Behavioral Health and Autism Referral Guidelines
Many departments at our hospital offer assessment and treatment/intervention services for children with autism, other neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD), and other behavioral health concerns (such as depression or anxiety). Review the referral guidelines below to identify which clinic best meets your child’s or patient’s needs.
Additionally, for children with a likelihood of autism, services for children 0 to 3 years of age can be obtained by contacting your local Infants & Toddlers/Early Intervention office. You can find your local office here. For children 3 and older, educational autism evaluation may also be available by contacting your local Child Find office. You can find your local office by searching for “Child Find” in your county or district, or calling your local public school district.
For additional information about autism concerns and what to do while you are waiting for medical evaluation, please see the DC Autism Collaborative resources.
Programs
Child Development Program (Ages 0-3)
Department: Developmental Psychology
Location: Main Hospital, Third Floor, Suite 3800
Phone: 202-476-5405
Fax: 202-476-4043
Ages served: Birth through 3 years
The Child Development Program (aka, Child Development Clinic, Developmental Psychology) is a separate clinic from Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics. The Child Development Clinic is staffed by psychologists with expertise in early childhood development, specializing in the assessment of developmental delays and autism and the Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics Clinic is staffed by developmental pediatricians and advanced practice practitioners.
- Services offered:
- Comprehensive developmental evaluations assessing cognitive, language, motor, adaptive, attention/self-regulation and social/emotional functioning in infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children (including consultation regarding treatment-planning)
- Autism evaluations (including the ADOS); initial diagnosis and biannual follow-up
- NICU follow-up (prematurity, birth complications, etc.)
- Children with complex medical histories or otherwise at risk for delays
- Developmental delay; children who are not meeting milestones
- Bilingual evaluations (Spanish)
- How to refer and schedule: Please refer to the Child Development Program at 202-476-5405 (direct line, answered by our office administrator). Our administrator will plan for phone intake and then schedule an appointment.
Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics (Ages 0-21)
Locations: Outpatient clinics for Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at Annapolis, Friendship Heights, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Takoma Theatre
Phone:202-476-5764
Fax: 202-476-4336
Ages served: 0-21, New evaluations for children up to 12 years of age
Most evaluations include screening assessments and sometimes use developmental assessment tools to aid with diagnosis and recommendations. We DO NOT provide comprehensive IQ testing or neuropsychological evaluations. If your child has severe aggression, if there is concern for depression or suicidal ideation, or other mood or mental health disorders you should schedule an appointment with psychiatry and NOT with developmental pediatrics.
- Services offered:
- Evaluation for developmental delays in:
- Speech and language
- Motor functioning
- Cognitive/ academic/ problem solving
- Social/emotional skills
- ADHD evaluation and treatment
- Evaluation for academic underachievement and learning problems
- Evaluation for behavior concerns in children under 12 years
- Autism evaluation and management
- Please note that in certain more complex cases, our department may refer children out for additional assessment before making an Autism diagnosis.
- Evaluation for developmental delays in:
- How to refer and schedule: Directly contact the clinic closest to you to schedule an appointment:
- Annapolis: 410-266-6582
- Prince George’s County: 301-276-9150
- Rockville: 301-294-0897
- Takoma Theatre: 202-729-3300
- Friendship Heights: 202-895-3860
- Howard County: 301-847-2900
- Follow up visits may also be scheduled through the patient portal.
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) (Ages 0-21)
Location: Rockville (Shady Grove), Takoma Theatre, Prince George's County
Phone: 301-765-5432
Fax: 301-765-5470
Ages served:0-21
CASD, along with many other autism centers nationwide, is struggling to meet our community’s evaluation needs. We currently have waitlists that exceed two years for many services and have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our evaluation waitlists. At this time, we are only able to accept referrals for patients requiring evaluation related to gender and autism care needs or young children (children below 48 months) with autism concerns requiring initial diagnostic evaluation. This decision was made to help encourage families to seek services elsewhere in the community because we are unable to offer them in a reasonable timeframe. It will also allow our team to work on new models of care that will enable us to support more families in the future.
- Services offered:
- Standalone and multidisciplinary assessments, including speech-language pathologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and neuropsychologists
- Diagnostic assessments – focused autism assessment and differential diagnosis
- Neuropsychological assessments – comprehensive assessment of neuropsychological functioning in school-age children and young adults, including autism characteristics
- Developmental assessments – comprehensive assessment for individuals with lower language levels
- Preschool assessments – comprehensive assessments for younger children
- Treatment
- Individual and group therapy
- Family support services
- Research
- Standalone and multidisciplinary assessments, including speech-language pathologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and neuropsychologists
- How to refer and schedule: Complete intake and send to our department along with recent records (as noted above) in one of the following ways:
- Via online form
- Fax to 301-765-5470
- Mail to 15245 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850
- A scheduler will contact the family to schedule an appointment.
Autism Behavioral Consult Services (Ages 2-22)
Location: Main hospital
Phone: 202-476-2884
Fax: 202-476-3393
Ages served: 2-22
Email
The ABC service is offered at the request of the patient’s medical care team for patients whose behavior may limit or delay their access to medical care.
Please note: We do not provide autism diagnostic evaluations.
Services Offered
- For identified patients, parents first complete a set of online questionnaire to inform their child’s team about communication, behavioral, and sensory needs in the context of medical visits. This information is available in the medical record under ABC documents and is shared with the Child Life specialists and care teams for all referrals coming in for overnight video EEG, Surgery, Dental, Radiology, and Lab services.
- Patients and families in need of direct 1:1 care will be identified and seen by the ABC inpatient provider or outpatient provider via telehealth for a review of past educational and behavioral interventions to develop or update the behavioral care plan.
How to Refer and Schedule
The service requires an in-house order by the medical care team. Staff, referring providers and families can also visit our Autism Visual Resources: Preparing Your Child for Medical Care page for additional resources and helpful tips.
General Neuropsychology Service (Ages 4-22)
Location: Prince George's County, Rockville (Shady Grove), Takoma Theatre
Phone: 301-765-5430 (option 4)
Fax: 301-765-5470
Ages served: 4-22 (age 6 and up for ADHD and learning disability questions)
For autism spectrum disorder diagnostic questions, patients will be seen through the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) rather than the General Neuropsychology service. Please make sure to let us know if autism is suspected. Note that academic/learning disability evaluation is not covered by medical insurance. We can perform this type of testing on a self-pay basis only.
- Services offered: Neuropsychological and diagnostic evaluations for patients with:
- A medical diagnosis/history that impacts cognitive function (genetic disorder, epilepsy, tumor, leukemia, stroke, TBI, CNS infection, hydrocephalus, congenital heart disease, history of prematurity, other endocrine or metabolic disorders).
- Known or suspected neurodevelopmental disorder (attention disorder, learning/processing problems), especially if the referral question or main issues are in relation to cognitive functions (attention, executive functioning, memory, verbal and visual processing, etc.) and when testing is needed for healthcare decision-making.
- How to refer and schedule: Complete intake and send to our department along with recent records (as noted above) in one of the following ways:
- Via online form
- Email us
- Fax to 301-765-5497; or
- Mail to 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850.
- A scheduler will contact the family to schedule an appointment.
Outpatient Psychology Department (Ages 0-17)
Location: Outpatient Psychology is located at Takoma Theatre
Phone: 202-729-3300
Fax: 202-715-5428
Ages served: 0 - 17
Services Offered
- Anxiety Clinic (Ages: 6-17)
- Individual therapy (CBT, ERP, CBIT for tics), group therapy (social anxiety, teens coping with chronic illness and OCD)
- Depression & Trauma Program (Ages: 6-17)
- Individual therapy (CBT, DBT, TF-CBT), DBT Program (comprehensive treatment including individual, weekly family skills group and phone coaching)
- Early Childhood (Ages: All patients <6 years old including behavior challenges; mood and anxiety disorders; trauma; developmental concerns; autism; challenges with daily living)
- Individual therapy (PCIT, CPP, ABA-informed, family-focused CBT for anxiety); group therapy (parent behavior management; preschool social communication)
- Eating Disorders/Obesity Management (Ages: 6-17)
- Individual therapy (CBT, CBT-E for eating disorders, CBT-AR for ARFID, Family Based Treatment or Maudsley, Body Project Protocol); family-based behavior management for obesity
Services Not Offered
- Comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA); Intellectual Disability/ASD interfering ability to participate in CBT
- Counseling/supportive therapy
- Substance use
- Conduct disorder in patients older than 6 years
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Family therapy (other than for eating disorders)
- Attachment therapy
- Forensic/custody evaluations or recommendation letters to courts
- Intensive Outpatient Therapy
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
- Art Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Crisis response services (e.g., emergency evaluations for return to school)
Clinic Operations
- Therapy slots are typically offered during standard business hours (8am-5pm), evening availability is very limited
- Telehealth is offered based on individual treatment needs at the provider’s discretion as permitted by state/insurance regulations
- Please note that wait times vary and can be lengthy depending on specific treatment services
How to Refer and Schedule
- Complete an intake packet (PDF) and send to the department
- Or email the Psychology team
- For Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program: Email our team
ADHD & Learning Differences Program (Ages 4-21)
Location: The ADHD & Learning Differences Program is located at Takoma Theatre
Phone: 202-729-3300
Fax: 202-715-5428
Ages served: 4-21
Review full description of our services and programs offered on our webpage. Please note we do not provide autism diagnostic evaluations.
Services Offered
- Diagnostic evaluations for ADHD
- Cognitive/psychological testing – when the referral question or main issues are in relation to cognitive functions (attention, executive functioning, memory, verbal and visual processing, etc.) and when testing is needed for healthcare decision-making. Note that academic/learning disability evaluation is not covered by medical insurance. We can perform this type of testing on a self-pay basis only
- Individual and family therapy
- Multi-family groups for parents of children with ADHD focused on managing behaviors associated with ADHD
- Group therapy for child and adolescents to build and practice skills for academic/organization/time management skills (teens) and managing frustration (pre-teens)
How to Refer and Schedule
- Complete intake form
- Or email our team
- A scheduler will contact the family to schedule an appointment.
Outpatient Psychiatry Department (Ages 0-17)
Location: Outpatient Psychiatry is located at Takoma Theatre
Phone: 202-729-3300
Fax: 202-715-5428
Ages served: 0-17
- Services Offered
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment, including medication management for the following:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Intellectual Disability
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Learning disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
- Mood Disorders
- Bipolar disorder/manic depression
- Major depression
- Chronic Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social phobia
- Eating and feeding disorders
- Gender development and related disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder and PANS/ PANDAS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Addiction disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Early childhood behavioral health disorders
- Consultation clinic for mild-moderate severity disorders in collaboration with PCP
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment, including medication management for the following:
- Services Not Offered
- Comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA); Intellectual Disability/ASD interfering ability to participate in CBT
- Counseling/supportive therapy § Substance use
- Conduct disorder in patients older than 6 years
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Family therapy (other than for eating disorders)
- Attachment therapy
- Forensic/custody evaluations or recommendation letters to courts
- Intensive Outpatient Therapy and PHP
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
- Art Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Crisis response services (e.g., emergency evaluations for return to school)
- Clinic Operations
- Please note that wait times vary and can be lengthy depending on specific treatment services
How to Refer and Schedule
- All referrals are completed by requesting Phreesia intake packet from Takoma Theatre front desk by calling 202-729-3300. All intakes will be reviewed and referred to the related program.
Hearing and Speech (Ages 0-21)
Location: Hearing and Speech is located at the main hospital and the following outpatient clinics: Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Takoma Theatre, Northern Virginia
Phone: 202-476-5600 (main hospital); 301-765-5400 (Montgomery); 301-276-9100 (Prince George’s); 202-745-2000 (Takoma); 703-280-3850 (Virginia)
Fax: 301-294-0897 (Montgomery); 301-276-9150 (Prince George’s); (202) 715-4530 (Takoma); 571-405-5700 (Virginia)
Ages served: Birth to 21
- Providers should review speech-language evaluation records before making a referral. If the child has already been formally evaluated within the last year, a speech-language evaluation is most likely unwarranted. This includes outside clinics and updated IEPs.
- If the child has an updated IEP or evaluation and needs speech-language therapy, they should contact the clinic closest to them and specify therapy and that an evaluation is not warranted. If their evaluation is not updated, they will require a speech-language evaluation before being placed on the waitlist for therapy.
- Speech-language therapy is not guaranteed after an evaluation is completed. Children will be placed on the clinic’s waitlist and be contacted when there’s an opening.
Services Offered
Some of the most common conditions we evaluate and treat include:
- Articulation/phonological delay/disorders
- Auditory processing
- Conductive hearing loss
- Language delay/disorders
- Motor speech disorders
- One-way speaking valves for tracheostomy patients
- Paradoxical vocal cord movement disorder
- Pediatric feeding disorders
- Resonance disorders
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Single-sided deafness
- Social communication disorders
- Stuttering
- Vestibular and balance
- Voice disorders
Specialty Clinics
- Aerodigestive
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Balance and Vestibular
- Cardiac and Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program (CANDO)
- Cleft and Craniofacial
- Cochlear Implant
- Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement Disorder (PVFM)
- Turner Syndrome
- Velo-Pharyngeal Incompetence
- Voice
Bilingual (Spanish-English) evaluations are offered at the Scottish Rite Center for concerns related to speech and language delays.
How to Refer and Schedule
- Contact the clinics via phone numbers listed above and request a speech-language evaluation. The COR will ask the parent a series of questions and schedule them in the next available appointment. Evaluations are booked two months in advance, so if parents call and evaluation slots are filled, they may be asked to call back later. Parents should continue to call until they are scheduled.
- Parents should call and specifically request speech-language therapy. Parents should be prepared to provide information regarding previous speech-language evaluations so that the receptionist can inform them of proper next steps.