Services

Autism Assessments

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Dr. Woods provides assessments of autism across the lifespan (toddlerhood to later adulthood). By integrating multiple tools and types of data, Dr. Woods can give you results with confidence. Dr. Woods has extensive training in established tools for diagnosing autism, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition and TELE-ASD Peds. She is also trained in strengths-based measures like the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition and has designed the Survey of Autistic Strengths and Skills. Autism characteristics can sometimes be more subtle, especially in girls and women. Dr. Woods keeps up to date on the latest tools for assessing autism and has a number of effective strategies for assessing autism in these more subtle cases. Neurodiversity is important to Dr. Woods and she conveys results in a way that values difference while also helping people navigate the sometimes confusing system of accessing supports in school, the medical world, and in the community. In addition to clarifying whether or not you or your child are autistic, Dr. Woods can help you get a better understanding of your unique profile, including executive functioning challenges, cognitive skills, and autism-related strengths. Dr. Woods leads trainings for other professionals on neurodiversity and autism. She has also published research on autism in peer-reviewed journals and plays an active role in challenging the conversation about autism in academia to promote a more neurodiversity-affirming understanding.

Learning and ADHD Assessments

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Children and adolescents spend the vast majority of their time in school. Having a learning difference can sometimes make school unbearable. Gaining an understanding of your child’s learning differences can help you advocate and provide guidance to help learning go more smoothly, and lead to greater success, both at home and at school. Sometimes adults do not find out about their own learning or attention issues until college or beyond. It is never too late to be assessed for ADHD or a learning disability. Dr. Woods is skilled in diagnosing learning disabilities and ADHD and in conveying results in a meaningful way for families, schools, and providers. She provides specific, evidence-based results that can inform intervention and learning. Dr. Woods also has experience conducting independent education evaluations. She has published peer-reviewed research on reading development and executive functioning.

Mood, Personality, Anxiety, and Trauma Assessments

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Sometimes intense emotions can be confusing and we may not even understand why we act or interact the way we do. Getting a thorough assessment to understand our children’s or own emotional and social behavior can offer clarity and direction. Dr. Woods has worked on inpatient psychiatric units for both children and adults, prison, and an ER. She takes a trauma-informed approach to all assessments. Having worked with people across the SES spectrum, Dr. Woods has a solid understanding of how social context plays an important role in our understanding of mental health. Dr. Woods has experience working with children with stigmatized health conditions like HIV and has published in the HIV Clinician. Contracting with state agencies and inpatient hospitals is an additional service that Dr. Woods provides. She is often sought out because of her understanding of comorbid conditions and her ability to establish rapport with a range of clients.

Gifted Assessments

 

Being intellectually gifted comes with a unique set of challenges, in addition to the obvious benefits. Gifted children and adults who are not appropriately challenged may never reach their potential and may start to hate school and learning. Being identified as gifted can help other people understand a child or adult. It can also provide access to special schools, programs, and services designed to help meet the needs of people with special types of skills. Twice exceptional people (those who are gifted and also have a disability) require a special type of understanding and support. Dr. Woods can help identify areas of weakness and strength and empower people to advocate for the support they need. Some gifted children are easily bored with traditional testing, but Dr. Woods uses special tools (including ipads) and skills to engage them. She sets them up for success.

Other Assessments

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Dr. Woods also has experience providing pre-surgical evaluations for people planning to undergo bariatric surgery. She has experience working with unique and somewhat rare issues like PANS/PANDAS. Dr. Woods is often sought after for “tricky cases” because she loves a challenge and thrives on working as a team with her clients and family members to solve problems and figure out answers.

Consulting and Contracting

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Dr. Woods is available to consult with state and private agencies and schools for assessments across the lifespan. Dr. Woods has experience working in schools, hospitals (inpatient, outpatient, ER), university clinics, prison, and private practice. She is comfortable working with people from all walks of life and can tailor assessments to answer the referral question effectively. Dr. Woods specializes in autism and neurodiversity and is also happy to consult with private companies or businesses to better understand autism.

Exceptions

 

Dr. Woods is not currently providing assessments for the following: custody/parenting assessments and eating disorder-related assessments.