With the increasing demand for autism testing and evaluation services, we are expanding to include this in our range of services. Our new Psychometrician can administer a variety of evaluations that support families in search of answers. These testing services also fulfill insurance company requirements for diagnostic evaluations as it pertains to autism and approving therapies.
So What is a Psychometrician?
Psychometrician? You may be wondering, “What is that?”
Psychometrician – psy·cho·me·tri·cian | \ ˌsī-kə-mə-ˈtri-shən \, as defined by Merriam-Webster is:
1: a person (such as a clinical psychologist) who is skilled in the administration and interpretation of objective psychological tests
2: a psychologist who devises, constructs, and standardizes psychometric tests
Get to know our new Psychometrician
Kristofer Picano MA, TLLP, BCBA joined our team back in August 2018 as an ABA Therapist while pursuing his Master’s Degree. Kris received his Bachelor of Science, majoring in psychology from Rochester College (now known as Rochester University). In July 2019 he received his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the Michigan School of Psychology. Kris’ breadth of education and experience are the perfect fit for expanding our services to include autism testing and evaluations.
HH: Why did you want to work with kids with autism / special needs?
KP: After years of working in related fields I always saw a need for better diagnostic and therapeutic services. Vulnerable populations can easily be taken advantage of, purposefully or even accidentally. As a result, I felt I could take my experiences and resources to create a more effective way to serve these populations. Using data gathered to generate an objective course of action minimizes trial and error and enables the potential for more effective treatment. In addition, being able to implement this to a young population greatly increases the potential for significant gains in the developmental process.
Additionally, I don’t want to overlook the parental figures and the role they take on when they have a child with special needs. The drastic changes in lifestyle, social pressures, anxiety, stress, among other things can greatly strain a relationship and/or household.
“Utilizing my experiences and education to the fullest enables me the privilege to collaborate with all levels of the family system. It provides a space to discuss worries and concerns, minimize anxiety and stress, and foster courage and hope.”
HH: Describe your career background and other experiences you have that are a benefit to the work you do here at Healing Haven.
KP: My background is diverse; however, I believe the breadth of experiences have prepared me for the work I am doing here at Healing Haven. I previously worked at a rehabilitation and treatment center for adults with acquired traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, I spent some time working at Henry Ford Hospital in their emergency psychiatric facility. I assisted in the overall care for individuals with severe mental illnesses. I also volunteered as a neuroscience researcher at the John Dingell Veterans Medical Center in Detroit. My work experience also includes a private practice setting performing neuropsychological testing and assessments with populations of all ages. Clients concerns ranged from developmental and cognitive impairments to ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimer’s, and severe mental illnesses.
HH: What motivates you to come to work every day?
KP: Making a difference. Whether it’s the progress of the child or support I can offer for the family, it all motivates me. Knowing that I have the room and ability here at Healing Haven to create something that can be of such a benefit to all individuals of the family system.
HH: Describe the kind of work you do with clients at Healing Haven.
KP: My work at Healing Haven ranges from discussions with parents and family to actual activities with the children. But primarily I provide tests and assessments for comparative and progress reports, educational placement, intervention guidance, and diagnostics.
HH: What is a favorite memory of working with a client?
KP: It’s hard to pick just one specific memory as a favorite. But I can say that anytime I was with a client and they mastered a new skill was the greatest! Witnesses these accomplishments always gets me so excited for them!
And here are some fun things to know about Kris:
- Favorite food: It’s a tossup between tacos and pizza too tough to pick
- What radio station is on in your car? Or music on your iPod? I listen mostly to podcasts when I drive. I found it makes sitting in traffic a little more bearable than music. But when I do listen to music its mostly country or electronic. Depends what I am doing.
- Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers or Step Brothers
- How do you relax / de-stress outside of work? Exercise, hang out with friends, or I’m rebuilding a motorcycle so that keeps me busy and I enjoy it.
- Coffee, tea or soda? I’ve been on a coffee kick lately, but mostly water.
- Favorite book (either fiction or non-fiction): 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson
Next Steps
So if you are in search of help for your child, wondering if they may be on the autism spectrum. Or maybe you’re on the waiting list for one of Michigan’s 15 Approved Autism Evaluation Centers. The wait can be long… 6-12 months, but you want to start therapy for your child. We can help by providing autism testing and evaluations that complete a Bridge Authorization. Fill out the Contact Us form and we will get back with you on next steps to having your child evaluated.
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