Compassionate, Evidence-Based, and In-Network Developmental Evaluations
Understanding your child’s development is the first step toward ensuring they receive the support they need. ANNA offers comprehensive developmental evaluations for children up to age 5 in the MetroWest region, helping families navigate the journey toward early identification and personalized care. Our evaluations can help identify autism, ADHD (in children 4 years and older), and developmental delays.
With a streamlined intake process and minimal wait time for the evaluation, we can see you quickly and are here to support you every step of the way!
Evaluations take place in one of our welcoming, child-friendly centers located in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. We accept MassHealth – including WellSense, Fallon, and Tufts plans – as well as most commercial insurance plans.
Why Early Identification Matters
Each child develops in their own unique way, and that’s ok! A timely developmental evaluation can help you learn more about your child’s strengths and areas of need, and can give you the tools to advocate for them.
Increase Understanding
Gaining a deeper understanding of a child’s developmental delays or differences empowers parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about their child’s services and care.
The Importance of a Diagnosis
If the developmental evaluation results in a diagnosis, this often allows families to access additional services and supports for their child and themselves.
Our Diagnostic Team
At ANNA, our diagnostic services are led by PhD-level licensed psychologists with extensive experience in neuropsychological evaluations for young children. With over a decade of expertise, our specialists provide comprehensive, gold-standard assessments that help families gain a deeper understanding of their child’s unique strengths and needs.
Our Evaluation Process
We understand that seeking a developmental evaluation for your child can be overwhelming, and we believe that you are the true expert on your child. Our process is designed to ensure that you feel heard and supported throughout the experience.
Schedule an Appointment
Contact us for a preliminary discussion about the evaluation process. We look forward to learning more about your child, and answering any questions you may have.
Insurance and Scheduling
We will request some documents – typically a copy of your child’s insurance card and most recent physical – and confirm your insurance benefits. A member of our evaluation team will then contact you to ask some additional questions and schedule your in-person evaluation.
Evaluation
During your visit, you will meet with a PhD-level licensed psychologist who has extensive experience in neuropsychological evaluations for young children. They will engage with both you and your child in a comforting and friendly environment, utilizing play-based activities. This appointment typically lasts about 2 hours.
Feedback and Next Steps
Our clinicians will review the results of the evaluation and share a comprehensive report, providing any diagnoses and offering recommendations. A member of our family support team will also meet with you to help process the results of the evaluation, offer support around next steps, and connect you with any resources you may be looking for.
Free At-Home Autism Screening: M-CHAT-R
If you’re unsure whether your child may benefit from an evaluation, ANNA offers a free online screening tool, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R).
Who is it for?
Toddlers aged 16-30 months
What does it involve?
20 simple yes/no questions about your child’s behavior
How does it help?
Identifies early risk signs and guides families toward further evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
We use a combination of standardized tools, including ADOS-2, Vineland-3, Mullen Scales of Early Learning, and Developmental Profile-4 (DP-4), to gain a comprehensive understanding of communication styles, social interactions, and behavior. Additional assessments may be included based on your child’s unique profile.
If you have noticed that your child shows differences in communication, social interactions, sensory processing, or responses to changes in routine, an evaluation may provide valuable insights. These differences can become noticeable as early as 12 months, and an evaluation can help identify whether or not they are indicative of a diagnosis such as autism. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to consult with our team to explore whether an evaluation could be beneficial.
Our process includes an initial consultation, direct observation, interactive assessments, and caregiver discussions. We approach every evaluation with a strengths-based perspective, focusing on understanding and affirming each child’s individual profile.
Families typically receive a detailed report within 2-4 weeks after the in-person evaluation.
Yes, ANNA is in-network with most commercial and MassHealth insurance plans. We assist families in verifying benefits and navigating the insurance process.
Currently, ANNA provides evaluation services for families in the Boston MetroWest area. However, we are expanding to new locations soon. If you’re outside of this region but interested in our services, feel free to reach out – we’d love to keep you updated on future availability in your area!
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.
