentary hour of school consultation or consultation with other providers such as medical personnel or therapist. Tests will be chosen based on the needs of your child and the questions we are looking to answer.