Questions are part of the process.

 If you’ve noticed differences in how your child communicates, plays, or interacts with others—or if your pediatrician has expressed concern—an evaluation can help provide clarity and peace of mind.

No. In fact, the earlier we evaluate, the more we can do. Autism can be reliably identified by age 2, and earlier intervention often leads to better long-term outcomes.

You can contact us directly to schedule, and we will advise you if a referral is needed based on your insurance provider.

Our Early Autism Testing Clinic specializes in children ages 4 and under. For older children through age 18, we also offer comprehensive neuropsychological testing through North Shore Pediatric Therapy.

Depending on the child’s age, our neuropsychological evaluations can address concerns around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, emotional concerns such as anxiety and depression, learning disorders, sleep disorders, and more.  Neuropsychological evaluations can address cognitive ability, academic achievement in reading, mathematics, and written expression, visual-spatial, visual-motor, and graphomotor integration, attention, executive functioning (organization, planning, problem-solving), memory, language functioning, and social/emotional/behavioral functioning.  

Early Intervention is a great start—it can help kids access therapy early in life. But EI doesn’t provide formal diagnoses. If you want to access services like ABA or need documentation for school, you’ll still need a medical diagnosis.

Not necessarily. Schools use their own criteria to decide if a child qualifies for services under the autism category, but they do not provide a clinical diagnosis. You’ll need to see a licensed psychologist or developmental pediatrician for a diagnosis that’s accepted by insurance or outside providers.

No, it doesn’t. While some ABA clinics use tools like the ADOS to screen for autism traits, only certain professionals (like neuropsychologists or developmental pediatricians) are legally and clinically able to diagnose autism.

Usually, no. Insurance companies almost always require a formal diagnosis by a licensed psychologist or physician. The same goes for many private providers and certain school supports.

Not at all. If your child already received school-based or EI support, or went through an ABA intake, that information is incredibly helpful. A formal evaluation simply fills in the rest of the picture and helps you access everything your child may qualify for.

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it. Many families begin with EI and then come to us for a full diagnostic evaluation to help with long-term planning and access to broader services.

 If you’re looking for clarity, next steps, and access to the widest range of support, a formal autism evaluation by a licensed neuropsychologist is the most comprehensive and actionable step.

If you have a child between 18 months – 5 years old with autism concerns, we typically have availability within 2–3 weeks at our testing centers in Evanston, Arlington Heights, Deerfield, and Naperville.

Depending on the complexity of testing needed, we would be able to place your child into a half day of testing or a full day of testing.
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Half days of testing are scheduled about 1-2 months into the future, while full days of testing are scheduled 3-4 months into the future.

Evaluations are in-person at one of our four child-friendly Chicagoland centers, all of which occur inside of our North Shore Pediatric Therapy offices.

In most cases, yes. We’re in-network with many major insurance plans and will check your benefits prior to your visit. However, we strongly recommend communicating with your insurance company directly to ensure coverage, and we can provide you with the billing codes needed to verify the information.

You will bring your child to their appointment and spend the first portion of the appointment discussing your child’s history with one of our Neuropsychologists. Our doctors will review your intake forms and observe your child’s behaviors.

After we learn more about your child, our neuropsychology technicians will administer play-based assessments such as the ADOS-2.

After the assessment, you’ll come back to discuss results and recommendations with your Neuropsychologist.  

That depends on your child’s age and comfort level, but you’ll always be nearby and involved in the process.

We use gold-standard tools like the ADOS-2, along with clinical interviews, developmental history, and behavioral observations—all aligned with DSM-5 criteria.

Our early autism testing appointments are dedicated exclusively to autism concerns. If your child needs a more comprehensive evaluation, we can schedule a more comprehensive testing appointment.

Our neuropsychologists can address concerns related to cognitive ability, academic achievement in reading, mathematics, and written expression, visual-spatial, visual-motor, and graphomotor integration, attention, executive functioning (organization, planning, problem-solving), memory, language functioning, and social/emotional/behavioral functioning.

We’ll meet with you the same day as your evaluation to review results, answer questions, and provide next steps. After your feedback session, we’ll need 3-4 weeks to complete our official neuropsychological report.  

Your feedback appointment will be scheduled 2-3 weeks after your testing appointment. At that time, you will discuss the results of testing with our neuropsychologists. After the feedback meeting, we’ll need about 4-5 weeks to complete our official neuropsychological report.

We’ll walk you through your options—whether it’s ABA therapy, speech therapy, school support, or next steps with your pediatrician. We’re here every step of the way.

Even without a diagnosis, the evaluation can uncover developmental needs and guide helpful support strategies—whether through therapy, home routines, or educational resources.

Yes, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report summarizing your child’s strengths, needs, and clinical recommendations. This can be shared with schools, physicians, or therapists.

Absolutely. Because the Chicago Autism Testing Institute operates within North Shore Pediatric Therapy, you’ll have access to a full range of services in more than 12 Chicagoland locations.