Autism & Neurodivergence

Autism & Neurodivergent Care

Psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and compassionate support for neurodivergent children, teens, and their families.

What Does Neurodivergent Mean?

Neurodivergent is a term that describes people whose brains develop and function differently from what is considered typical. It includes autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other neurological differences. Neurodivergence is not a disease to be cured. It is a natural variation in how human brains work.

Still, neurodivergent children often face real challenges. They may struggle with social communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive function, or adapting to the expectations of a world designed primarily for neurotypical people. These challenges can cause significant distress, not because there is something wrong with the child, but because the environment is not set up to support the way their brain works.

At NS Psychiatry, we take a strengths-based approach to neurodivergent care. Our goal is not to make your child “normal.” It is to help them thrive as they are. Jonathan Stevens, M.D., M.P.H. is Harvard-trained and triple board-certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine. He and our team have extensive experience working with neurodivergent children and their families across Palm Beach County. We understand the complexities, the overlapping diagnoses, and the importance of getting the full picture before recommending treatment.

Parent and child walking in a sunny park in South Florida

Signs of Autism by Age

Autism spectrum disorder presents differently in every child. Some signs are visible early in development, while others may not become apparent until social and academic demands increase. Here is what parents may notice at different ages.

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 1-4)

Early signs can include delayed or absent speech, limited eye contact, not responding to their name by 12 months, not pointing or waving by 12 months, limited interest in other children, repetitive movements (hand flapping, spinning, lining up toys), strong reactions to certain textures or sounds, and difficulty with changes in routine. Some toddlers may develop language on time but use it in unusual ways, like repeating phrases from television, for example, rather than using language to communicate needs or engage in conversation. Not every child with autism shows all of these signs, and some children with these signs do not have autism. That is why a thorough evaluation matters.

School-Age Children (Ages 5-11)

In school-age children, autism may become more apparent as social expectations increase. Signs can include difficulty reading social cues (facial expressions, tone of voice, body language), trouble making and maintaining friendships, intense or narrow interests that dominate conversation, difficulty understanding sarcasm or figurative language, rigid thinking and resistance to changes in plans, sensory sensitivities (avoiding certain foods, covering ears in loud environments, discomfort with clothing tags), and challenges with group activities or unstructured time like recess. Some children, especially girls, may learn to mask their autistic traits in social settings, making identification more difficult. These children often come home from school exhausted from the effort of appearing neurotypical all day.

Teens (Ages 12-17)

Some autistic teens were identified early and have a diagnosis by this point. Others, particularly those with average or above-average intelligence and strong masking skills, may reach adolescence without a diagnosis. In teens, signs can include social isolation or difficulty navigating increasingly complex social dynamics, intense special interests, difficulty with executive function tasks like planning and organizing schoolwork, heightened anxiety or depression (often stemming from years of feeling different without understanding why), and sensory overwhelm in busy environments like school hallways or cafeterias. A late diagnosis can actually be a relief for many teens and families because it provides an explanation and opens the door to targeted support.

The Evaluation Process

At NS Psychiatry, the evaluation begins with a comprehensive initial consultation of up to 90 minutes with your provider. This is significantly more time than a standard office visit, and we use every minute of it.

During the evaluation, your provider will:

Review your child's full developmental history, including early milestones, language development, and social behavior
Discuss current concerns: what you are observing at home, what teachers and other caregivers have reported, and what your child's daily life looks like
Observe your child's communication style, behavior, and interaction during the visit
Screen for co-occurring conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and sleep disturbances
Review any prior evaluations, school records, or testing results you bring with you

Our providers are experienced in recognizing autism across the full spectrum, including presentations that are often missed, such as autism in girls, autism in children with average or above-average intelligence, and autism that co-occurs with ADHD. We also know when a more comprehensive developmental evaluation (including psychoeducational testing or formal ADOS-2 administration) would be helpful, and we can refer you to trusted psychologists in Palm Beach County for this purpose.

After the evaluation, your provider will share their findings with you in plain language. If autism is identified, we will discuss what that means for your child specifically, what treatment options make sense, and what next steps to take. If autism is not the right diagnosis, we will explain what we think is going on and what would be more helpful. Either way, you leave the appointment with clarity.

Treatment and Support Options

There is no single treatment for autism because autism is not a single experience. Support should be tailored to the individual child: their strengths, their challenges, their age, and their family's goals. Here are the most common and evidence-based approaches:

Behavioral Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most widely used behavioral intervention for autism. When delivered by qualified therapists, ABA can help children develop communication skills, social skills, daily living skills, and adaptive behaviors. Modern ABA has evolved significantly from its earlier iterations and is now more naturalistic, play-based, and focused on building skills rather than eliminating behaviors.

Speech and Language Therapy

Many autistic children benefit from speech therapy, not only for language development but also for pragmatic language skills (the social use of language), understanding figurative expressions, and developing conversational reciprocity.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) can help children who struggle with sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care tasks, and adaptive behaviors. For children with significant sensory sensitivities, OT can be particularly valuable in helping them tolerate and navigate everyday environments.

School Accommodations

Many autistic children qualify for accommodations through a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). These can include modified assignments, sensory breaks, social skills groups, preferential seating, extended time on tests, and support from a paraprofessional. We can provide the documentation needed to support your child's eligibility.

Psychiatric Medication Management

While there is no medication for autism itself, medication can play an important role in managing co-occurring symptoms. This is where NS Psychiatry's expertise is most directly relevant, and it is covered in detail in the next section.

Medication Management for Co-Occurring Conditions

Most autistic children have at least one co-occurring psychiatric condition. Research suggests that approximately 70% of autistic individuals have one co-occurring condition, and 40% have two or more. The most common include:

ADHD affects 30-80% of autistic children. Stimulant and non-stimulant medications can help with attention and impulse control, though autistic children may be more sensitive to side effects and often require lower starting doses.
Anxiety is extremely common in autistic children and teens. SSRIs can be effective, but starting doses are typically lower than for non-autistic children, and changes are made more gradually.
Irritability and aggression, when severe, may be treated with medications such as risperidone (Risperdal) or aripiprazole (Abilify), both of which are FDA-approved specifically for irritability associated with autism in children.
Sleep disturbances like difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is common in autistic children. Behavioral interventions are the first step, but when those are not enough, melatonin or other sleep medications may be considered.
Mood dysregulation, including depression, mood swings, and emotional outbursts that go beyond typical meltdowns.

At NS Psychiatry, we take a careful, measured approach to medication in autistic patients. We start with the lowest possible dose, make changes one at a time, and monitor closely. Dr. Stevens has extensive experience with medication management in neurodivergent children, and every treatment plan is built under his clinical direction. Follow-up visits ($225) can often be conducted by telehealth for your family's convenience.

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child

Parenting a neurodivergent child can be both rewarding and exhausting. You may feel like you are constantly advocating: at school, with family members, at the pediatrician's office. You may worry about your child's future. You may feel isolated because other parents do not quite understand what your daily life looks like.

Here is what we want you to know: you are not alone in this. And getting the right support, for your child and for yourself, makes a real difference.

Learn about your child's specific profile. Autism is a spectrum, and your child's experience is unique. Understanding their sensory preferences, communication style, and triggers helps you create an environment where they feel safe and supported.

Build a team. A good treatment team for a neurodivergent child might include a psychiatrist, a therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech-language pathologist, and a school advocate. At NS Psychiatry, we can be one part of that team, and we coordinate with other providers to keep everyone aligned.

Advocate at school. If your child needs accommodations, pursue them. An IEP or 504 plan can provide the support your child needs to succeed academically and socially. We provide the clinical documentation that schools require to initiate this process.

Take care of yourself. Caregiver burnout is real. Connecting with other parents of neurodivergent children through local support groups, online communities, or family therapy can provide perspective, validation, and practical advice.

If you have concerns about your child's development, social communication, or behavior, we are here to help. Most new patients at NS Psychiatry are seen within 48 hours. You can book online or call us at (561) 781-9400.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Autism

At what age can autism be diagnosed?

Autism can be reliably identified in children as young as 18 months to 2 years old, though many children are not diagnosed until age 4 or later. Girls and children without intellectual disability are especially likely to go undiagnosed until school age or even adolescence. If you are seeing signs that concern you, it is never too early or too late to seek an evaluation.

Is there medication for autism?

There is no medication that treats autism itself. However, medication can be very effective for co-occurring conditions that are common in autistic children, including anxiety, ADHD, irritability, sleep disturbances, and mood dysregulation. At NS Psychiatry, we focus on identifying which symptoms are causing the most difficulty and treating those specifically, so your child can function more comfortably at home and school.

Does NS Psychiatry perform full autism diagnostic evaluations?

We conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations that can identify autism and related conditions. Our providers are experienced in recognizing autism across a range of presentations, including those that are often missed in girls and in children without intellectual disability. For families seeking a comprehensive developmental evaluation with psychoeducational testing (IQ testing, adaptive behavior scales, ADOS-2), we can refer to trusted psychologists in Palm Beach County who specialize in this work.

What is the difference between autism and ADHD?

Autism and ADHD are separate conditions with different core features, but they frequently co-occur. Some studies suggest 30 to 80 percent of autistic children also have ADHD. ADHD primarily affects attention and impulse control. Autism primarily affects social communication and involves restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. Many children have both, which is why a thorough evaluation by a provider experienced with both conditions is important.

My child was diagnosed with autism. Now what?

A diagnosis is the beginning of a path forward, not a dead end. Depending on your child's age and needs, the next steps may include behavioral therapy (such as ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, school accommodations, and, when appropriate, psychiatric medication management for co-occurring symptoms like anxiety, ADHD, or irritability. We help families understand their options and build a plan that makes sense for their child.

How much does an evaluation cost?

The initial psychiatric consultation at NS Psychiatry is $450 for up to 90 minutes. Follow-up visits are $225. Sessions with Dr. Stevens, our medical director, are $950 (initial) and $450 (follow-up). We are a self-pay practice with no insurance paperwork, no prior authorizations, and no surprise bills. We can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Neurodivergent Care in Palm Beach County

Looking for Answers?

Most new patients are seen within 48 hours. Book an evaluation online or call us at (561) 781-9400.

Book an Evaluation