MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic
Appointments: 440-592-3740
MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic
Appointments: 440-592-3740
MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic (MAAC)
MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic (MAAC) evaluates patients for autism spectrum disorders as young as 24 months through adulthood. Our experts meet one-on-one with patients and their caregivers to diagnose behavioral issues, and we create personalized treatment plans that can help patients—and their families—move forward.
In young children, the following may be signs of autism:
- Delayed speech or no talking
- Little eye contact
- Not pointing at people or objects
- Not smiling at other people
- Playing with mostly one kind of toy or part of a toy
- Not playing with you or other children
Common signs of autism in adults include:
- Finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
- Getting very anxious about social situations
- Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
- Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
- Finding it hard to say how you feel
- Taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "the early bird gets the worm"
- Having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes
For pediatric patients, no referral is needed. For adult patients who have not been formally diagnosed with autism, we require a referral from a doctor or mental health professional who has identified symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
MAAC Assessment - Four Visits*:
MAAC provides an efficient way for patients and their caregivers to see a range of experts in autism spectrum disorders, including psychologists, developmental pediatricians, speech therapists and other specialists.
- At the first visit, MetroHealth’s autism experts meet with families or caregivers of patients. During this visit, our clinical social worker will to talk about your child and family. This visit will last 1 hour.
- During the second visit, we will follow up with families or caregivers in person or through a telehealth appointment with our psychologist to complete the patient’s first assessment.
- At the third visit, patients and their families or caregivers will meet with a psychologist, a speech/language therapist and a doctor who specializes in child development. This visit takes 3 hours.
- At the fourth visit, the psychologist will share with you whether they think your child has autism or any other conditions. We will put a plan in place and direct you to the right services for your child. If needed, you may also meet with other experts. This visit is 1 hour.
*Additional visits may be set up to meet the needs of your child.
Our Services
MAAC physicians and staff provide a safe and supportive space for patients to receive treatment. Our team has experience working with patients, families and caregivers from different cultures, and we take into consideration your background when putting together approaches to treatment.
Examples of our services include:
- Hispanic MAAC for children who speak Spanish in the home and are ages 18 months to 18 years. All providers in the clinic speak Spanish.
- Experience working with refugees, victims of childhood trauma and other sensitive cases.
- School age clinic for children ages 6 years to 18 years old who have not had a diagnosis of autism by a doctor.
- Developmental assessments for children age 18 months to 5 years old.
- Adult autism assessments for adults who are concerned they are autistic (with doctor's referral).
- Short term services with a social worker if needed to find the right resources.
To learn more, call 440-592-3740.
Resources
Find tips and tricks for setting up a virtual classroom for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Download the virtual classroom guide
Location
MetroHealth Autism Assessment Clinic is located at:
Parma Medical Center
12301 Snow Road
Parma, Ohio 44130
Providers
Providers you may see at MAAC include:
Xzavier Hurt, Psychometrician
Tanisha Harris, Practice Support Specialist
Jessica Simpson, PhD
Nydia Mendez, SLP
Gabrielle Villa, SLP
Appointments
Ask your doctor to make a referral to MetroHealth Child Psychology, Speech Therapy and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
After the referral is made, call 440-592-3740 and ask for an autism assessment.
Views stated in this program are those of the clinicians only and are not attributed to the sponsors, the Ohio Department of Medicaid or to the Federal Medicaid Program.
