Virtual Autism Evaluation: Reducing Autism Evaluation Wait Times with Dr. Cheryl Tierney
- Meliora’s virtual autism evaluations use proven techniques—like standardized tools, multidisciplinary approaches, and parent involvement—to deliver accurate diagnoses for children with autism and/or ADHD. These comprehensive assessments are tailored to each child’s needs and conducted from the comfort of home. These evaluations help reduce wait times.
- Not all virtual autism evaluations are equal; selecting a provider with expertise, standardized tools, and a thoughtful approach ensures accurate results. Virtual evaluations, like those offered by Meliora, effectively support families by reducing wait times and providing high-quality care.
- Parents can help prepare for virtual evaluations by gathering familiar toys, ensuring a quiet environment, and following preparation instructions from professionals. Thoughtful preparation enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the process.
- Mary Barbera’s resources, including her online courses and free materials, provide parents with tools to support early intervention and developmental progress at home even if parents are on wait lists. Access free videos and learn more
Free Workshop
Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums
in Young Children with
Autism &/or Speech Delays
As a parent of a child with autism and a professional in the field, I know firsthand how critical early diagnosis and intervention are for children showing developmental delays. But, wait times for an autism evaluation are currently extremely long! Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Cheryl Tierney, a developmental pediatrician with decades of experience. Dr. Tierney shared insights about her company, Meliora, which offers virtual autism and ADHD evaluations to address the long-standing challenge of long waitlists for diagnoses. Before the pandemic, I never thought a virtual autism evaluation would be possible so come listen in.
The Growing Need for Virtual Autism Evaluations
A full autism assessment is vital because it provides a comprehensive understanding of a child’s developmental strengths, challenges, and unique needs. Unlike quick evaluations, a thorough assessment uses standardized tools, gathers input from multiple sources (e.g., parents, teachers, and caregivers), and explores co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or speech delays.
This level of detail ensures that the diagnosis is accurate and tailored to the child’s specific profile. A full assessment also lays the foundation for creating an individualized intervention plan, helping families access the right therapies, educational support, and resources to promote the child’s growth and long-term success. Without a complete evaluation, critical nuances may be overlooked, potentially delaying effective treatment and support during crucial developmental windows.
Unfortunately, autism evaluation waitlists can stretch from nine months to two years—especially pre-pandemic—causing families to miss critical early intervention windows. During our discussion, Dr. Tierney explained how her journey into remote evaluations began. While at Penn State during the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with Helios, a UK-based virtual diagnostics company, to bring efficient, high-quality autism evaluations to the United States. Virtual autism evaluations may be more important than ever in reducing waitlists!
Meliora now operates in five states: Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Maryland. The platform provides virtual assessments by licensed professionals like clinical psychologists and speech-language pathologists, cutting wait times to as little as two to six weeks. If you are not in these states or areas, you can still get on a wait list for your local providers and begin using my resources so that you don’t miss a critical window.
Why Virtual Autism Evaluations Work
Some parents might wonder, “Can virtual assessments be as effective as in-person evaluations?” Dr. Tierney highlighted that the effectiveness of an evaluation lies in the expertise of the professionals conducting it, not the medium. Whether in-person or online, the goal is to assess children using standardized tools and gather input from multiple sources, including parents and educators.
Meliora uses tools like the Tele-ASD-PEDS for children under 30 months, an adapted version of the ADOS for older children, and the CARS to ensure thorough evaluations. These assessments are tailored to the child’s age and communication level, offering parents peace of mind.
Choosing the Right Remote Assessment Providers
Choosing a good provider for an autism evaluation is critical to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective recommendations. Look for providers with specialized training and experience in autism diagnostics, such as developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
A multidisciplinary approach often yields the most comprehensive results, as it combines perspectives from multiple experts. It’s essential to verify that the provider uses standardized tools like the ADOS, CARS, or Tele-ASD-PEDS, ensuring a robust and evidence-based assessment process.
Additionally, consider whether the provider gathers input from multiple sources, such as parents, educators, and caregivers, to understand the child’s behavior across different settings. Avoid quick or superficial assessments, as a thorough evaluation is crucial for tailoring interventions and accessing appropriate services.
Preparing for a Virtual Autism Evaluation
Dr. Tierney shared valuable tips for parents preparing for a virtual evaluation:
- Gather necessary materials: Have items like bubbles, crayons, or small toys ready, as they may be used during the assessment.
- Choose the right device: A laptop or tablet provides a better view than a phone.
- Eliminate distractions: Ensure a quiet space without pets or siblings.
- Review instructions in advance: Meliora sends preparation guidelines before each evaluation to help families succeed.
The process is not about making children sit still for long periods. Instead, it’s about observing natural behaviors in a familiar environment
Remote Autism Evaluations Summarized
Navigating the autism evaluation process can feel overwhelming, but advancements in virtual assessments are making it easier and faster for families to access the support they need. Dr. Cheryl Tierney’s insights highlight the importance of choosing qualified providers who use standardized tools and offer comprehensive post-diagnosis support. Whether through in-person or virtual evaluations, the goal remains the same: to provide accurate diagnoses and empower families with the resources and guidance they need to help their children thrive.
With innovative options like Meliora’s virtual autism evaluations, families no longer have to face lengthy waitlists or logistical barriers to care. By preparing thoughtfully for the evaluation process and choosing high-quality providers, parents can take a crucial step toward early intervention and positive outcomes for their children.
Remember, early diagnosis is just the beginning. With the right support and resources, children with autism can achieve remarkable growth and success. To learn more about supporting speech and developmental progress, visit my resources for additional tools and guidance.
Dr. Cheryl Tierney on the Turn Autism Around Podcast
Cheryl is a board-certified developmental pediatrician with over 25 years of experience in the field of developmental and behavioral pediatrics. For the last 2 years she has been the Chief Medical Officer at Meliora Health working on improving access to care for children with autism and ADHD.
Top 5 Questions: Virtual Autism Evaluation
What is the benefit of choosing a virtual autism evaluation over an in-person one?
Virtual evaluations offer the advantage of reduced wait times and the ability to observe children in their natural home environment, which can provide valuable insights. They are especially effective when conducted by experienced professionals using standardized tools. The convenience of telehealth also eliminates travel time and stress for families.
How can parents ensure they choose a good provider for an autism evaluation?
Parents should look for providers with specialized training in autism diagnostics and experience with standardized assessment tools like the ADOS or Tele-ASD-PEDS. A multidisciplinary team that includes speech-language pathologists or clinical psychologists adds credibility and depth to the evaluation. It’s also important to select providers who incorporate parent and educator input and offer post-diagnosis support.
What tools are used for virtual autism assessments?
Tools like the Tele-ASD-PEDS, specifically designed for virtual administration, are used for children under 30 months. For older children, an adapted version of the ADOS and the CARS are commonly utilized to assess social, communication, and behavioral patterns comprehensively.
How can parents prepare for a virtual autism evaluation?
Parents should ensure they have a quiet, distraction-free environment, a reliable internet connection, and a suitable device such as a laptop or tablet. Gathering materials like bubbles, crayons, or small toys as instructed by the evaluation team can also help facilitate the process. It’s important to read any preparation guidelines provided and have a plan for managing siblings or pets during the session.
What support is available after an autism diagnosis?
Resources
- Workshops – Learn more about our online courses and resources with a free workshop
- Free autism digital assessment
- 5 Days to More Talking
- Diagnosing Autism With Dr. Cheryl Tierney
- New CDC Milestones with Developmental Pediatrician
- ADOS Testing- What is it and how to prepare?
- A Summary of Autism Tests, Evaluations and Screeners
- Meliora Health Virtual Autism Evaluations
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Free Workshop
Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums
in Young Children with
Autism &/or Speech Delays
