Child Autism

Every child develops at their own pace, but when certain patterns in communication, behavior, or social connection give you pause, it is worth taking a closer look. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience challenges with social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors, and the earlier those challenges are identified, the better the outcomes. A professional autism assessment can provide the diagnostic clarity your family needs to understand your child and get them the right support as soon as possible. 

At Old Town Psychology, we offer comprehensive child autism assessments in Alexandria, VA, starting at 16 months of age. And we have immediate openings, so your child will not spend months on a waitlist while questions go unanswered.

What Is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a form of neurodivergence that affects the way a person communicates, processes sensory information, engages socially, and experiences the world around them. The word “spectrum” reflects the wide range of ways autism can present. No two people with autism are exactly alike, and strengths and challenges vary significantly from person to person.

In the United States, autism affects 1 in 36 children, making it more common than many families realize. It is also highly heritable; research suggests that approximately 80% of autism cases have a genetic component, though no single definitive cause has been identified.

Because autism affects so many areas of development, early and accurate identification is one of the most powerful tools available to support a child’s growth. The sooner a child receives an accurate diagnosis, the sooner targeted interventions, therapies, and school accommodations can be put in place, giving them the best possible foundation for learning, relationships, and independence. At Old Town Psychology, we can detect ASD in children as young as 16 months old.

Signs and Symptoms of Child Autism

ASD presents differently across age groups, and some signs are more apparent in toddlers while others emerge more clearly during the school years. In fact, for some children, signs of autism do not become apparent until they start elementary or secondary school and encounter more challenging academics, more complex social dynamics, and greater demands for independence. The following are common signs to look for at each stage of development.

Toddlers

• Appearing to ignore parents or caregivers
• Not seeking comfort when in distress
• Lack of social interaction, such as not playing peekaboo or not looking when you point at something
• Lack of interest in other children
• Not responding to facial expressions, such as not smiling back
• Not using common gestures like pointing or waving
• Avoiding eye contact
• Crying or becoming upset by everyday noises, such as loud music
• Delays or regression in language or other developmental milestones

Children

• Preferring to play alone and showing disinterest in other children
• Difficulty understanding and responding to social cues
• Using facial expressions that are out of context for the situation
• Having unusual fears without a clear rational cause, such as being afraid of people who wear glasses
• Strong attachment to an unusual object, such as a piece of string
• Avoiding eye contact
• Insisting on specific routines and becoming upset when they change
• Intense, narrow interests that consume a great deal of their attention
• Oversensitivity or undersensitivity to sounds, textures, or smells
• Enjoyment of repetitive noises or repetitive speech
• Repetitive movements such as rocking, hand-flapping, tapping, or pacing

Adolescents

• Limited social activities and friendships
• Challenges initiating or sustaining conversations
• Difficulty understanding and responding to social cues
• Difficulty understanding and expressing emotions
• Literal interpretation of language and difficulty with figurative speech or sarcasm
• Unusual or rigid thinking patterns
• Avoiding eye contact
• Insisting on specific routines and rituals, and becoming upset when they are disrupted
• Intense, narrow interests that consume a great deal of their attention
• Oversensitivity or undersensitivity to sounds, textures, or smells
• Enjoyment of repetitive noises or repetitive speech
• Repetitive movements such as rocking, hand-flapping, tapping, or pacing

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal autism screening for all children. Even if your child does not check every box, if something feels different or your instincts are telling you to seek answers, an evaluation is a meaningful and proactive next step.

What to Expect During a Child Autism Assessment

We take a careful, comprehensive approach when assessing for ASD. Our evaluations are multi-method by design, drawing on three core components: parent interviews, objective testing, and standardized rating scales. Once all of the information is gathered, our clinicians integrate the findings into a single, thorough report. Our clinicians are experienced in working with young children and take care to make the process feel comfortable and approachable for both children and their families.

Review of Records: When relevant, we review prior evaluations, school records, medical history, and any previous assessments to ensure our findings reflect the full context of your child’s development.

Clinical Interview: We begin with a detailed conversation with you as the parent or caregiver. We want to understand your child’s developmental history, family background, current concerns, and daily functioning. Your observations are an essential part of the picture, and we take the time to listen carefully.

Standardized Testing and Direct Observation: Our clinicians use gold-standard, research-validated tools to assess your child directly, including:

• ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition): Widely regarded as the gold standard in autism assessment, the ADOS-2 involves structured and semi-structured activities that allow our clinicians to directly observe your child’s communication, social interaction, play, and imaginative use of materials.
• WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition): This comprehensive cognitive assessment measures your child’s intellectual functioning across multiple domains, including verbal comprehension, visual-spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. Understanding your child’s cognitive profile is an important part of building a complete picture.
• EarliPoint: For our youngest patients, we use EarliPoint, an FDA-authorized technology that uses eye-tracking to assess how a child naturally responds to social and non-social stimuli. This innovative tool allows for objective, early detection of autism-related differences in children as young as 16 months, well before many traditional assessments can be reliably administered.

Behavioral Rating Scales: We gather input from multiple people in your child’s life, including parents and teachers, using standardized questionnaires that capture how your child functions across different settings.

Child Autism Assessment Results

Once the evaluation is complete, we sit down with you to go over the findings, answer your questions, and walk through our recommendations, regardless of whether the assessment results in a diagnosis of ASD. You will never be handed a report without context or left to interpret complex clinical language on your own.

Your comprehensive written report may include:

• A formal diagnosis or clarification of diagnostic status
• A detailed profile of your child’s strengths and areas of challenge
• Specific recommendations for therapeutic interventions
• Guidance for requesting school-based accommodations or an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Referrals to additional specialists or services as appropriate

Whether the assessment confirms an autism diagnosis or points toward a different explanation for your child’s experiences, you will leave with a clearer understanding of your child and a concrete path forward.

As a full-lifespan, one-stop practice, Old Town Psychology also offers therapy, parent coaching, ADHD testing, learning disorder assessments, and a range of other services, so if your child needs follow-up support after their assessment, we are equipped to provide it all in one place.

What Our Patients Say

"We brought our daughter in for testing and the OTP team was amazing. They were so kind, caring and great with children. My daughter is shy and takes a little time to warm up when first meeting someone new. The Doctor was patient and encouraging and my daughter had a wonderful time. They also provide fast results and meet with you to explain everything in the report. I would definitely recommend them."

"Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met."

"Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, incredible responsiveness, diligence and follow through -- we feel lucky we found such a great therapy practice. We cannot recommend them highly enough!"

“My daughter took WISC-V test there and we are very pleased with our experience. They are professional, patient and wonderful throughout the entire process. My daughter had such a great time that she hardly felt that was a test - she even asked when she could take it again. I would highly recommend them to whoever needs child IQ testing services.”

“I took my children here for TAG testing. Both of my kids actually enjoyed their assessments. I was very pleased with the time and care taken to assess my children, the thoroughness of the report, and the fact that there was a follow-up session to discuss any questions that I had relative to the assessment included. Also-- the tea selection in the waiting room is top tier :)”

“Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met.”

Take the Next Step

If you have questions about your child’s development, you do not have to keep waiting for answers. At Old Town Psychology, we understand that time matters, especially during the early years when intervention has the greatest impact. That is why we maintain immediate availability for new assessment clients. While many practices in the area have waitlists of six months or longer, we are ready to schedule your child’s evaluation now.

Old Town Psychology is a boutique psychology practice located in the heart of Northern Virginia, offering personalized, high-quality assessments for children as young as 16 months.

To schedule a child autism assessment or to ask any questions, contact us today.