If you suspect your child is autistic, the path to a formal evaluation can feel opaque. Here''s the map.
Step 1: Start with your pediatrician
Ask for the M-CHAT-R/F (18–30 months) or a developmental screening. Say clearly: "I''d like a referral for a full autism evaluation." A pediatrician cannot diagnose autism alone in most contexts, but they generate the referral.
Step 2: Choose an evaluator
Options, in rough order of thoroughness:
- Developmental-behavioral pediatrician
- Child psychologist or neuropsychologist (multi-hour testing, detailed report)
- Child psychiatrist
- Multidisciplinary team at a children''s hospital or university clinic
Ask if they use the ADOS-2 and ADI-R — the two gold-standard instruments. A report without either is thinner.
Step 3: Prepare
- Video clips of your child at home
- Daycare/school observations if available
- A written developmental history (milestones, concerns, family history)
- List of specific examples (not just "he doesn''t talk much" but "he uses 3 words, echoes TV, lines up cars for an hour")
Waitlists
Common wait: 6–18 months. To shorten:
- Ask to be on cancellation lists
- Call multiple providers; take the first slot
- Consider telehealth evaluations (accepted for many kids)
- Start early intervention (0–3) or school evaluation (3+) in parallel — you don''t need a medical diagnosis for those
While you wait
Start supports now. Early intervention doesn''t require a diagnosis. Neither does school-based OT/SLP. A diagnosis unlocks insurance-funded ABA/therapies and some specialized programs, but many services don''t need it.