7 Best Autism Testing Providers in Denver
Autism Testing and Therapy in Denver, Colorado
Unraveling the Unique Strengths and Abilities that Lie Within
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) starts with a thorough and accurate autism spectrum evaluation. At Birch Psychology, we provide specialized autism spectrum disorder assessments across the age span- from one year to one hundred!
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum disorders have gained awareness in recent decades, leading to an increase in research, evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment approaches. While children ages nine months and older can be screened for autism, with many diagnoses being given between the ages of one and two, there are diagnostic tools for autism spectrum evaluations through late adulthood, which serves people who went undiagnosed throughout their lives, and never got to have the peace of understanding their neuro-divergence.
How is Autism Assessment Recommended?
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Screeners are useful tools that give information about whether a person may have a disorder. The Vanderbilt serves as a screener for ADHD- letting parents know whether their child may have an attentional disorder.
The Social Communication Questionnaire, or the Social Rating Scales, serve as screeners for Autism spectrum disorder. These screenings may be given to parents by pediatricians or schools, and they can let a parent know whether they need to seek an autism spectrum evaluation. If the screenings report a low likelihood of autism spectrum disorders, an autism diagnosis can be safely ruled out. If the screenings come back inconclusive or positive, families will often be referred for autism evaluations.
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Children engaged in speech therapy undergo assessment to determine the cause of their speech delay. Sometimes, this can flag a possibility of ASD.
Sometimes adults engaged in therapy services may have difficulty understanding the causes of their behavior, difficulties in social interactions, and sensory difficulties. A therapist trained to recognize autism in adults may recommend an autism evaluation to further their ability to support their client.
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Often, autism is first noticed as a potential diagnosis in early childhood. Early signs of autism, such as limited eye contact, lack of imaginative play, abnormal facial expressions, poor social interaction, and limited connection to other children, may be brought up by parents to their child's pediatrician or support network, and they may recommend diagnostic assessments to gain a deeper understanding.
7 of the Best Autism Testing Providers in Denver
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1. Anne Saurber, Ph.D.
• Credentials: PhD
• Education:
◦ Birch Psychology (Current) - Post-Doctoral Fellowship
◦ University of Colorado School of Medicine (2021) - Pre-Doctoral Internship, Clinical Health Psychology
◦ Saint Louis University - Doctorate - Clinical Psychology - Trauma Specialization
◦ Saint Louis University - Master’s - Clinical Psychology
◦ Metropolitan State University of Denver - Bachelor’s - Psychology & Human Services with concentration in Addiction Studies
• Population(s): Adults
• Location: Greenwood Village
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2. Korrie Allen, Psy.D.
• Credentials: PsyD
• Education:
◦ St. John’s University - Doctorate - Psychology
◦ Notre Dame - Bachelor’s - Psychology
• Population(s): Children & Adults
• Location: Denver
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3. Stephanie Pinch, Psy.D., M.Ed
• Credentials: PsyD
• Education:
◦ University of Denver (2023) - Doctorate, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology
◦ University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Early Childhood (2022) - Pre-Doctoral Internship
◦ University of Denver (2020) - Master of Arts, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology
◦ George Mason University (2014) - Master of Education, Special Education
◦ Elon University (2012) - Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Neuroscience
• Population(s): Children
• Location: Denver & Greenwood Village
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4. Bridget Kromrey, Psy.D.
• Credentials: PsyD
• Education:
◦ The University of Kansas Medical System (2022) - Fellowship, Clinical Child Psychology
◦ The University of Denver (2021) - Doctorate, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
◦ The University of Denver (2017) - Master's - International Disaster Psychology
• Population(s): Children and Adults
• Location: Denver
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5. Elly Maras, Ph.D.
• Credentials: Ph.D.
• Education:
◦ University of Denver - Child Family and School Psychology, Ph.D.
◦ John Carroll University -School Psychology, Masters
• Population(s): Children
• Location: Denver
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6. Colleen Corcoran, Ph.D
• Credentials: PhD
• Education:
◦ Birch Psychology (2023) - Post-Doctoral Fellowship
◦ University of Arizona (2022) - Doctorate, College of Education, School Psychology
◦ Northern Arizona University (2017) - Specialist in Education, School Psychology
◦ Ohio University (2012) - Bachelor's, Child and Family Studies
• Population(s): Children
• Location: Denver
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7. Alana Fryer, Psy.D.
• Credentials: PsyD
• Education:
◦ Legacy Center (2014-2016) - Post-Doc Fellowship
◦ University of Denver (2014) - Doctorate, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology
◦ University of Denver (2009) - Master of Arts, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Forensic Psychology
◦ University of Colorado at Boulder (2004) -Bachelors, Psychology
• Population(s): Children & Adults
• Location: Denver
FAQs about autism evaluations
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ASD assessments focus on development from a psychological perspective by considering social, emotional, communicative, adaptive functioning, and behavioral development. When necessary, these tests are conducted in collaboration with professionals from other disciplines, such as speech or occupational therapists.
At Birch Psychology, we utilize the “gold standards” of autism assessments:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS, 2nd Edition)
The Autism Diagnostic Observation schedule is the most crucial piece of the assessment, providing insight into an individual's social interactions, sensory difficulties, and abnormalities of daily life.
Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)
The Autism Diagnostic Interview is a structured parent interview that learns about a child's early history in regards to speech, social interaction, support, ability to respond, and general behaviors.
Additionally, we also employ assessments that consider cognition, behavior, and social/emotional development.
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An Autism evaluation is a very comprehensive evaluation. In order to provide a confident diagnosis, there must also be "rule-outs".
Rule Outs
With any developmental, behavioral, or mental health diagnosis, there are many other similar diagnoses that share many symptoms. It is very important to be sure that the correct diagnosis is chosen, and to do so, the other similar disorders must be ruled out. Spectrum testing requires a thorough testing process designed to rule out non-applicable, yet similar presenting diagnoses.
Similar Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD and ADHD), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, general developmental disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, vision disorders, and speech disorders share many symptoms and presentations with autism. Obtaining an autism diagnosis is not possible without also completely brief questioning and screening into these areas, in order to assess if they are a part of the large puzzle that is the brain!
Can I have multiple disorders?
Sometimes, these similar disorders can be diagnosed in addition to autism spectrum disorder, rather than ruled out. Co-morbid disorders require additional support and assessment.
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The range of cost with a licensed clinical psychologist certified to give ASD assessments is $2500-$3400. The cost of an autism spectrum disorder assessment will vary depending on age and history of previous assessment.
Age
Child autism testing will often be more expensive than adult autism testing. This is due to the additional assessments needed to ensure a child's behavior is not explainable by developmental factors they may grow out of or other diagnoses that cannot be diagnosed until a child is older.
When a person reaches adulthood, they have a long history of symptoms and behavior to report, which can take the place of these extra assessments needed for younger children.
History of Previous Testing
As mentioned in this article, there are many similar disorders that share features with autism spectrum disorder. If an individual has been tested for another disorder, portions of this previous assessment can be used in their autism evaluations.
As an example, an intelligence test may have been conducted for a child's admission to school. This intelligence test would also be given in an autism assessment, and therefore an assessor can utilize these results in their ASD evaluations. This decreases the cost of assessments.
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For many, it can feel like a life-changing event. However, obtaining knowledge on how your brain works, understanding of your behaviors, and support with options for treatment can improve well being. Avoiding assessment does not negate the diagnosis, but rather may impede success in social relationships, work, and therapy services.
ASD assessments are crucial to understanding an individual's unique cognitive and behavioral patterns, and for enabling targeted therapeutic intervention. Receiving an autism diagnosis can provide comfort, peace, awareness, and answers. It will also provide guidance for therapeutic services, behavioral therapy, and their families with practical strategies for managing daily life successfully.
Our team is committed to making the process as comfortable and informative as possible. Therefore, our experienced professionals use evidence-based tools and methods to offer deep insights that are key to individuals living with ASD.
Identify Strengths & Abilities with ASD Testing
Whether you're seeking an assessment for yourself or a loved one, we're here to offer the support, understanding, and professional services you deserve. To book your consultation with Birch Psychology, contact us today.
More Adult Autism Testing Denver Resources
Birch Blogs about Adult Autism Testing
Talking to your child about an Assessment
Signs of Learning Disorders in Children