Cleveland Clinic caregiver working with a young girl at the Lerner School for Autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

As a parent, your child’s “firsts” bring you lots of joy. But if these milestones don’t happen on schedule – or at all – you might start to worry.

If your child isn’t developing speech or motor skills as quickly as you think they should, you might wonder what’s causing the delay. You might even worry that they have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). And you likely want to know what’s next.

Finding the right team to diagnose and treat your child is the first step to getting them the support and therapies they need. At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we give your child expert, compassionate care as they grow and develop — and the education and support you need to help them reach their goals.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic Children’s for Autism Spectrum Disorder Care?

Comprehensive treatment:

We offer many services, including testing, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, speech and language therapy and educational programs for your child and your family.

Personalized care:

Our compassionate providers take time to get to know your child —their personality, preferences and challenges — so we can craft a treatment plan that meets their unique needs.

Skilled collaborative providers:

Our providers have years of experience working with children with ASD. We can improve your child’s communication and social skills, reduce disruptive behaviors like tantrums and help with sleep and feeding problems. Meet our team.

Innovation and research:

Our research helps us better understand and treat kids with ASD. You can play an active role in our mission and try new ASD treatments by enrolling your child in our clinical research program.

National recognition:

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Cleveland Clinic a top hospital in the nation. Newsweek has also named Cleveland Clinic a top hospital in the world.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

No laboratory test can diagnose autism spectrum disorder. Cleveland Clinic Children’s highly trained providers will spend time with you and your child — getting to know them and watching their behavior — to make a diagnosis.

The provider will meet with your child one-on-one in a comfortable, kid-friendly environment. We’ll do play activities with your child and watch their behavior.

We’ll spend time with you, too. We’re here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and talk about your child’s symptoms.

If our testing confirms your child has ASD, we’ll give you the information and resources you need to make informed decisions about your child’s care. We’ll go over treatment options, community resources and educational programs that may help your child grow and develop.

Provider Who Treats Autism Spectrum Disorder

Locations

We offer treatment for autism spectrum disorder at the following locations in Northeast Ohio.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment at Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Our experts help improve your child’s ASD symptoms — like delayed social and communication skills — through therapies designed specifically for them. They’ll work with you and your child to choose therapies just right for their age and that help them meet developmental goals.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA uses proven behavior therapy techniques, which help decrease negative behaviors and increase positive ones. We’ll also help you learn more about ASD and how it affects your child so you can continue your child’s therapy at home. This is an important part of therapy.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

A BCBA is a graduate-level certified provider who specializes in the science of applied behavior analysis. Our BCBAs work with you and your child to design treatment plans that address skills related to adaptive functioning, daily living and reducing challenging behaviors. These providers work with children and adults of all ages across different settings, including center-based programs, schools and home.

Speech and language therapy

Our speech and language therapists are specially trained in ABA and help your child communicate and relate to people around them. Whether it’s understanding body language or forming their first words, we’ll set goals for your child and help them reach them.

Lerner School for Autism

Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner School for Autism serves students from the age they’re first diagnosed to 22 years. Our licensed special educators use applied behavior analysis to help your child develop language, social, play and toilet training skills.

At The Lerner School for Autism, your child is surrounded by ASD specialists, including:

Psychologists.
Board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs).
Teachers.
Speech and language pathologists.
Occupational therapists.
Physical therapists.
Classroom behavioral therapists.

Our Team

Speech-language pathologists

Kelly Klika.
Maripat Hanna.
Lindsay Hixenbaugh.
Samantha Wallace.

Behavioral analysts

Elizabeth Fiala.
Chiara Graver.
Sara Preston.

Behavioral technicians

Julie Brown.
Josie Bryant.
Carsen Dennis.
Amanda Durma.
Anna Gonzales.
Courtney Hurst.
Ashley Lange.
Louis Marich.
Katherine Moore.
Rumbidzai Mupinga.
Shaelyn Schleis.

Taking the Next Step

If you have concerns about your child’s development and wonder if they might have autism spectrum disorder, we’re here to help. Our ASD experts can give you the answers you need. We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help your child reach their development goals. And we’ll help you understand ASD better so you can give your child the support they need throughout their life.