04/24/2026
There are many things to look out for when you are seeking an evaluation for yourself or your loved one. This list is not comprehensive, but it's a good place to start.
1. If a company is only using 1 measure for an eval, this is not a thorough eval and will almost always lead to you being referred elsewhere for more comprehensive testing. (I'm looking at you large ABA companies who advertise they use the ADOS-2 and that's all they use...)
2. Companies who advertise they do evals but do not use a licensed mental health professional are problematic for many reasons. It is important to understand why you or your loved one needs an eval. Many insurances require specific license types to sign off on reports. If you don't use a specific license type for your report, you may have to repeat the process elsewhere which can delay services/treatment.
3. Companies who test for one thing are not doing clients any favors. Evals should be comprehensive and look at the whole person. There are so many overlapping traits/symptoms. It's important to understand what's really going on so you can receive the support you need.
4. The company has something to gain by providing a specific diagnosis. For example, large ABA clinic that gives your child a diagnosis of autism then turns around and suggests 30+ hours of ABA per week.
5. While many things can be diagnosed through thorough clinical interviews, some things need standardized testing to help tease out exactly what is going on. If your clinician is using measures, they should be standardized.
6. Companies using people to test/assess who aren't trained to do so. People should practice within their areas of expertise. Ask your clinician about their training in testing. We have also seen a rise in virtual testing for children, especially young children. Certain testing for children is best completed in person.
