Paula C. Tzikas, PhD
- I am a psychologist licensed in New York and Nebraska. I received a BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University, with a minor in Child and Family Studies. I continued my education at Fordham University, receiving an MA and PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology.
- For nearly 25 years, I have worked almost exclusively with the early childhood population. I specialize in the cognitive and behavioral assessment of toddlers and preschoolers and in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in young children. I have been administering the current gold standard assessment, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), for more than 20 years and have evaluated and diagnosed thousands of children aged 5 and under.
- I offer a warm and welcoming testing environment, explain evaluation results with clarity and compassion, and connect families with quality local resources. I strive to maintain low wait times for assessment and quick report turnaround, giving families answers as quickly as possible and helping children to access needed intervention services without delay.
- I am also the parent of a child with special needs and a Board Certified Advocate in Special Education. I know firsthand that the special education process is not always easy or straightforward. I am dedicated to helping other families navigate the special education landscape, including understanding their child’s strengths and weaknesses, and helping them to ensure that their child is receiving the services, accommodations, and supports available to help them succeed.