Autism Testing Resources
Have you noticed differences in how your child communicates, plays, learns, or connects with others? If you are wondering whether your child may be on the autism spectrum, we are here to help! BlueSprig helps families access autism diagnostic evaluations conducted by independent providers specializing in autism assessment.
Early Signs of Autism
Each child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unique. Some of the first signs of autism that parents notice in their children are difficulties with social interactions, repetitive actions, or sensory sensitivities. Your child may show some of these signs, but not all. Or your child may display different signs that you have noticed. Autism testing, also known as an autism diagnostic evaluation, can help you find out if your child has ASD and learn more about their unique needs and strengths.
These signs may include:
- Not responding to their name by 12 months old
- Delayed speech or language development
- "Stimming” through repetitive behaviors or vocal sounds
- Restricted interests or fixation on certain objects
- Strong sensory sensitivities
- Aversions to certain forms of interaction
- Difficulty interacting with others or making eye contact
- Referral by a pediatrician, specialist, therapist, or early intervention provider
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
The first years of a child’s life is a time of rapid growth, learning, and development. During these early years, children are building important communication, social, adaptive, and daily living skills that help them connect with others and navigate the world around them as they grow.
An early autism diagnosis can help families better understand their child’s needs and strengths during this important developmental window. With compassionate, personalized therapy and support, children with ASD can continue building meaningful skills that help them participate more confidently at home, in school, and in their communities, while families gain guidance and support for the road ahead.
Autism Diagnostic Resources for Children Ages 18 Months - 6 Years Old
An autism diagnosis can be an important step toward accessing care. A medical diagnosis is often needed to qualify for the benefits and services, including ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other supports.
BlueSprig can help your family connect with independent licensed clinicians who provide virtual and in-person autism evaluations for children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old. During the evaluation, clinicians use their professional judgment to determine whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate. An autism evaluation may not lead to an autism diagnosis.
Diagnostic assessments for autism may be covered by your health insurance plan. Coverage will depend on your specific plan, benefits, medical-necessity criteria, and authorization requirements. After you submit your information, the BlueSprig team can help verify your benefits and explain next steps.
How the Autism Evaluation Process Works
1. Registration & Intake
After you fill out and submit the Autism Diagnostic Evaluation form, a BlueSprig Care Coordinator will connect with you to learn more about your concerns, discuss your child’s developmental history, review insurance benefits and funding options, and determine whether an evaluation may be a good fit for your family. If appropriate, we can help share your information with our independent diagnostic providers for scheduling and next steps.
2. Before the Autism Evaluation
If your family chooses to move forward with an evaluation, the evaluating clinician will want to know more about your child’s developmental history. A caregiver questionnaire will be part of the required intake paperwork that helps the clinician understand your child’s background and your concerns. If virtual evaluations are a good fit for your family, you may also upload short videos of your child to a secure caregiver portal. These videos help clinicians observe your child’s communication, play skills, social engagement, and behavior during activities.
3. During the Comprehensive Evaluation
A licensed clinician will conduct a comprehensive autism evaluation that may include: interviews with caregivers, observations of your child’s behaviors, standardized assessment measures, review of caregiver-submitted videos (if applicable), or developmental history review. In select locations, additional information from EarliPoint® may be incorporated into the virtual evaluation process when available. EarliPoint is an FDA-cleared eye-tracking technology designed to provide additional information that may support the diagnostic assessment.
4. Results & Recommendations
After the evaluation process, you will receive a diagnostic report and individualized recommendations based on the clinician’s findings. Recommendations may include additional evaluations, specific therapies such as ABA or speech, educational supports, community resources, or other services appropriate for your child’s needs.
5. Exploring Next Steps
Following the evaluation, you can review recommendations and determine which services are the best fit for their child and family.
Why Families Choose Virtual Evaluations
Timely Services
Virtual evaluations help reduce barriers to care, allowing families to access autism assessments without long wait times.
Accessible Care
With a virtual evaluation, families don’t have to worry about traveling to access care during their journey to getting an autism diagnosis for their child.
Experienced Clinicians
Evaluations are conducted by doctoral-level psychologists with extensive experience in autism assessment.
Natural Observation
Virtual evaluations allow clinicians to observe children in familiar environments and gain insight into everyday behaviors and interactions.
Caregiver Involvement
Parents and caregivers play an active role throughout the evaluation process, providing valuable insight into their child’s development and everyday experiences.
Research-Supported Assessment
Evaluations incorporate caregiver interviews, behavioral observations, standardized assessment measures, and home video review to support clinical decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism Testing
Diagnostic evaluations are performed by independent licensed clinicians who exercise their own professional judgment. Diagnostic assessments may be covered by your health insurance plan. Coverage depends on your specific plan, benefits, medical-necessity criteria, and payor authorization requirements. Our team can help verify your benefits and explain next steps after you submit your information.
Ready to Get Started?
Fill out our simple, 1-step form to request an autism diagnostic evaluation and get connected with a BlueSprig Care Coordinator to learn more about the process.
