Comprehensive Autism and Neuropsychological Evaluations in Phoenix
Answers About Your Child’s Development, Not Just an Autism Screening
When you have concerns about your child’s communication, behavior, learning, social development, or emotional functioning, you deserve more than a checklist or brief autism screening.
Phoenix Autism Center provides comprehensive pediatric neuropsychological evaluations for children ages 2 through 5. Our evaluations assess your child’s overall development and functioning to determine whether Autism Spectrum Disorder or another developmental, behavioral, or psychological condition may explain the concerns you are seeing.
Each evaluation is completed by Dr. Marisa Sanchez, a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, and includes an in-depth parent interview, direct evaluation of your child, standardized assessment measures, diagnostic conclusions, individualized recommendations, and a comprehensive written report.
Request a Neuropsychological Evaluation
Call (480) 485-4269 or complete the form below to speak with our diagnostic team.
Request a Neuropsychological Evaluation Call (480) 485-4269
A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Whole Child
An autism screening generally looks for signs that a child may need further evaluation. Phoenix Autism Center provides the next step: a full neuropsychological diagnostic evaluation.
Rather than evaluating one symptom or relying on a single assessment, our provider considers your child’s developmental history, behavior, communication, social interaction, learning, emotional functioning, and daily living skills.
The evaluation is designed to answer important questions such as:
- Does my child meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- Are speech or language delays contributing to the concerns?
- Does my child have broader developmental delays?
- Are attention, behavior, or emotional factors affecting development?
- What are my child’s strengths?
- In which areas does my child need additional support?
- What therapies, services, or educational supports should we pursue?
The purpose is not simply to assign a diagnosis. It is to give your family a clearer understanding of your child and a practical path forward.
Meet Your Neuropsychologist: Dr. Marisa Sanchez
Every evaluation at Phoenix Autism Center is led by Dr. Marisa Sanchez, a licensed clinical neuropsychologist experienced in assessing autism and developmental concerns in young children. Dr. Sanchez completes the parent interview, the in-person evaluation, the clinical interpretation of results, and your family’s written report, so you hear from the same expert from the first conversation to the final recommendations.
Your child’s evaluation is never handed off to a technician or completed with a single screening tool. It is a full neuropsychological evaluation by a neuropsychologist.
Who We Evaluate
Phoenix Autism Center provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children ages 2 through 5.
Parents often contact us after noticing concerns involving:
- Delayed speech or language
- Limited eye contact, gestures, or pointing
- Difficulty communicating wants and needs
- Limited interest in social interaction
- Difficulty playing with other children
- Repetitive movements, behaviors, or play
- Strong reactions to sounds, textures, foods, or environments
- Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine
- Limited pretend or imaginative play
- Frequent behavioral or emotional challenges
- Loss of previously developed skills
- Concerns raised by a pediatrician, therapist, preschool, or caregiver
These characteristics can have many possible explanations. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation helps determine what may be contributing to your child’s needs.
What Does the Neuropsychological Evaluation Assess?
The areas evaluated depend on your child’s age, developmental level, communication abilities, and presenting concerns.
Your child’s evaluation may assess:
- Cognitive and developmental functioning
- Communication and language development
- Social interaction and social communication
- Attention and self-regulation
- Behavioral and emotional functioning
- Play and learning skills
- Adaptive and daily living skills
- Sensory responses
- Motor development
- Autism-related characteristics
- Developmental strengths and areas of need
The provider selects appropriate standardized assessment measures for each child. Not every child receives the same combination of tests.
What Is Included
A comprehensive evaluation may include:
- Review of developmental, medical, educational, and treatment records
- Detailed parent or caregiver interview
- Standardized psychological and developmental testing
- Direct observation of your child
- Autism-specific assessment measures
- Assessment of cognitive and adaptive functioning
- Consideration of autism and other possible diagnoses
- Clinical interpretation of all findings
- Diagnostic conclusions
- Individualized treatment and support recommendations
- A comprehensive written neuropsychological report
- Feedback regarding the results and recommended next steps
This is not a brief developmental screening or an assessment limited to determining whether autism is present.
Request a Neuropsychological Evaluation Call (480) 485-4269
What to Expect
1. Initial Contact
Call Phoenix Autism Center or submit an evaluation request online. Our team will collect basic information about your child, your developmental concerns, and your insurance coverage.
2. Intake Forms and Records
You will receive forms covering your child’s developmental, medical, behavioral, and family history. You may also be asked to provide records from pediatricians, therapists, daycare providers, preschools, or other professionals.
Completing these forms promptly helps the provider prepare for the evaluation.
3. Virtual Parent Interview
The first part of the evaluation is generally a virtual meeting between the parent or caregiver and Dr. Sanchez.
During this appointment, the provider will discuss your child’s:
- Developmental milestones
- Medical and family history
- Communication abilities
- Behavior and emotional functioning
- Social development
- Daily routines
- Strengths and areas of concern
4. In Person Neuropsychological Evaluation
You and your child will attend the in-person portion of the evaluation at our North Arcadia location.
The appointment may include play-based interaction, structured activities, observation, and standardized testing. The provider will adjust the process to your child’s developmental level and communication abilities.
5. Diagnostic Results and Recommendations
After reviewing the interview, records, observations, and assessment results, Dr. Sanchez will determine whether your child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder or another applicable diagnosis.
Your family will receive a comprehensive report explaining the results, diagnostic conclusions, and individualized recommendations.
Why a Comprehensive Evaluation Matters
Developmental concerns do not always have one simple explanation. Communication delays, behavioral challenges, sensory differences, social difficulties, attention concerns, and developmental delays can overlap.
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation helps distinguish among these concerns and identifies your child’s unique pattern of strengths and needs.
The results may help your family:
- Understand your child’s development more clearly
- Obtain an accurate diagnosis
- Identify appropriate therapies and interventions
- Seek insurance authorization for medically necessary treatment
- Request preschool or school-based supports
- Coordinate care with medical and therapy providers
- Establish a baseline for measuring future development
- Make informed decisions about your child’s care
More Than a Diagnosis
Phoenix Autism Center was founded by parents of a child with autism. We understand that seeking an evaluation can bring uncertainty, relief, worry, and hope, sometimes all at once.
Our goal is to give families clear answers without reducing a child to a diagnosis. Every evaluation considers the child’s abilities, personality, strengths, challenges, and individual support needs.
When services are recommended, Phoenix Autism Center can help families explore:
- Applied Behavior Analysis therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Feeding therapy
- Family guidance and caregiver support
Families are not required to receive treatment through Phoenix Autism Center after completing an evaluation. You remain free to choose the providers and services that are right for your child.
Evaluation Location
The in-person portion of the evaluation is completed at:
Phoenix Autism Center, North Arcadia
3303 N. 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
The parent or caregiver interview may be conducted virtually before the in-person appointment.
Insurance and Payment
Coverage for neuropsychological and autism diagnostic evaluations varies by insurance plan.
Our team will collect your insurance information, review applicable requirements, and help you understand the verification and authorization process. Coverage cannot be guaranteed until benefits and authorization requirements have been reviewed. Learn more about insurance.
Call (480) 485-4269 to discuss scheduling and insurance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an autism screening?
No. Phoenix Autism Center provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. The evaluation may determine whether your child meets the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder while also considering other developmental, behavioral, and psychological explanations.
What ages do you evaluate?
Our early-intervention diagnostic program evaluates children ages 2 through 5.
Who completes the evaluation?
Evaluations are completed by Dr. Marisa Sanchez, a licensed clinical neuropsychologist experienced in assessing autism and developmental concerns in young children.
Does my child need to speak?
No. Spoken language is not required. The provider selects assessment methods that are appropriate for your child’s developmental and communication level.
Will the evaluation provide an official diagnosis?
When supported by the evaluation findings, the neuropsychologist can provide an applicable clinical diagnosis and document it in the written report.
What if my child does not have autism?
The evaluation can still provide valuable information about your child’s development, functioning, strengths, and support needs. The provider will explain the findings and offer recommendations based on the concerns identified.
Will we receive a written report?
Yes. Families receive a comprehensive neuropsychological report documenting the evaluation findings, diagnostic conclusions, and individualized recommendations.
Can the report be shared with other providers?
Yes. You may share the report with your child’s pediatrician, therapists, school, insurance provider, or other members of the care team.
Do we have to begin therapy with Phoenix Autism Center?
No. Your family is free to choose any qualified provider. If you would like to explore services through Phoenix Autism Center, our team can help you understand the options available.
Get Clear Answers About Your Child’s Development
If you are concerned about your child’s communication, behavior, learning, social interaction, or overall development, a comprehensive evaluation can help you understand what is happening and what to do next.
Phoenix Autism Center provides comprehensive autism and neuropsychological evaluations for children ages 2 through 5.
Call (480) 485-4269
Request a Neuropsychological Evaluation
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