Comprehensive Assessment in Salt Lake City, Utah
Every effective treatment plan starts with a thorough understanding of your child. Our comprehensive assessments provide the detailed insights needed to create truly individualized therapy that targets the right skills at the right time.
Schedule AssessmentWhy Assessment is Critical
Imagine building a house without blueprints. You might get something that looks like a house, but the foundation could be weak, the rooms might not fit together, and the whole structure could be unstable. The same is true for autism treatment.
A comprehensive assessment is the blueprint for your child's therapy. It tells us exactly where your child is today across all developmental areas, identifying both strengths to build upon and skill gaps to address. Without this foundation, we would be guessing at what to teach and how to teach it.
Our assessments are conducted by Board Certified Behavior Analysts using validated, evidence-based tools. The result is an objective, detailed picture of your child's abilities that guides every aspect of treatment planning.
170+
Milestones assessed across developmental domains
Assessment Types We Offer
We use multiple standardized assessments to build a complete picture of your child's strengths and needs.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
A systematic process to understand why challenging behaviors occur. We identify the triggers, functions, and maintaining variables of concerning behaviors to develop effective intervention strategies.
What You Receive: Detailed behavior intervention plan with proactive and reactive strategies.
VB-MAPP Assessment
The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program evaluates language, learning, and social skills across 170 milestones. This assessment guides language intervention and curriculum placement.
What You Receive: Comprehensive language and learning profile with targeted skill objectives.
ABLLS-R Assessment
The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised provides a detailed criterion-referenced skills tracking system covering 544 skills across 25 areas.
What You Receive: Skill-by-skill analysis with prioritized teaching objectives.
Adaptive Behavior Assessment
Evaluates your child's functioning in daily living skills, communication, socialization, and motor skills compared to same-age peers.
What You Receive: Clear picture of independence levels and priority areas for development.
Areas We Evaluate
Communication
- Requesting skills
- Labeling and naming
- Conversational abilities
- Following instructions
Social Skills
- Eye contact and joint attention
- Play with peers
- Emotional recognition
- Turn-taking and sharing
Daily Living
- Self-care routines
- Toileting skills
- Eating and feeding
- Dressing abilities
Behavior
- Function of challenging behaviors
- Replacement behaviors needed
- Triggers and patterns
- Environmental factors
Academic Readiness
- Pre-academic skills
- Attending and focus
- Following classroom routines
- Fine motor abilities
Motor Skills
- Gross motor development
- Fine motor coordination
- Imitation abilities
- Physical play skills
The Assessment Process
Here is what happens from start to finish during a comprehensive assessment.
Parent Interview
1-2 hoursWe begin with an in-depth conversation about your child's developmental history, current abilities, challenges, and your goals for treatment. Your insights are invaluable.
Direct Assessment
4-8 hours (across multiple sessions)Our BCBA works directly with your child, observing skills and behaviors, conducting standardized assessments, and gathering objective data across multiple domains.
Record Review
Included in assessmentWe review all relevant documentation including previous evaluations, IEPs, medical records, and school reports to ensure a comprehensive understanding.
Analysis and Report Writing
1-2 weeksYour BCBA analyzes all gathered information to create a detailed written report with findings, recommendations, and proposed treatment goals.
Feedback Meeting
1-2 hoursWe meet with you to review the assessment results, explain our recommendations, answer your questions, and discuss next steps for treatment.
What You Will Receive
At the conclusion of the assessment process, you will receive a comprehensive written report that becomes a valuable resource for everyone involved in your child's care.
- Detailed summary of assessment findings across all domains
- Comparison to developmental milestones and peers
- Identification of strengths and priority skill deficits
- Recommended treatment goals with measurable objectives
- Suggested treatment intensity and service recommendations
- Strategies for the home environment
Sharing Your Report
Your assessment report belongs to your family. We encourage you to share it with:
- Your child's pediatrician and other medical providers
- School personnel and IEP teams
- Other therapists (speech, OT, etc.)
- Insurance companies for authorization
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need a diagnosis before an assessment?
No. Our assessments focus on identifying skills and behaviors rather than providing a medical diagnosis. However, if you are seeking services through insurance, a diagnosis from a physician or psychologist is typically required for coverage.
How should I prepare my child for the assessment?
Just bring your child as they normally are. We want to see authentic behavior and abilities, not a best-case scenario. Make sure they are well-rested and fed, but otherwise, no special preparation is needed.
Will the assessment be stressful for my child?
Our BCBAs are experts at making assessments feel like play. We follow your child's lead, use their interests, and take breaks as needed. Most children enjoy the one-on-one attention.
How long until I receive the report?
Typically, you will receive the written report within 1-2 weeks of completing the direct assessment. We then schedule a feedback meeting to review the results together.
Is the assessment covered by insurance?
Yes, comprehensive behavioral assessments are typically covered by insurance plans that cover ABA therapy. Our benefits team will verify your coverage before we begin.
Start With the Right Foundation
A comprehensive assessment is the first step toward effective treatment. Contact us today to schedule your child's evaluation.