Autism Center providers multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation and treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Services include comprehensive psychiatric assessment, brief intervention treatment, medication evaluation and management, short-term evidence-informed therapies in both individual and group settings. In addition specialized classes and support services are offered to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Agency provides DBHR-certified service(s).

Autism Evaluation and Treatment offered at Seattle Children's Magnuson Clinic

Provides a multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation as well as treatment for children with suspected autism spectrum disorders.

Programs that conduct pediatric evaluations which are intended to confirm the presence in a child of a particular disease or condition.

Specialized Pediatric Evaluation

Programs that provide a variety of standardized tests including personality inventories, aptitude tests, intelligence tests, attitude tests, projective measures and affective tests to evaluate the psychosocial functioning of people who may be experiencing mental, emotional or social difficulties. Psychological testing is often a part of a broader psychological assessment, and may be used in differential diagnosis to substantiate that a particular diagnosis is correct.

Psychological Testing

Programs that offer any of a variety of therapeutic interventions, which may be used singly or in combination, to address the range of social, language, sensory and behavioral difficulties experienced by children and adults with autism and related disorders. Because of the spectrum nature of autism and the many behavior combinations that can occur, treatment approaches must be tailored to meet the individual needs of each person. Included are behavioral and communication development approaches, specialized curricula and sensory integration; biomedical and dietary treatments including psychiatric medications, vitamins and minerals (such as Vitamin B6, magnesium and essential fatty acids), treatment using the hormone secretin and special diets; and various complementary therapies such as music, art or equestrian, speech, physical or occupational which may be used on an individual basis or integrated into an educational program.

Autism Therapy

Programs that utilize a variety of means to evaluate the mental or emotional status or functioning of people who may be experiencing acute or chronic disturbances. Diagnostic techniques may include observation of the person's behavior, interviews with the individual and significant others, psychological testing as indicated, medical examination, assessment for psychotropic or other medication, and the formulation of an appropriate, ongoing treatment plan which may include voluntary or involuntary hospitalization.

Clinical Psychiatric Evaluation

Programs that prescribe antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, antimaniacs, sedatives and antipsychotic/neuroleptic medications to control symptoms such as delusions, extreme agitation, panic attacks, manic or depressive episodes, hallucinations or paranoia that are associated with specific forms of mental illness. Services may include a psychiatric evaluation to determine the need for medication; prescription of an appropriate drug; and periodic follow-up to monitor the effectiveness of the medication in modifying the individual's behavior, ensure that undesirable side effects are minimized and verify that medication is, in fact, being taken as prescribed.

Psychiatric Medication Services

Provides evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents, ages birth through 18. Services include comprehensive psychiatric assessment, brief intervention treatment, medication evaluation and management, short-term evidence-informed therapies, and skill-based group programs.  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program is offered for adolescents with self-harm behavior and includes individual and group therapy.  Agency provides DBHR-certified service(s).

Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program offered at Seattle Children's Magnuson Clinic

Provides evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents, ages 1-18. Services include comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication evaluation and management, and therapy services.

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children from infancy to age 12 who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbances, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness.

Child Guidance

Programs that specialize in providing preventive, diagnostic and treatment services that focus on strengthening the social and emotional development and well-being of infants and young children within the context of early primary relationships. Services may include emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment and support, infant-parent psychotherapy and advocacy. The objectives of the discipline are to help infants and young children develop close and secure relationships with others; experience, express and regulate a full range of both positive and negative emotions; and actively explore the environment and learn.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Programs that are staffed by licensed physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and behavior affecting children, adolescents and their families. Services include an assessment that involves a detailed exploration of current concerns about the child or adolescent's emotional or behavioral problems, physical health and development, history of parental care (including possible abuse), family relationships and any history of parental/familial mental illness; and a variety of treatment options that may include psychotherapy, medication and/or consultation with other physicians or professionals from schools, juvenile courts, social agencies or other community organizations.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted infection, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.