Early Childhood Diagnostics and Treatment

For children from 12 months to about five years of age…

Are your child’s tantrums more than just tantrums?

Headbanging, screaming, crying for reasons that don’t always make sense to you. Sometimes other people think you’re crazy. They’ve never seen his tantrums or how hard you work at home every day. He’s always keeping himself occupied so sweetly.

Then they see what happens when you take away the iPad, move his car seat, he can’t take his train with him, or he’s around loud noise. It looks like a tantrum, but you can tell his feelings are bigger.

Why does he get so upset when you move things? Why do parties make him so mad? Why does he cry when you change his routines?

He’s little now, maybe this is just regular toddler frustration, but it feels like you are working harder to manage your child than other parents. What’s worse is that you worry that all these big feelings are causing your child to miss out. Is he happy?

Do they communicate differently?

At first, you couldn’t figure out what he wanted, but you developed a communication system after a while, or maybe he just pushes the stool up to the counter and gets it himself. It’s working with you, but you worry about when he gets to school or leaving him with other people. Will they know what he wants? Sometimes, it feels like he talks more to his toys than you. You wonder what he’s thinking.

Sometimes, he speaks in his little language or sounds like a little professor. Amazingly, he can memorize books and shows the way he does, but you wonder if other people understand how amazing he really is. Are the teachers at preschool building on these amazing skills? Or are they trying to put him in a box?

Do they have learning or cognitive differences?

You know your child is smart. She can say the alphabet and say whole sentences. But why doesn’t she respond to a question? She says some words, but they don’t seem like they are really used to communicating. Some days, she barely uses any words without you making her.

He can sort blocks by colors and line up all his toys, but you aren’t always sure if he understands you when talking to him. It’s on his own terms. Sometimes, he’s in his own world. What does that look like in preschool? Are all his amazing skills shining through in the classroom? Is he happy there?

Autism or ADHD?

Maybe your child is constantly moving, jumping, climbing? Parking lots are a nightmare. How often has she run away in the mall to find the escalators or the fountain? What’s going to happen when she goes to school? How can you keep your child safe?

Do they struggle with anxiety?

Maybe your child prefers to play alone than with the other kids. Is that because he wants to, or does he not know how to join in? You wonder if he’s too nervous about playing with the other kids or if things are the way he wants them.

Loud places really make her nervous. She wants to just go on the swings at the park – it seems to soothe her. Or maybe just walk around the outside of the playground. Sometimes spinning in circles or doing a “happy dance” calms her down.

Or maybe she has a few play routines she likes, but they have to be done in the same way, over and over. It really upsets her when things change. Does that matter?

We can figure it out.

You might be experiencing mixed emotions about this…

For some, this can be a scary process…

You’re worried that this diagnosis will change your child; or you are worried it will change the way other people see your child; or even worse, your worried that it will change how you see your child.

Will people judge you? Judge him? If there is a difference in how she develops, will that be the first thing people see? Will people still see and understand that your child has all these amazing strengths?

These fears are big, and we’ll address them or whatever other worries you have. Your child will be the same baby you know and love before and after the evaluation. I’ll work with you until you and I are sure that I understand your child. Since my evaluations are private, you can decide if and when to talk to teachers, schools, neighbors, or your family.

This might be something hard to go through right now. But, in the long term, you can save your child and yourself so much trouble by learning if there is a difference in their development and learning how to advocate for them to make sure that nothing stops them from being the amazing person you know they are.

For others, it can be a relief…

Many parents can feel that something is going on with their child. But they’re told to wait and see what happens by their pediatricians, friends, or family. This isn’t fair to you or your child. People can be cruel and dismissive to parents, and hearing that you’re just too anxious or worried doesn’t make you less worried. “Just do this, and just do that.” You’ve tried “this and that.” Telling someone to calm down never really calms them down. Saying “they are fine” doesn’t stop that feeling you have.

Getting the data and knowing for sure what’s happening can help your child move forward with the next steps. That’s how things are fine.

You don’t need to guess. You don’t need to wait and see. We can figure this out now.

I want to make this as comfortable as possible.

To the largest extent possible, we’ll work together in the warmth and comfort of your home or wherever you and your child will be most comfortable. I always want to make it as easy as possible for you both.

And when we’re in your home, I can get a better idea of what things are really like for your child – what makes him happy and what doesn’t. It’s “diagnosis in context.” Plus, having that information in my report will help future teams create goals and treatments tailored to your and your child’s needs.

If your home isn’t an option, we can meet remotely by telehealth (online). I’ve done that before, and it’s worked well.

And if neither your home nor online works well… no problem. I have office spaces in Paoli, Bethlehem, and growing partnerships in other areas.

Here’s what I offer to help…

Diagnostic Evaluations

We’ll start with a brief phone call (about 20 minutes) where you’ll tell me your thoughts and concerns. I’ll also have some questions to ensure I’m a good fit for your needs. If we are a good fit, I’ll send you consent forms and other paperwork to complete before our interviews.

If I’m not a good fit, I’ll do my best to refer you to resources that can help.

The evaluation will officially start with a parent interview. I want to know YOUR perspective. What do you see? Where does your child shine? With what does your child need help? This interview is usually done remotely and lasts 1-2 hours.

I’ll then assess your child (usually 1-2 hours). This is mostly “standardized,” like an ADOS or Cognitive assessment. But I’ll do a little more to get to know your child. Your child doesn’t fit in a test kit. We’ll play on the floor or work at a table if it makes sense. Then if you want, you can show me how you interact with your child. I’ll learn how they communicate, socialize, and play.

After assessing your child, I’ll give you my initial thoughts. I will be honest and straightforward with you. If I have an idea of what is happening, I’ll tell you. If I need more information, we’ll talk about that, too. And if we think it’s a good idea and you permit me, I might have a conversation with your child’s teachers, early childcare providers, etc. That’ll be up to you.

A few days to a week after the evaluation, we’ll have a follow-up meeting by phone or online. This is your time to ask me all YOUR questions, your mother’s questions, or your auntie’s questions! I’m here for it all.

I’ll provide you with a written report (usually 3-7 pages) describing what I saw and advice for the next steps to complete the evaluation.

This is a private evaluation, so you own the information. It’s up to you if, how, and with whom to share that information.

Confidential, expert second opinions

Autism evaluations are tricky – trust me – it took me years of working with children and families, undergrad, graduate school, traveling across the country, research, teaching, and specialized infant and autism training to start to get it. And I’m still always in awe of what children and families teach me every day.

Maybe you aren’t entirely confident in your previous evaluation, or you just want another set of eyes on the situation, like another perspective. I understand that autism looks different at different ages and for different people. We won’t see the same behaviors from a toddler with autism and a college student with autism. That can be tricky to understand.

We can develop a plan based on your child’s specific situation to think about what he needs and what makes the most sense in this situation.

We can talk and come up with a plan that makes sense.

Don’t wait, let’s talk now.

You’re here considering evaluation or treatment for your young child. You’re often in a position of not knowing, wondering, and uncertain.

But you don’t have to stay in that position. Call me today and let me help: (484) 535-4441.

Often, I can do evaluations quickly, allowing you peace of mind, faster access to services, and often the ability to save money due to increased benefits.