Neuro Assessment Center

Autism is a misunderstood condition[1] that can cause a wide variety of social problems. Currently, it’s estimated that boys are four more times likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls and that one out of sixty children in the U.S. may have it.[2]  

From a neurobiological perspective, some research indicates that adults who struggle with autism have reduced white matter in their brains.[3] On the other hand, from a neuropsychological perspective, some research indicates that people who struggle with autistic traits have a hyper left frontal hemispheric limbic system.[4] 

It is believed that people who struggle with these issues are highly intelligent.[5] Consequently, research suggests that people on the spectrum suffer from a great amount of pressure including false expectations that cause them to struggle even more.[6]   

We understand that people on the spectrum may struggle with social issues, spatial processing tasks, social cues, OCD traits, and attention.[7] Moreover, we believe in treating people who struggle with these issues competently and holistically.

We are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of people who are on the spectrum and our Neuro Cognitive Therapy has shown itself to be quite useful. Click on these links for more information about how assessments and treatments like CBT, ABA Therapy, and Neuro Cognitive Therapy can help.

References:

[1] Treffert, D. A. (2014). Savant syndrome: Realities, myths and misconceptions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(3), 564-571.

[2] Newschaffer, C. J., Falb, M. D., & Gurney, J. G. (2005). National autism prevalence trends from United States special education data. Pediatrics, 115(3), e277-e282.

[3] Haigh, S. M., Keller, T. A., Minshew, N. J., & Eack, S. M. (2020). Reduced White Matter Integrity and Deficits in Neuropsychological Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research.

[4] Loveland, K. A., Bachevalier, J., Pearson, D. A., & Lane, D. M. (2008). Fronto-limbic functioning in children and adolescents with and without autism. Neuropsychologia, 46(1), 49-62.

[5] Piven, J., Harper, J., Palmer, P. A. T., & Arndt, S. (1996). Course of behavioral change in autism: A retrospective study of high-IQ adolescents and adults. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 35(4), 523-529.

[6] Alvares, G. A., Bebbington, K., Cleary, D., Evans, K., Glasson, E. J., Maybery, M. T., … & Whitehouse, A. J. (2020). The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis. Autism, 24(1), 221-232.

[7] Groom, M. J., Kochhar, P., Hamilton, A., Liddle, E. B., Simeou, M., & Hollis, C. (2017). Atypical processing of gaze cues and faces explains comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 47(5), 1496-1509.