LEWISBURG, Tenn. — Marshall Medical Center (MMC) Physical Therapy is proud to announce the launch of autism testing services, significantly reducing the wait times and travel burdens for families in southern Middle Tennessee.
Until now, families had to endure a multiple month or year-long waitlist at facilities further away in Nashville, Murfreesboro or other distant cities. The new service, launched at the end of July, offers autism evaluations in the area for both children and adults.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedicated staff at Marshall Medical Center Physical Therapy who have worked tirelessly to bring this essential service to our community,” said Phyllis Brown, CEO of Marshall Medical Center. “Their commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care ensures that families in our region have access to the critical resources they need, right here at home. This new autism testing service is a testament to their hard work and unwavering dedication to our patients.”
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges with social interactions, communication and repetitive behaviors. The spectrum nature of autism means that it manifests differently in everyone, with varying degrees of severity and a diverse range of symptoms. Some common signs include difficulty in making eye contact, delayed language development, strict adherence to routines and unique sensory processing experiences. Autism is generally diagnosed in early childhood, but signs can be apparent at any age.
Danielle Kissane, autism spectrum disorder clinical specialist (ASDCS) at MMC, spearheaded this initiative, having recognized the urgent demand for local autism testing.
“I saw a need for autism testing to be available in our area,” said Kissane. “Beyond offering testing, I can also lead parent classes and work with our local schools to help them build best practices for students with ASD.”
The journey to offering these services began in 2023, involving a detailed process of approvals, form submissions, and 40+ hours of coursework and examinations with PESI Rehab. This follows best practices, guaranteeing that the testing and subsequent support services meet high expectations of care.
The testing protocol includes a developmental screening followed by one of two advanced pathways, depending on the need of the child or adult: The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Review (ADI-R), ideal for adults and parents of non-verbal children, or the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), best suited for verbal children.
“We are committed to supporting our community by offering these essential services locally,” added Kissane. “Our goal is to provide a thorough evaluation and work closely with families and educators to support children with ASD effectively.”
For appointments, families or individuals will need a referral from their physician.
MMC remains dedicated to delivering exceptional care for every patient, and this new autism testing program is a testament to that commitment.
MMC Physical Therapy recently expanded 2,600-square-foot of space dedicated pediatric therapy, which supports occupational, speech and physical therapy programs.
Learn more or schedule an autism evaluation at MauryRegional.com/Autism or call 931.270.3676.