Our Commitment
is that everyone has access to the knowledge and care needed to make meaningful progress, live authentically, and seamlessly navigate accommodations in order to thrive.
Our Why
We founded Pivot Assessment Services in 2025, inspired by the idea of a turning point—a moment when something shifts, and a new direction becomes possible. The name Pivot reflects exactly that: a place where movement happens, where insight leads to change.
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Our goal is to provide you with the clarity and guidance needed to move forward—whether that means early intervention, new strategies at home, or support at school. We want every individual we serve to live more authentically and to be surrounded by an environment where real, meaningful progress can take place - because every child deserves to be seen, understood, and supported as early as possible.
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While our core specialty is early identification of autism spectrum disorder, we also provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for ADHD, learning differences, and school-based support services like IEP and 504 plan assessments. We’re here for families navigating all kinds of neurodiversity—from toddlers to teens and beyond.
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Our mission is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based assessments in a way that’s approachable, personal, and empowering. We take the time to truly get to know your child/adolescent—their strengths, their challenges, and the unique ways they experience the world. This isn’t just about receiving a diagnosis; it’s about creating a path toward authenticity, growth, and meaningful progress.
You shouldn’t have to wait months or feel lost in the process. At Pivot, we partner with you—listening, guiding, and supporting—so you can make informed decisions and feel confident in what comes next.
Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish, LCP, BCBA-D, NCSP
Founder & Psychologist
Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D), and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) with more than 20 years of experience working with autistic individuals and those with developmental and learning differences across home, school, clinic, and center-based settings. She has dedicated her career to supporting young children and their families through evidence-based assessment, early intervention, and collaborative care.
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She earned her PhD in School Psychology from Illinois State University, completing her doctoral internship at Livingston County Special Services Unit and her postdoctoral training at Trinity Services Autism and Family Resource Center. She most recently served as the founding clinical leader and Chief Clinical Systems Officer for Stride Autism Centers, where she led a multi-state team providing diagnostic services as well as center-based ABA services focused on school readiness and meaningful outcomes for children ages 2 to 6.
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Her academic career spans more than a decade at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she began teaching in 2012. She served in roles including Associate Professor, Chicago Campus Chair and University Chair for the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department. She currently is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department and continues to serve on thesis and dissertation committees.
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Dr. Whittington-Barnish actively engages in the field through local and national presentations, supervision, and professional leadership. She previously served on the Board of the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis (IL-ABA) and as an advisor for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.