How can parents support social and language development at home?

Parents can support communication by modeling simple language, using gestures or visuals, creating predictable routines, and encouraging play-based interactions. Access Autism Testing provides parent coaching to integrate these strategies into daily life.

What are common signs of social or communication challenges in autism?

Some signs include limited eye contact, repetitive speech, challenges with peer interaction, or difficulty understanding tone and facial expressions. A professional evaluation can clarify your child’s unique communication profile.

Can autism assessments be done virtually?

Yes. Access Autism Testing provides comprehensive virtual autism evaluations for children, teens, and adults across Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. The telehealth process is convenient, personalized, and strength-focused.

What does an autism evaluation report include?

An autism evaluation report typically includes background information, behavioral observations, standardized test results, a diagnostic summary, strengths and support needs, and detailed recommendations for next steps in therapy, school supports, and home strategies.

How do I understand the scores in my child’s autism report?

Scores are usually shown as standard scores or percentiles. A standard score of 100 is average, with 85–115 typically considered the normal range. Percentiles show how your child compares to peers, and qualitative terms like 'strength' or 'area for support' summarize how results apply to real-life functioning.

What does the diagnostic section mean in an autism evaluation?

The diagnostic section explains whether your child meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under DSM-5-TR. It often describes levels of support needs, communication style, social interaction patterns, and behavioral or sensory features observed during testing.

How can I use the recommendations section effectively?

Use the recommendations to guide therapy, educational supports, and home strategies. Share the report with your child’s care team, school, and therapists to ensure coordinated support. These suggestions form the roadmap for your child’s next steps.

What should I do after receiving my child’s autism evaluation report?

Schedule a feedback session to review results with your psychologist, share the report with your pediatrician and school, and request IEP or 504 evaluations if needed. Revisit the report as your child grows to update goals and supports.

How does Access Autism Testing help families understand their results?

Access Autism Testing provides strength-based feedback sessions to help families interpret their child’s results in plain language, prioritize interventions, and create actionable plans for home and school success.

Interpreting Your Child’s Autism Evaluation Report

Turning Assessment Results Into Understanding and Next Steps

Receiving your child’s autism evaluation report can bring a mix of emotions—relief, clarity, and sometimes confusion about what all the numbers and terms really mean. Understanding your child’s results is the key to making confident decisions about next steps, services, and supports.

At Access Autism Testing & Consultation (AATC), we specialize in providing clear, strength-based autism assessments for toddlers, children, and teens across Texas, Florida, and Louisiana—and we make sure families fully understand their results before moving forward.

What an Autism Evaluation Report Includes

An autism evaluation report integrates information from several sources to provide a complete picture of your child’s development.
Most reports include:

Background Information: Developmental history, parent input, and teacher feedback
Behavioral Observations: How your child interacted and communicated during testing
Standardized Test Results: Scores from tools such as the ADOS-2, Vineland-3, or cognitive/academic tests
Diagnostic Summary: A clinical interpretation of whether results meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Strengths and Support Needs: A profile of areas like social skills, communication, and sensory processing
Recommendations: Next steps for therapy, school supports, and family resources

Each section helps explain how your child learns, relates, and experiences the world.

Making Sense of the Scores

Autism evaluation reports often include standard scores, percentiles, or qualitative descriptions like “average,” “below average,” or “significant difference.”

Here’s how to interpret them:

Standard Scores (SS): Most tests use 100 as the average. Scores between 85–115 are typically within the average range.
Percentiles: Show how your child compares to others the same age (e.g., 25th percentile = equal to or better than 25% of peers).
Qualitative Descriptions: Terms like strength, area for support, or difference summarize how results translate into real-life functioning.

Remember: numbers alone don’t define your child—they’re one part of a much larger picture.

Understanding the Diagnostic Section

If your report indicates Autism Spectrum Disorder, you’ll typically see details about:

Level of Support Needs (1–3) under DSM-5-TR criteria
Communication Profile: Verbal, nonverbal, or limited speech
Social Interaction Patterns: Interest in peers, reciprocity, shared enjoyment
Behavioral and Sensory Features: Repetitive behaviors, rigidity, or sensory sensitivities

A well-written report explains why these characteristics meet criteria for autism and how they appear in daily life.

Using the Recommendations Section Effectively

The recommendations section helps you take action. It may include suggestions for:

Therapies: Speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy (e.g., parent coaching or early intervention)
Educational Supports: IEP or 504 accommodations, sensory breaks, communication tools
Home Strategies: Routines, visual supports, or play-based skill building
Referrals: Pediatrician, developmental specialist, or local community resources

You can use this section to guide your next steps with both your child’s school and your care team.

What to Do After Receiving the Report

Schedule a Feedback Session
If your provider offers one, use this time to ask questions and clarify anything unclear.
Share the Report With Key Team Members
Give a copy to your pediatrician, therapist, and school to coordinate consistent support.
Use It for School Planning
Request an IEP or 504 evaluation if educational accommodations are needed.
Revisit the Report Over Time
As your child grows, revisit the findings—strengths and challenges can change.

How We Help Families Understand Their Results

At Access Autism Testing & Consultation (AATC), we go beyond the diagnosis. Our clinicians explain each section of your report in plain language, helping you:

Identify your child’s strengths and learning style
Understand the meaning behind scores and recommendations
Prioritize interventions that make the most impact
Create an actionable plan for home and school

You’ll leave the process not just with a diagnosis—but with clarity, confidence, and direction. Contact us today!

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