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River Hills Community Health Center offering autism evaluations

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 23:46 GMT by ABC Kcrg 9
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River Hills Community Health Center Expands Services to Include Autism Evaluations

Omaha, Neb.— In a move that promises to fill a long‑standing gap in local neurodevelopmental care, River Hills Community Health Center (RHCC) announced today that it will begin offering comprehensive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluations for children and adolescents in the coming months. The new program, slated to launch in early September 2025, is part of the center’s broader strategy to provide holistic, community‑based health services that address both physical and mental health needs.

Why the Shift Matters

Autism is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States, affecting roughly 1 in 44 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet many families in the Omaha metropolitan area still face significant barriers to early diagnosis—long wait times, limited specialized providers, and high out‑of‑pocket costs.

“Early diagnosis is key,” says Dr. Samantha Ortiz, RHCC’s newly hired pediatric neuropsychologist. “The sooner a child receives an accurate assessment and appropriate interventions, the better their long‑term outcomes in terms of social functioning, education, and overall quality of life.”

With the RHCC’s expanded offerings, families can now obtain an initial developmental screening and a full diagnostic evaluation under one roof, without having to travel to a tertiary care center or wait for months for an appointment.

What the Evaluation Process Looks Like

The RHCC evaluation protocol follows evidence‑based guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association. Each assessment lasts approximately three to four hours and includes:

1. Clinical Interview – Parents and caregivers provide developmental history and family medical background.
2. Standardized Questionnaires – Tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS‑2) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS‑2) gauge social communication and repetitive behaviors.
3. Cognitive and Language Testing – The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI‑IV) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC‑V) are administered, along with language assessments.
4. Behavioral Observation – The child is observed in a play‑based setting to evaluate social interaction and executive functioning.
5. Physical and Neurological Examination – Conducted by the center’s pediatrician to rule out other conditions.

Following the evaluation, the team collaborates to produce a comprehensive report that includes a diagnostic conclusion, recommended services, and a developmental plan. Parents receive a personalized briefing with resources for early intervention programs, local support groups, and educational accommodations.

Who Is Eligible?

RHCC is offering the autism evaluations at a sliding‑scale fee structure to ensure affordability. The center will accept most private insurance plans, including Medicaid, and will provide a full set of paperwork for claims. Families without insurance can qualify for a reduced rate based on income, with a maximum discount of 50% for households below the federal poverty line.

“We’ve designed the program to be inclusive,” says RHCC’s Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Kevin Hays. “We want to serve families across the socioeconomic spectrum so that a diagnosis—good or bad—doesn’t become a financial hurdle.”

A New Team Member and a Long‑Standing Mission

The appointment of Dr. Ortiz marks the first addition to RHCC’s mental health roster in more than five years. She brings over a decade of experience in pediatric neurodevelopmental assessment and has previously served as a consultant for the Omaha Public Schools’ Early Intervention Program.

“River Hills has always been committed to community health,” says Dr. Hays. “We started as a primary care clinic in 1978, and over the years we expanded to cover behavioral health, chronic disease management, and now this critical neurodevelopmental service. The goal is simple: to keep families healthy, whole, and connected.”

Partnerships and Resources

To bolster the new service, RHCC has partnered with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Omaha Public Schools. DHHS has granted a $200,000 matching grant that will subsidize the first two years of evaluation services. Meanwhile, the school district has committed to sharing data with the RHCC team—subject to parents’ consent—so that educational plans can be promptly aligned with a child’s diagnosis.

In addition to the evaluation, RHCC will host a quarterly workshop series for parents, featuring topics such as “Understanding Your Child’s Diagnosis,” “Navigating the IDEA System,” and “Building Support Networks.” These workshops will be available both in person and via live streaming to accommodate families who live in rural parts of the county.

Community Response

The announcement has already sparked interest from parents and clinicians alike. “I’ve been waiting for a local autism evaluation for years,” says Lily Thompson, mother of a 4‑year‑old boy who shows early signs of sensory processing challenges. “It’s a relief to know we won’t have to drive to Lincoln for a specialist.”

Dr. Maria Lopez, a child psychologist at the nearby University of Nebraska Medical Center, applauded the initiative. “River Hills is filling a critical need,” she says. “When local providers take on the responsibility of early detection, we can intervene earlier and with more targeted support, which is a win for the entire ecosystem of care.”

Looking Ahead

While the September launch date remains tentative, RHCC is already preparing its staff, training modules, and outreach plan. The center will begin a pilot phase in the next few weeks, offering evaluations on a first‑come, first‑served basis. As data from the pilot accumulates, RHCC intends to refine its processes and explore expansion to additional services, such as behavioral therapy and occupational integration.

“We’re not just offering a test,” says Dr. Ortiz. “We’re providing a pathway—one that connects families to evidence‑based care, supports, and, ultimately, better life trajectories for children with autism.”

For more information, families can visit the RHCC website (www.riverhillshealth.org) or call the center’s main line at (402) 555‑0123. The center’s Facebook page and newsletter will also carry updates as the program rolls out.

About the Author

Jordan Mitchell is a research journalist covering health and community affairs in the Omaha region. He has reported on a variety of topics, from public health policy to local nonprofit initiatives, and is a frequent contributor to the Omaha News Daily.