Evaluation
For the last 14 years, I have served as the Director of the University of Miami’s Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic whereby I provided comprehensive psychological and psycho-educational evaluations, trained advanced level doctoral students, and contributed to cutting edge research related to neurodevelopmental disabilities. In addition to testing children and adolescents with a variety of presenting problems (Specific Learning Disorders, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, OCD, etc.), I am particularly skilled in assessing individuals of all ages (infancy through adulthood) who have or are suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am one of the few psychologists in Florida certified as a research-reliable administrator of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2), the gold standards in ASD assessment.
I am often sought out for evaluation of particularly complex individuals, who are historically difficult to diagnose, given their unique symptom presentation. I choose appropriate tests based on the referral question and the client’s current functioning level. I often incorporate behavioral strategies, such as reward systems, frequent breaks as needed, and visual cues (picture schedule, timers, etc.) to obtain optimal performance.
Areas of Specialization:
- Diagnosing or ruling out ASD when symptoms are subtle
- ASD in female-born individuals
- Unique learning difficulties in youth with ASD
- Comorbid conditions in those with ASD (ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, Tic Disorders, Impulse-Control Disorders, Disruptive Behaviors, Mood Disorders)
- Behaviorally challenging children
- Nonverbal persons
- Telehealth assessment of ASD
For more information or to schedule an evaluation with me, contact me. I am happy to provide a free phone consultation to talk more about your particular needs and how I can help.
