AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Conditions We Treat
Since 2000, our board-certified child neurologists have cared for children and families across North Texas. What guides that care has never changed: a clear mission, a hopeful vision for every child, and five values you'll feel in every visit.
Understanding autism
Autism spectrum disorder affects how a child communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world, and it looks different in every child. Some children show signs in the first year or two of life; for others, differences become clearer at school age. Because autism varies so widely, a careful evaluation matters. It's how "we're not sure what's going on" becomes a clear picture of your child's strengths, needs, and next steps.
How evaluation works at our practice
We offer Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) testing in our office, a structured, personalized assessment considered a gold standard tool for evaluating autism. Here's what the process looks like.
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We start with your story
Your provider takes a detailed developmental history: what you've observed, when it started, and what school or daycare has noticed. Parents' instincts are real information, and we treat them that way.
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ADOS-2 assessment
Our certified physician assistant administers the ADOS-2, which evaluates crucial aspects of your child's development through structured interaction, play, and conversation. To your child, much of it feels like playing and talking, not being tested.
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Results and a plan, together
Your provider reviews the results with you in plain language and answers your questions. If your child receives a diagnosis, we build the next steps together, and ADOS-2 results can be used to obtain insurance approval for ABA therapy.
How we help after a diagnosis
There is no single treatment for autism, because there is no single way to be autistic. What helps is support matched to your child: therapies that build communication and daily-living skills, such as behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy, support at school, and treatment for co-occurring challenges like sleep difficulties or attention problems when they're part of the picture. Our role is to coordinate that support, connect you with the right services, and stay your partner as your child grows. A diagnosis is not a destination. We focus on what your child can do, who they can become, and the potential in their developing brain.
Preparing for your appointment
You don't need to arrive with answers. These things help your provider see the fullest picture of your child:
- Short videos of the behaviors or moments that concern you, since children rarely perform on cue in an exam room.
- Notes on your child's milestones: when they first smiled, babbled, walked, and spoke.
- Anything school, daycare, or therapists have shared, including reports or evaluations.
- A list of medications, supplements, and any prior testing.
- Your questions, written down. Appointment nerves erase good questions, and yours deserve answers.
One child, one team
Depending on your child's needs, your provider may recommend additional specialists, such as genetics, gastroenterology, psychology, or therapy services. When that happens, we help coordinate the referrals so the pieces of your child's care work together instead of in parallel.
Trusted resources for families
- CDC: Learn the Signs. Act Early. Milestone checklists and guidance on developmental monitoring from birth to age five.
- Child Neurology Foundation Family support programs and condition information across pediatric neurology.
READY TO TALK IT THROUGH?
Whether you're seeking a first evaluation or a second opinion, we're here. Early answers open doors.