Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA) is committed to helping children with Autism and their families by providing quality education, therapeutic services, and screening clinics. With the increasing number of children diagnosed with Autism in recent years, timely screening and evaluation services are critical to ensure children receive the care and support they need to thrive. WVCA has been evaluating children for Autism from Luzerne and surrounding communities since 2007. We are proud to say that to date, over 400 children have been evaluated.
Our Autism Screening Clinics are hosted locally at WVCA’s campus (located in Forty Fort, PA), and caring, qualified staff guide families through each step of the process. Families complete an initial evaluation, and if needed, they are referred for an appointment with our Autism Screening Clinic. Our team then completes an evaluation using the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), and a neurodevelopmental exam is completed by our prescribing physicians. The evaluation is completed in a facility that has a one-way mirror, which eliminates the need for several individuals in the exam room. Families receive immediate feedback about the evaluation and are then provided with suggestions for further services. Families and referring agencies receive copies of the report as well as the child’s primary care physician. These clinics have assisted hundreds of local families, helping them obtain timely evaluations and follow-up services for their children.
For our Autism Clinics, WVCA partners with accomplished experts in this field:
- Michael E. Kelley, Ph.D., BCBA-D. Dr. Kelley is currently a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan, Department of Psychiatry. His research has appeared in 50 peer-reviewed publications. He is a Licensed Psychologist and has worked at multiple Universities, specializing in Autism and Behavioral Sciences.
- Mary A. Sooy, Psy.D. Dr. Sooy is currently a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with The Children’s Service Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She has a wealth of experience in pediatric services, serving adolescents and those diagnosed with Autism and related conditions. Dr. Sooy has a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The Children’s Service Center (CSC) has been a proud partner agency with WVCA for many years. CSC is deeply committed to the wellness of young people in our community. Their services are designed to meet the individualized needs of children, adolescents, and their families.
If you are interested in learning more about our Autism Screening Clinic, please contact Danielle Runo at 570-714-1246 or email druno@wvcakids.org.
Meet The Team
