All Services: I am professionally licensed in Pennsylvania, so at this time, I can see clients who are located anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania at the time of the appointment.

Diagnostic Services: I am currently accepting young children (ages 36 months and under) with a likely or suspected autism diagnosis.

Parent Consultation: Although I am specialized in early childhood, I am happy to consult with parents of autistic children of any age.

Forensic Evaluation: My availability to take on forensic cases depends on a number of factors. Please complete my new client intake form if you would like to discuss your case with me.

The first step is to complete my new client inquiry form.

After that, I will reach out for you for a free intake call. We will discuss what you are looking for, and whether my services would be a good fit for your needs.

I use a research-based telehealth protocol that was developed at the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Vanderbilt University.

If you decide you want to work with me, we will schedule a 3-hour video conference appointment at a time that works for your family. During the visit, I will spend 30-45 minutes talking to you about what makes you think your child might be on the autism spectrum, 30-45 minutes observing your child, and 30-45 minutes asking you follow-up questions to help me decide if an autism diagnosis might be the right fit.

Before the appointment, I will ask you to fill out some questionnaires. I will also ask you to share any previous testing your child has had related to their development. I will send you detailed instructions about what to expect during the appointment.

The appointment will take place at your home. During the appointment, we will do three things:

I will administer the Tele-ASD-peds, a well-established tool for diagnosing autism via telehealth in young children. To do this, I will give you instructions on activities to do with your child and I will observe how they react. Learn more about the TELE-ASD-PEDS on the Vanderbilt website.
I will share my observations and ask you questions about your child’s behavior in other contexts.
We will schedule a time to meet for a feedback session (#1 below).

After the appointment:

I will meet with you again to discuss what I found during the assessment. This can happen as soon as an hour after testing if that works for you (ideal if your toddler takes an afternoon nap!). If your child meets criteria for autism, I will tell you that. I will counsel you through next steps for intervention and support, even if I do not diagnose your child.
If your child is 24 months or older, I will complete the CARS-2, an additional tool that can be helpful for communicating information about an autism diagnosis to third parties (for example, schools, insurance companies).
Within two weeks, I will send you a clinical report which describes why I gave (or did not give) an autism diagnosis. I will also include personalized recommendations for next steps.
I will make myself available for brief phone and email support to help you figure out the best available resources for your child and family.
(optional) All families seen for diagnostic assessment are offered a free 6-month follow-up parent consultation session.

Yes! Autism can be diagnosed in most children by age 2, and many parents report noticing signs of developmental delay or difference before their child’s first birthday. I use a telehealth protocol that was specifically designed to diagnose children ages 36 months and younger in their home environment. I have diagnosed hundreds of children under the age of 3.

Earlier is better when it comes to autism diagnosis. Here are two main reasons why:

Autism-specific interventions have the strongest effects when kids start early. A recent study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that autistic children who started intervention by 18 months made more gains in language, social communication, and daily living skills compared to those who started at 27 months.
Getting an autism diagnosis early can help you understand your child’s unique strengths, interests, and challenges. This can help move you and your family through the critical process of accepting and embracing the child you have, which can take time for some families, especially when neither parent is neurodivergent.

Here’s an interview I gave about autism awareness and the importance of early detection.

There are two main advantages to telehealth when it comes to autism diagnosis: (1) it is convenient for most families, and (2) it allows me to observe your child at home, where they are already comfortable.

The main disadvantage is that sometimes I may need more information to make a diagnostic decision that cannot be collected remotely. For example, I may determine that your child needs a specific test that can only be administered in person. Research studies suggest that this happens 10-20% of the time with telehealth autism diagnosis. I currently do not have a means of seeing children for follow-up in-person evaluations, although I am working on developing a system to do this. If I determine that your child needs further testing that I cannot administer, I will help connect with an appropriate referral and will share all of my findings with that provider, with your consent.

Telehealth diagnosis of autism has become increasingly popular, and there are now many studies supporting its use.

There are advantages to telehealth: it is convenient for many families, and it gives me an opportunity to observe your child in a comfortable environment (your home!). Telehealth assessments also tend to be briefer than traditional in-person autism assessments, reducing the amount of stress on your child and family, and getting you an answer as soon as possible.

The main disadvantage to telehealth assessment is that in some cases (10-20%) I may not be able to make a diagnostic decision. This is why I recommend that families stay on other waiting lists until after your assessment with me. Even if I cannot make a diagnostic decision for your child, I will still make specific, individualized recommendations for your child and provide a detailed assessment report.

I use a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to protect client confidentiality.

You’re in luck! I just opened my practice so my waiting list is very light. In fact, I was motivated to start a private practice because I have heard so many horror stories from families about how long waiting lists are for diagnostic services. I should be able to schedule your child’s telehealth appointment within a month of receiving your contact form.

In the meantime, if you believe your child may have a developmental delay, please self-refer to early intervention. You do not need a referral from a pediatrician. You will often need a formal diagnosis to qualify for autism-specific services, but it’s helpful to start whatever you can as early as possible. You do not need a formal diagnosis for many early intervention services.

To self-refer to early intervention services in the state of Pennsylvania, call the CONNECT Helpline: 1-800-692-7288, email help@connectpa.net, or submit this early intervention referral form.

I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. I am licensed by the State Board of Psychology and have had my license since 2015. I can provide services for clients anywhere in Pennsylvania via telehealth.

Clinical Training and Experience

2018-current, Clinical psychologist and supervisor, AJ Drexel Autism Institute
- Conduct and supervise autism assessments for research studies on autism screening, diagnosis, and early intervention
2014-2016, Postdoctoral research fellowship, Center for Autism Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Advanced training in interdisciplinary autism research
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) fellow
2013-2014, Postdoctoral clinical fellowship, Center for Autism Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Advanced training in lifespan autism assessment (from toddlers to adults)
2012-2013, Clinical Internship, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Autism track
- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) fellow
- Rotations in autism assessment, family therapy for ADHD, sleep, and anxiety
2006-2010, Clinical Psychology doctoral student
- Early Detection lab (validation of the M-CHAT, a screening tool for autism in toddlers)
- Practica in psychological assessment, pediatric neuropsychology, and child and family therapy

Education

2013, PhD, University of Connecticut (Clinical Psychology)
- Concentrations in Clinical Child Psychology and Neuropsychology
2003, BA, Tufts University (Philosophy and Psychology, summa cum laude)

Overview

I charge a flat fee of $3000 for autism diagnostic assessments via telehealth. This includes review of records, testing, interviews, and a detailed assessment report with individualized recommendations to meet your family’s needs, with follow-up for care navigation.

45-minute parent consultation sessions are $300. This includes review of records, a consultation meeting, and individualized recommendations.

My hourly rate is $400/hour. This applies to all services not described above, including forensic evaluations and expert testimony.

Insurance

I do not accept insurance and am considered an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans. All fees are due at the time of service.

I provide superbills upon request that you may submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. Please consult with your insurance provider for more information about your policy.

Good Faith Estimate

No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimate notice.

Currently all services are offered exclusively via telehealth. Should in-person services become available in the future, I will update the site accordingly.

Notice of privacy practices