In-Network Autism Diagnosis Assessment

Before your child can begin ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, you must obtain an official autism diagnosis. We offer a comprehensive, in-network autism diagnosis service for children ages 1 – 5. Our goal is to provide timely, evidence-based assessments that allow families to access essential services without unnecessary delays.

Comprehensive In-Network Autism Diagnosis

If you suspect your child is displaying autism symptoms, those of a developmental disability, or a lack of verbal or social interaction skills, we can help. Our in-network diagnosis is crafted to complement, not replace, the comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that children may be waiting for. While a full neuropsychological assessment provides a broad overview of a child’s cognitive, emotional, and psychological development, our service is specifically tailored to identify autism spectrum disorders, covering the necessary insurance requirements for families to access services such as ABA.

At ANNA, we are focusing significant resources on the ASD diagnostic assessment process to eliminate or shorten wait times to access services. All diagnostic assessments are conducted in a welcoming, child-friendly environment at our center located at 490 Boston Post Road, Suite 1-A, Sudbury, MA

Our Streamlined, Evidence-Based Autism Diagnosis Approach

Contact us for a preliminary discussion about your child's evaluation for autism. We are here to support you by understanding your child's unique needs and goals, and will pose some initial questions related to autism screening. Additionally, we'll check your insurance benefits and schedule an appointment to come in for the diagnosis
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During your visit, our clinical team will engage with both you and your child in a comforting and friendly environment, utilizing play-based activities for the assessment. Our team of experienced clinicians will ensure a holistic understanding of your child's strengths and areas for support, utilizing evidence-based models such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scales. This typically lasts for 2 - 3 hours.
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After the autism diagnosis appointments, our specialists will review the results of the session and write up a comprehensive report, providing any diagnoses, sharing a comprehensive report, and offering recommendations for next steps to access care
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We’ve got you covered.

We accept most major insurance providers, including Medicaid. Not insured? We will work with you to help you get the coverage you need.

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ANNA Naturalistic Intervention Services

At ANNA we use an intervention approach called Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) to support the growth and independence of young children with autism. NDBI combines well-researched strategies from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA, designed to teach new skills) with well-researched strategies from developmental psychology (designed to support children in their natural development). This means that NDBI is focused on creating learning opportunities for your child during activities that are natural and fun for them, such as in play, social interactions, and daily routines.

These services are delivered in center at 490 Boston Post Road, Suite 1-A, Sudbury, MA.

ANNA Works on the Following Skills

Communication Skills

We will help your child continue learning how to communicate their needs and interests, and to respond to communication from others.

Daily Living Skills

By teaching your child during daily routines, we will help them develop skills that are important for taking care of themselves such as dressing, toileting, handwashing, toothbrushing and feeding.

Socialization

Our child-led approach helps your child learn how to initiate and engage in comfortable, fun social interactions with others.

Play Skills

Your child will learn new ways to explore and learn from their enviroment through play. We will also help your child develop other important play skills such as sharing and taking turns.

Learning Skills

Our Approach supports your child's attention and their ability to learn new skills from their environment.

Reduction in Dangerous Behaviours

This component provides insight into challenging behaviors, offering a pathway to transform these challenges into learning and growth opportunities.

What to Expect - Intervention Services

Our naturalistic intervention is a personalized approach to support your child’s unique journey toward growth, independence, and joy. Our process is meticulously designed and includes five phases:

Individualized Assessment

Our journey begins with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who takes the time to understand your family's needs. We focus on identifying the behaviors you wish to improve and conduct comprehensive assessments to gauge your child's current skills and abilities. By utilizing evidence-based models like the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP), we achieve a thorough understanding of your child's developmental milestones and areas requiring enhancement.

Joint Goal Setting

Utilizing the insights from the assessment, our BCBAs collaborate closely with your family to set clear, achievable goals. These goals are carefully crafted to promote desired behaviors, foster new skills, and outline attainable objectives.

Personalized Skill Development

After establishing the goals, the BCBA creates a targeted program to teach the skills outlined in your goals. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) then implements this tailor-made therapy directly with your child, engaging them in the learning process and collecting valuable data for ongoing analysis.

Parent Coaching

Integral to our approach is empowering parents through coaching, incorporating strategies from Project ImPACT (Improving Parents As Communication Teachers). This aspect of our program enhances your ability to support your child's development, focusing on improving social communication skills in a naturalistic setting. Through hands-on guidance, we equip you with effective techniques to reinforce your child's learning and progress at home.

Continuous Progress Assessment

Our BCBA and RBT team consistently monitor your child's progress, assessing the development of targeted skills and making necessary adjustments to the therapy plan. This continuous evaluation ensures that our program effectively meets your child's needs, facilitating meaningful growth and learning.

Our Approach to Parent Coaching

At ANNA, we use an evidence-based program called Project ImPACT (Improving Parents As Communication Teachers) to teach you strategies to support your child at home. This program, which includes hands-on practice with feedback from our clinical experts, offers parents practical strategies to build their child’s communication skills during everyday activities.