The first step in getting help is getting an accurate diagnosis.

The Main Line Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides comprehensive bio-psychosocial evaluations for autism spectrum disorders by Jutta Vogt, M.D., who is a board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with extensive experience in diagnosis, delivery, and supervision of treatment for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.

The bio-psychosocial evaluation also focuses on other psychiatric health issues that could be causative in the impairment of social interactions or could be co-existent in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Vogt will perform an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, otherwise known as ADOSADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and is a structured play/interview session that assesses social, communication and play skills. It can be performed on all individuals with a developmental age of 18 months or older. It is regarded as the "gold standard" in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders., to aid her in diagnosis on all evaluations. Dr Vogt will also conduct an in-depth psychiatric evaluation, review any pertinent medical, psychiatric, or psychoeducational evaluations, and apply the DSM-IV-TRDSM IV-TR stands for "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" and is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM is a manual that contains a listing of psychiatric disorders and their diagnostic criteria. diagnostic criteria as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association.

Components of diagnostic child evaluations:

- Parent interview focusing on developmental, social, emotional and behavioral issues

- Child observation

- Structured child interview/play session (ADOSADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and is a structured play/interview session that assesses social, communication and play skills. It can be performed on all individuals with a developmental age of 18 months or older. It is regarded as the "gold standard" in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.)

- Review of prior medical/psychiatric or psychoeducational evaluations

- Feedback session with parent and sharing of diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations

- Comprehensive written report including the results of the ADOS 7 to 10 days following the evaluation

Components of diagnostic adult evaluations:

- Interview focusing on developmental, social, emotional, work, and relationship functioning

- Interview of partner or spouse (if desired)

- Review of prior medical/psychiatric or psychoeduacational evaluations

- Structured interview session (ADOSADOS stands for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and is a structured play/interview session that assesses social, communication and play skills. It can be performed on all individuals with a developmental age of 18 months or older. It is regarded as the "gold standard" in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.)

- Feedback session with sharing of diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations

- Comprehensive written report including the results of the ADOS 7 to 10 days following the evaluation