Autism Evaluations at HLC Therapy Group, LLC
WHAT SETS US APART?
We are a team of NEURO-AFFIRMATIVE therapists working in collaboration with Neuropsychologists to assist in identifying a child's STRENGTHS and areas of DIFFERENCE or difficulty to EMPOWER PARENTS AND CHILDREN. Given this KNOWLEDGE, parents are better informed to ask the right questions and seek out the most beneficial supports to meet their child's needs.
OUR PROCESS LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY CHILD, BECAUSE EVERY CHILD IS UNIQUE!
PHASE 1
This involves our team collecting information to begin learning about your child and your family. We will walk you through our intake forms and other checklists that may be useful as a part of the process to understand parent perspectives, as well as connecting you with our team doc.
PHASE 2
This involves all direct assessments. We always include a HOME VISIT and a CLINIC VISIT to learn about your child in different settings and under differing circumstances. A speech therapist and an occupational therapist will collect information about your child's sensory processing, communication, motor skills, and feeding skills. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, Second Edition (ADOS-2) will be conducted to understand any of your child's behaviors that may be related to a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. All of the information collected by the therapists will be shared directly with the neuropsychologist. Based on the Doctor's review, your child may need one or more visits with the doctor at their clinic (this is common for kids ages 5 and up), or the doctor may determine a teleconference is all that is needed to conclude this phase.
Ready to Schedule?
Contact us at hello@hlctherapy.com or by calling (847) 829-0922.
PHASE 3
This is designed to equip and empower parents with knowledge. The speech therapist and occupational therapist will be available to a.) review any/all assessment information, b.) answer any remaining questions, c.) review an expansive list of resources our team has compiled specific for your community, child, and family needs, and d.) listen.
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When a child or teen can understand their own brain's strengths and areas of difference, they are able to make better sense of the world around them and within them.
MEET THE TEAM
Sara Zielinski MS, OTR/L Occupational Therapist | HLC Therapy Group, LLC
Sara Zielinski attended undergraduate and graduate school at Western Michigan University, earning her degree as an occupational therapist. Sara has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist providing direct therapy and consultation services to children and families through clinic, school-based, and Early Intervention programs. Sara has focused her career on the evaluation and treatment of children with sensory processing challenges and motor deficits.
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Her clinical interests include musculoskeletal and physical impairments, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Disabilities. Sara’s interests outside of the clinic include spending time with her husband, 3 daughters, and 2 dogs, going camping, and finding every opportunity to spend time outdoors.
Christine Sumara M.A. CCC-SLP/L
Christine Sumara is a pediatric clinical speech language pathologist and founder of HLC Therapy Group, LLC. Christine earned her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Northern Illinois University. While initially working with adults rehabilitating from brain injuries, Christine has spent the majority of her career in pediatrics working in a variety of school, early intervention and private practice settings. Christine specializes in motor planning deficits often seen in Childhood Apraxia of Speech or apraxia secondary to Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as Pediatric Feeding Disorders.
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Christine’s professional and personal values are based on Hope, Laughter, and Connection (HLC- get it?). No coincidence that these are also the initials of Christine’s three children, Henry, Liam and Caroline, who keep her and her husband proud, full of joy, and on their toes-constantly learning everyday!