What is to be expected during the virtual autism evaluation?

A comprehensive virtual autism evaluation typically takes 2-3 hours and consists of two main portions. The first portion is a 30-minute clinical observation with the child and parent, during which the clinician observes the child during play activities and may direct parents to facilitate specific play interactions. This is followed by a longer comprehensive assessment lasting between 90-150 minutes with parents only, where the clinician conducts a thorough review of background history, medical history, and developmental history, along with completing the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2) questionnaire. It is essential to allocate sufficient time for completing the entire evaluation process, as this ensures a thorough assessment and increases the accuracy of the evaluation results. Completing both portions without rushing allows the clinician to gather comprehensive information and make informed clinical judgments.

What does my child need for the virtual autism evaluation?

During the virtual evaluation, it is recommended that your child have access to an arrangement of toys that include both preferred and non-preferred activities, along with a book. The toy selection can include blocks, trains, pretend kitchen items or playsets, puzzles, balls, action figures, dinosaurs, sensory toys, board games, stackable rings, dolls, drop-in toys, and toy telephones. Although tablets and phones may be preferred items for many children, they should not be used during the clinical observation portion of the evaluation. If the clinician determines that tablet or phone observation would provide necessary clinical information, they will specifically request this during the session. To ensure the most accurate observational data, it is recommended that children not use tablets or phones in the minutes leading up to the evaluation.

What is the turnaround time from the day of the virtual evaluation to the report being completed?

The turn around time for evaluations range on average 2-4 weeks and oftentimes sooner. We do our best to get evaluations to you as soon as possible. We know a diagnosis provides access to services your child desperately needs.

How much are parent and school training consultations?

Costs vary based on the service rendered.  Consultation generally ranges 100-200 per hour. Consultative services are self-pay.

How much is a comprehensive diagnostic autism assessment?

The out-of-pocket cost for a diagnostic autism evaluation is $1200. However, please don't let cost deter you from contacting us. We are committed to helping you as much as we can.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Yes, we have cancellation fees, primarily due to the high demand for autism evaluation services and extensive waitlists at major hospitals. Our goal is to ensure that all appointments are filled efficiently to minimize wait times for parents and their children seeking these essential services.

To cancel an appointment without incurring any fees, we require a minimum of 48 hours' notice. This allows adequate time for our providers to fill your spot with another client. Cancellation at 24 hours will incur a $50 fee. Same-day cancellations, no-shows, and late fees will result in a $100 fee. A late fee is defined as arriving 15 minutes or more late to your appointment. Please note that these fees are not covered by insurance and are the client's direct responsibility.

We understand that emergencies can occur, and such situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions about this policy or need to discuss an emergency situation, please contact our office.

Will my child’s school accept the report from Set Apart Educational Services?

Set Apart’s approach is strategically designed to work seamlessly with school systems. Our reports are generally well-received by schools, though it's important to note that while schools are required to consider these external evaluations, they maintain the discretion to accept or decline them.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept the following insurances at this time: Medicaid, Ambetter Buckeye Health, Aetna, Cigna (EverNorth), and United Health Care. If your insurance allows out-of-network providers, we can provide superbills for reimbursement.

Is an autism diagnosis through Set Apart Educational Services considered a medical diagnosis?

Yes - evaluations and diagnoses through our services are considered medical diagnoses, as a licensed independent school psychologist through the Ohio Board of Psychology is authorized to independently evaluate and diagnose autism spectrum disorder and other educationally related disorders.

Do you provide in-person evaluations?

No, we are only a telehealth practice.