A therapeutic intake for autism assessment is a conversation with a mental health professional to understand behaviors, communication, and daily life skills. It covers:

• Developmental History: Milestones and family history.
• Social and Communication Skills: Eye contact, conversations, and understanding emotions.
• Behaviors and Interests: Repetitive actions, routines, and special interests.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Reactions to sounds, textures, or lights.
• Daily Life Skills: Independence and handling changes.

The professional also observes behaviors during the interview and may gather input from caregivers or teachers. This helps create a clear picture of the individual's needs and whether autism might be a factor.

The KBIT-2 Revised (Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test) is a quick test that measures two main areas of intelligence:

Verbal intelligence:

This is about how well someone understands and uses words. It includes:

• Vocabulary: Knowing the meaning of words.
• Verbal reasoning: Making connections or solving problems using language.

Non-verbal intelligence:

This measures how well someone can solve problems without using words. It includes:

• Patterns and shapes: Figuring out puzzles or spotting the next item in a sequence.
• Visual problem-solving: Using logic to solve problems just by looking at pictures.

Together, these scores give a general idea of how someone processes information, learns, and solves problems in everyday life.

The ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) is a tool used by professionals to help determine if someone has autism. It is a structured play and conversation session designed to observe specific behaviors.

What it measures:

• Social skills: How someone interacts with others.
• Communication: How someone uses and understands language, both verbal and non-verbal.
• Play and imagination: How someone plays with toys or pretends.
• Repetitive behaviors: Things like repeating actions or being very focused on certain topics or objects.

How it's done:

• The professional uses a set of activities and prompts (like playing with toys, talking, or solving simple puzzles) to see how the person responds.
• It is not a test you can "pass" or "fail." Instead, it helps the professional understand the person's behaviors and how they compare to those typically seen in autism.

Why it's useful:

• It provides a structured way to observe behaviors that are important for diagnosing autism.
• It can be used for people of different ages and abilities, from young children to adults.

Think of the ADOS-2 as a guided session where the professional gathers clues about someone's social and communication skills to better understand their needs and whether autism might be a factor.

The Qualified Provider (QP) Interview is a one-on-one session with a licensed clinician who reviews all assessment results, integrates findings, and provides a comprehensive diagnostic determination.

What happens during this appointment:

• Review of results: The QP reviews scores and observations from all prior assessments (intake, KBit, ADOS, and any additional testing).
• Diagnostic clarification: The provider discusses findings, answers questions, and explains whether the results support an autism diagnosis.
• Recommendations: Personalized recommendations for next steps, therapies, school accommodations, or community resources are provided.

This final step ensures that all information is considered together by a qualified professional before any diagnosis is made.