The Short Answer
Getting an autism diagnosis involves: (1) raising concerns with your pediatrician and requesting a developmental screening, (2) getting a referral to a specialist for a full diagnostic evaluation, (3) the evaluation itself — typically 3–6 hours with a licensed psychologist or developmental pediatrician, and (4) receiving a written report. The whole process typically takes 1–6 months depending on wait times in your area.
Step 1: Start with Your Pediatrician
The first call you should make is to your child's pediatrician. At well-child visits, pediatricians are supposed to screen for autism at 18 and 24 months using standardized tools like the M-CHAT-R/F. But if you have concerns between visits, don't wait — call and ask for an appointment specifically to discuss developmental concerns.
Come prepared. Write down specific behaviors you've noticed, when they started, and how often they occur. The more concrete and specific you can be, the more useful it is for the pediatrician. Examples like "She doesn't respond to her name when I call her from across the room" or "He lines up his toys the same way every time and gets very upset if they're moved" are far more actionable than "I think something seems off."
If your pediatrician dismisses your concerns
Some pediatricians tell parents to "wait and see." If your gut tells you something is off, you are entitled to a second opinion and a referral. You can also contact your state's early intervention program (for children under 3) or your local school district (for children 3 and older) directly — you don't need a doctor's referral for either.
Step 2: Get a Referral (or Self-Refer) to a Specialist
A formal autism diagnosis must come from a licensed professional — typically a developmental pediatrician, child psychiatrist, pediatric neurologist, or licensed psychologist. Your pediatrician can refer you to one of these specialists. If wait times in your area are long (which they often are), you can also self-refer or contact specialists directly.
In parallel with pursuing a specialist evaluation, parents of children under 3 should contact their state's Early Intervention program. This program provides free developmental services — including speech therapy and occupational therapy — while you wait for a formal diagnosis. You do not need an autism diagnosis to qualify; a developmental delay is enough.
For children aged 3 and older, contact your local school district and request a free evaluation through special education services. Again, you don't need a diagnosis first — the district is legally required to evaluate any child suspected of having a disability that affects learning.
Step 3: The Diagnostic Evaluation
The formal autism evaluation is the most comprehensive step. It typically takes 3–6 hours over one or two appointments and involves multiple components. Here's what to expect:
- Parent interview: The evaluator will ask detailed questions about your child's developmental history, including pregnancy and birth history, when they reached milestones (first words, walking, etc.), current behaviors, and family history.
- Standardized assessments: The gold standard tool is the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), a structured observation session where the clinician interacts with your child in specific ways and scores their responses. The ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) is a companion interview often used alongside it.
- Cognitive and language testing: Many evaluations also include IQ testing and speech-language assessments to understand your child's full developmental profile.
- Behavioral observations: The evaluator observes how your child interacts, plays, communicates, and responds throughout the entire appointment.
Once your child is diagnosed, the next step is finding an ABA provider. Match Care ABA connects families in NY, NJ, NC, and CO with qualified providers at no cost.
Get Matched NowStep 4: Receiving the Report and Diagnosis
After the evaluation, the clinician will write a detailed report summarizing their findings, the tests administered, scores, observations, and their diagnostic conclusion. This report typically takes 2–4 weeks to receive. It is one of the most important documents you'll have — keep multiple copies.
The report will specify whether your child meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and many reports also include a severity level (Level 1, 2, or 3) and an IQ or adaptive functioning score. It will also typically include recommendations for services.
A note on the diagnosis: Receiving a diagnosis can bring a wide range of emotions — relief, grief, confusion, and hope all at once. All of these are normal. The diagnosis doesn't change who your child is — it opens doors to services, support, and a community of families who understand what you're going through.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
This is where it gets frustrating for many families. Wait times for diagnostic evaluations vary enormously by location. In some areas, you can get an appointment within a few weeks. In others — particularly for developmental pediatricians at major children's hospitals — wait times can stretch to 12–18 months.
While you wait, here's what you can do in parallel:
- Contact Early Intervention (under age 3) or your school district (age 3+) for free services that don't require a diagnosis
- Ask your pediatrician for a speech therapy referral — insurance typically covers this with a speech delay diagnosis alone
- Keep a log of behaviors, videos, and developmental concerns to share with the evaluator
- Look into private evaluation options — some psychologists offer faster appointments than hospital-based programs
What Happens After the Diagnosis
Once your child has a formal autism diagnosis, several things become available that weren't before:
- Insurance coverage for ABA therapy: All 50 states mandate insurance coverage for autism treatment, including ABA. The diagnosis is the key that unlocks this coverage.
- School-based services: Your child becomes eligible for an IEP (Individualized Education Program) with specialized instruction and related services.
- Medicaid waiver programs: Depending on your income and state, your child may qualify for additional waiver programs that cover therapy, respite care, and support services.
- Community resources: Many autism organizations offer support groups, family workshops, and social programs for children and their parents.
The first concrete step most families take after diagnosis is starting the process of finding an ABA provider. If you're in New York, New Jersey, or North Carolina, Match Care ABA can help you skip the cold-calling and connect you with a provider who has current availability and accepts your insurance.
