Yes. We serve as a child’s medical home and provide ongoing primary care.

No. Autism evaluations are a specialty service within our broader pediatric practice.

Testing for autism can be performed on children as young as 12 months of age. However, I find that testing is most reliable if done on children 18 months of age or older. Some children will have subtle signs, while others will have more notable signs.

If you have concerns about the possibility of autism, it is generally better to have your child evaluated sooner rather than later. If your child does meet criteria for autism, they can qualify for early intervention programs. Even if you choose not to enroll your child in therapy, understanding your child’s behavior and needs can go a long way toward knowing how to support them.

The full evaluation, which takes about 3 hours, includes:

• A 90-to-120-minute visit with parents, caregivers, and/or patient (depending on age) to obtain a thorough history. This includes:

  • A comprehensive developmental and behavioral history based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R).

  • A comprehensive *medical history *to help evaluate for other causes of concerning behaviors (such as ADHD, anxiety, OCD, sensory processing conditions, genetic disorders, or another contributing medical condition).

• ADOS-2 testing is a 45-minute standardized evaluation utilizing various activities (toys, puzzles, reading) based on age and language abilities. This can be done on the same day as the history-taking visit or on a separate day, depending on age.

It takes me about 2 weeks to complete the scoring for the ADOS-2 and ADI-R and write a comprehensive report of my findings, diagnostic impression, and recommendations. I will email you a copy of the report and schedule a follow-up phone call or virtual visit to answer any questions. I will also mail you a hard copy of the report if requested.

If your child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), then I can provide a prescription for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. This type of therapy can be covered by most insurance plans, including Medicaid.

I have ten years of experience working in pediatrics with a range of children of all ages. I have cared for many children on the autism spectrum. Because I see a variety of children and teens (including those with and without autism), I am better able to differentiate between neuro-typical and neuro-atypical behaviors. I can also help identify if there are other factors at play, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, intellectual delays, or other medical conditions.

I completed specific training to perform ADOS-2 testing through the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Center for Autism Research & Drexel University A. J. Drexel Autism Institute. I use standardized assessment tools for all evaluations.

I will provide you with a “superbill”, which is an itemized receipt with CPT codes that insurance companies use for billing purposes. You can try to submit this bill with a claim form to your insurance company for reimbursement for part or all of the cost of the autism evaluation. Some insurance companies may allow such claims while others will not. It is a good idea to call your insurance company and ask about this prior to scheduling an appointment if you plan to try to seek reimbursement. I cannot provide claim forms or specific instructions (since every insurance company has its own restrictions and requirements), only the superbill. I also cannot submit claims on your behalf.

No. Generally, we can schedule the evaluation within 2-4 weeks.

You can call me directly any time at (336) 962-5308 , or email me at admin@ariamdiazmd.com

I generally reserve slots for autism evaluations on Wednesdays.

For younger children (toddlers and young school age children), I recommend a two-part visit. You would bring your child into the clinic in the morning for the ADOS-2 test. Later that day, I would carry out the ADI-R interview with you (the parent/guardian) over Zoom. This is to avoid having to have your child in the clinic for more than an hour, which can cause them to get tired and fussy.

For older children and teens, I can complete the entire process during a 3-hour appointment slot.

Appointments that are cancelled or re-scheduled with less than 48 hours notice will incur a $150 cancellation fee. No shows will incur a $150 no-show fee and will not be re-scheduled.