Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

We provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults utilizing neuropsychological tests

What is Autism Testing?

Are you or someone who works with your child concerned that your child may be exhibiting signs of autism? Does your child struggle in social situations, struggle to make eye contact, or struggle to understand what others may be thinking or feeling? Does your child have a history of difficulties with certain tastes, smells, or sounds? Does your child struggle with repetitive movements or tends to repeat certain phrases? Does your child have a history of struggling with pretend play, or have intense interests in certain subjects or activities? If you have any of these concerns, an autism evaluation to understand your child’s strengths and differences can be helpful to make sure your child receives.

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interactions, communication, and the presences of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. Individuals with ASD are placed on a neurodevelopmental spectrum and can have a wide range of symptoms and severity, and no two individuals are the same.

At MindWorks, we understand that every individual is unique, and may have a wide range of symptoms. Some, especially females who have grown up with autism without ever being diagnosed and have learned to “mask” their symptoms which causes significant difficulties in other areas of their lives. We believe in truly understanding the individual, their strengths and weaknesses, and work with them in a neurodiversity affirming manner.

Key Characteristics of Autism:

• Social Communication and Interaction Difficulties  

  •  Including challenges in social reciprocity (difficulty in back-and-forth conversations).

  • Nonverbal communication issues (difficulties understanding and using gestures, facial expressions and eye contact)

  • Difficulties maintaining and developing relationships (challenges in making friends, adjusting to social contexts, and playing imaginarily with younger kids).

•  Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors

  •  Stereotyped or Repetitive Movements (Hand flapping, rocking, or other motor movements).

  • Insistence on Sameness (Inflexibility to changes in routine, schedule or more).

  • High Focused Interests (Interest in specific topic, often with deep knowledge or focus on the topic).

  • Sensory Sensitives (Unusual reactions to sensory inputs such as textures, sound, light or smell)

How Long Does Testing Take?

While testing may only take a few hours with your child, we will be communicating with you, your child, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, and other service providers for your child (with your permission).  We will take time to prepare and analyze a customized evaluation for your child and their needs. Based on test results, interview insights and findings, you will receive a comprehensive report summarizing and explaining our findings, and providing individualized recommendations for strategic school accommodations and home-support strategies that will strengthen your child’s development. 

On average the full evaluation will take 1-2 weeks of testing (5-6 hours of person-to-person testing broken down between 1-3 sessions) and a final feedback where the results will be discussed with you 2-3 weeks after the assessment is completed.

What Is Included In Each Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After our initial consultation, a comprehensive intake will be conducted with the individual (and parent, if needed) to fully understand individual’s needs. These initial series of questionnaires will help create the testing battery that will later be used for the series of one-on-one tests. Contact with doctors, teachers, schools, therapists and psychiatrists (with your permission) are also utilized to help understand the “full picture” of the patient.

Full Review: A full review of psychological, educational and past testing records is conducted.

Observations: An observation of the child at school may be conducted from time to time.

One-on-One Tests: The individual will meet one-on-one with a psychologist in person. During the "testing" appointments, we use the testing battery created in intake to administer a variety of questions, puzzles, word games, pictures and drawings, and stories, as well as some school-like tasks, such as reading and math, to investigate how the student thinks and feels in different settings. Many of our sessions may range from one to four hours, with several short breaks, depending on the individual's energy level. Tests will examine one’s:

• General cognitive and mental strengths and weaknesses including a full IQ test.

• Academic skills in reading, writing, math, oral language and fine motor skills.

• ADHD concerns and full executive functioning skills.

• Memory skills.

• Emotional and behavioral concerns

• Autism/neurodevelopmental skills that look at developmental history, behavioral observations, parent and teacher feedback forms, and more.

Evaluation and Interpretation: After the testing and evaluation is complete, the Dr. Salanga will score, interpret, and integrate the information into a comprehensive written report. The report will include background information, test scores, psychologist interpretations, tailored recommendations to better help the individual, and referrals to any needed specialists.

Report and Feedback Discussion: After testing, evaluation, and reports are complete, the Dr. Salanga will meet one-on-one with the individual and/or parent to discuss the report and answer any questions. This feedback may also be given to other professions such as the teacher if desired, and many times Dr. Salanga will meet briefly with the child to go over their strengths and weaknesses as well. A copy of the full report will be given after the feedback appointment is complete.