You can request an autism evaluation directly — no pediatrician referral is required. For children under 3, contact your state's Early Intervention program; for children 3 and older, contact your local school district for a free evaluation under IDEA. Private evaluations through a developmental pediatrician or neuropsychologist typically take 4–8 hours and cost $2,000–$5,000 without insurance, but many insurers cover them as diagnostic services.
How Do I Get My Child Evaluated for Autism? You do not need to wait for your pediatrician to suggest it. You do not need a specialist referral to start. And if your child is under 3, you can contact the evaluation program directly today. As of 2025, the median age of autism diagnosis in the United States was 47 months, close to a child's fourth birthday CDC ADDM Network, MMWR Vol. 74, No. ss7402a1, retrieved 2026-06-21, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm. Children who start serv
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