Seeking an adult autism diagnosis in Denver can be a significant step towards understanding yourself and accessing appropriate support. At JFK Partners, a distinguished center associated with Developmental Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado, adults can find comprehensive assessment and treatment services tailored to neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This article will guide you through the services offered, helping you understand how to access expert evaluation and support for adult autism in Denver.
Understanding Adult Autism Assessment Services at JFK Partners
JFK Partners provides a range of assessment services designed to clarify diagnoses and recommend effective treatment plans. While their services span across all ages, adults seeking an autism diagnosis in Denver will find their expertise particularly valuable. The primary focus of these assessments is to provide diagnostic clarity, often addressing questions related to ASD.
Interdisciplinary Team Evaluations
For adults seeking a thorough evaluation, JFK Partners offers interdisciplinary team assessments. These evaluations bring together professionals from multiple disciplines to provide a holistic understanding of an individual’s needs. The team may include experts in:
- Psychology: To assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. This can involve intellectual and cognitive assessments, social-emotional evaluations, and functional behavior assessments.
- Occupational Therapy: To evaluate sensory processing and motor skills, which are crucial for daily living and can be impacted in autism.
- Speech/Language Pathology: To assess communication skills, including both expressive and receptive language, as well as social communication which is a core area of focus in autism diagnosis.
These comprehensive evaluations are designed to provide not only a clear diagnosis but also to develop personalized recommendations for treatment and support. Adults often seek these evaluations for an initial autism diagnosis, a second opinion, or to guide their personal and professional lives with a better understanding of their neurodevelopmental profile.
Focused Psychological Evaluations
In some cases, a more focused psychological evaluation might be appropriate. These evaluations are particularly useful for diagnostic clarification and can delve into specific areas of concern. An adult autism diagnosis often benefits from psychological evaluations that include:
- Intellectual and Cognitive Assessment: Understanding cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
- Academic Assessment: While less relevant for all adults, this can be helpful in understanding learning styles and challenges, particularly for younger adults or those in educational settings.
- Social/Emotional Assessment: Crucial for autism diagnosis, this assesses social interaction patterns, emotional regulation, and the presence of autism traits.
- Functional Assessment of Behavior: Examining daily living skills and adaptive behaviors, which are important in understanding the impact of autism on everyday life.
- Evaluation of Adaptive Behavior and Self-Care Functioning: Assessing the ability to manage personal needs and daily tasks independently.
Speech/Language Evaluations for Adults
Communication differences are a key aspect of autism. Speech/language evaluations at JFK Partners are tailored to assess these areas in adults, focusing on:
- Receptive and Expressive Language Functioning: Understanding and using language effectively.
- Social Language: Evaluating pragmatic language skills used in social contexts, which is particularly relevant for autism diagnosis.
- Oral-Motor Functioning: Assessing physical aspects of speech production, which can sometimes co-occur with communication differences.
Treatment Services for Adults with Autism in Denver
Beyond diagnosis, JFK Partners offers a range of therapy services to support adults with autism in Denver. These services are provided by JFK faculty and supervised trainees, ensuring high-quality care. Available therapies include:
- Individual Psychotherapy: Providing a safe space to explore personal challenges, develop coping strategies, and address co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, which are common in adults with autism.
- Family Therapy: While often associated with children, family therapy can be beneficial for adults with autism and their families to improve communication and understanding.
- Group Therapy: Offering a supportive environment to connect with peers, learn social skills, and share experiences.
- Supportive Counseling: Providing guidance and support for navigating daily life and addressing specific challenges.
- Parent Guidance: Although named “parent guidance,” these sessions can be adapted to offer support and education to family members or partners of adults with autism.
- Behavioral Therapies: Utilizing evidence-based techniques to address specific behavioral challenges and promote adaptive skills.
- Speech/Language Therapy: To improve communication skills and address social communication challenges.
- Occupational Therapy: To support sensory processing, motor skills, and daily living skills.
It’s important to note that while the original article mentions the “Facing Your Fears (FYF)” program for youth, JFK Partners offers a range of therapeutic approaches that can be adapted and tailored to meet the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Accessing Services at JFK Partners for Adult Autism Diagnosis in Denver
To access diagnostic assessments and therapies at JFK Partners, you should contact Developmental Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado directly.
Call 720-777-6630 to inquire about scheduling an evaluation or therapy services.
When you call, be prepared to discuss your needs and questions regarding adult autism diagnosis in Denver. The staff will guide you through the intake process and provide information on appointment scheduling, insurance, and any necessary documentation.
Requesting Medical Records
If you need to request medical records from JFK Partners, you can reach out to the Children’s Hospital Colorado Health Information Management Department at 720-777-6343. Alternatively, you may be able to access your records through the MyChart patient portal if you are registered.
Seeking an adult autism diagnosis in Denver is a proactive step towards self-understanding and accessing appropriate support. JFK Partners, through its affiliation with Children’s Hospital Colorado, provides comprehensive and expert services to guide adults through this journey. Contact them today to learn more about how they can assist you.
