For Parents

A Conversation with Parents

Through the years I have helped thousands of families through the process of evaluating and diagnosing their children with autism spectrum disorders. My experience led me to develop a conversation-based assessment and a visual framework, which help guide parents through the evaluation and diagnosis process. This website and my book are intended to help you make sense out of your child’s differences in development, navigate the evaluation process and come to terms with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Relating a label to your unique child

The words “autism,” “autistic,” “Asperger’s Syndrome,” and “Pervasive Developmental Disorder” are labels that can be frightening, confusing and alarming for parents. Even when you have a strong suspicion of an autism spectrum diagnosis, hearing those words to describe your child is a shocking and unsettling experience.

In my practice I’ve helped families come to terms with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. I help them with questions such as:

How does this label relate to the complex and unique child who is part of my family?

How do I make sense of my child’s differences in development?

Please note that in her office practice Dr. Monteiro provides diagnostic autism evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. She also provides therapy services for individuals and families, specializing in treating families who have a member on the autism spectrum. To schedule an appointment call 214-363-7004 or send an email request through the Contact page on this website.


Next page: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Descriptive Triangle