FAMILY LAW
Autism expert witness for family law cases, providing evaluations, reports, and testimony on parenting plans, school placement, and treatment history.
When a time-sharing case involves a child with autism
When time sharing, visitation, or parenting capacity disputes involve a child with autism or developmental disabilities, the outcome depends on more than legal arguments – it depends on the court understanding the science.
Evaluations, reports, and testimony
I provide expert evaluation, evidence-based reports, and testimony that translates behavioral needs into practical parenting plan recommendations. From structured transition protocols and communication requirements between households to behavioral support strategies that must be consistent across both homes, I help attorneys and judges make decisions that are grounded in behavioral science and centered on the child.
School placement and record review
My work in family law extends beyond parenting plans. I conduct school placement evaluations to assess whether a child’s current educational setting is appropriate given their behavioral and developmental profile, and provide independent analysis when parents and schools – or parents and each other – disagree about where a child should be educated.
I also perform comprehensive record reviews of existing treatment histories, therapy notes, behavioral intervention plans, and clinical documentation to evaluate whether a child has received appropriate care, whether treatment has been consistent across households, and whether gaps in service have caused measurable harm.
Collaborative family law
I’m also trained in the collaborative family law process, which means my work isn’t limited to litigation. In cases where parents and their attorneys want to resolve parenting disputes outside the courtroom, I can serve as a neutral child specialist or consulting expert on the collaborative team. For families with a child on the autism spectrum, the collaborative model often produces a more workable parenting plan than litigation does – it allows the structure to be built around the child’s actual behavioral and developmental needs, rather than around what each side can argue in front of a judge.
Family law matters I handle
- Time Sharing & Divorce: Parenting plans for children with autism, co-parent communication protocols, transition schedules
- Guardianship: Autism-informed capacity consultation, supported decision-making alternatives
- Adoption: Disclosure obligations, adoption dissolution cases, special needs adoption support
- Child Welfare: Distinguishing autism behaviors from abuse/neglect indicators, parent capacity when child has autism
- Collaborative Practice: Neutral child specialist and consulting expert services for families resolving parenting disputes outside of court
Frequently asked questions
When should a family law attorney bring in an autism expert?
As early as possible and before a parenting plan is drafted or a time-sharing schedule is proposed. If the child has an autism diagnosis, a suspected diagnosis, or significant behavioral needs, a behavior analyst can tell you what the child actually requires before the two sides lock into positions. It is much harder to fix a plan after it is entered than to build it right the first time.
What does a neutral autism expert do in a time-sharing case?
When I am appointed by agreed order or by the court, I evaluate the child’s needs independently of either parent. That means reviewing records, interviewing each parent separately, observing or assessing the child, completing standardized measures and always conducting a functional behavior assessment. The result is a written report with specific, enforceable parenting plan recommendations that the court and both attorneys can rely on.
Can you be retained by one side rather than as a neutral?
Yes. I serve as a consulting or testifying expert for one party when appropriate. In that role I can review the other side’s evaluation, help you understand what the clinical records do and do not show, prepare cross-examination questions on behavioral issues and offer my own opinions where the evidence supports them.
What is in a time-sharing evaluation report?
A description of the child’s developmental and behavioral profile, what the records show about treatment history and consistency between households, findings from the parent interviews and standardized tools, the functional behavior assessment and recommendations written as plan language: transition protocols, communication requirements between households, consistency rules for behavior supports and what should happen when a behavior plan is not followed.
Does Florida’s equal time-sharing presumption apply to a child with autism?
The presumption is rebuttable and the child’s needs are how it is rebutted. A 50/50 schedule is not automatically wrong for an autistic child, but frequent transitions, inconsistent routines, or a parent who cannot implement the behavior plan can make it harmful. My role is to give the court behavioral evidence, not opinions about which parent is better, so the judge can decide whether equal time serves this child.
How long does an evaluation take?
A full evaluation with parent interviews and a child assessment usually takes four to six weeks from receiving complete records, depending on scheduling. A records-only review can often be completed within seven business days of receiving the file. I will tell you at the outset if a court date makes a timeline unrealistic.
What does it cost?
I bill hourly in six-minute increments, with a retainer collected at engagement. Depositions and testimony are billed in full-hour blocks. Records reviews typically run eight to ten hours; full evaluations take longer. I provide a written fee schedule before any work begins and in neutral appointments the fee is usually split between the parties as the order directs.
Do you testify and do you travel?
Yes to both. I testify at deposition, hearing and trial, in person or by video where the court allows. I am based in South Florida, appear regularly in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade matters and accept cases throughout Florida and nationally.
Can you work outside of litigation?
Yes. I am trained in the collaborative family law process and can serve as the neutral child specialist on a collaborative team. For many families with an autistic child, building the plan around the child’s real needs outside of court produces a more workable result than litigation.
Need Expert Insight for an Autism-Related Case?
When legal decisions involve autism or developmental disabilities, expert behavioral analysis can make the difference. Get clear, evidence-based insights that help courts understand the needs of the child.