Step 2: How is ASD diagnosed, so I know for sure?

A developmental screening is a short test to see if basic skills—including speech, behavior and movement—are being learned at the right ages. All children should be screened for delays during regular wellness visits at the following ages (additional screenings may be required on a case-by-case basis)⁶:

• 9 months
• 18 months
• 24 or 30 months

You may need to request a screening if you have a concern about your child or if your doctor is not routinely checking for developmental delays. 

If a doctor sees signs of delays during the developmental screening, they may schedule a diagnostic screening. This includes looking at the child’s behavior and development, and might include:

• Parent interviews
• Hearing and vision tests
• Genetic testing
• Neurological testing
• Cognitive testing
• Communication testing
• Other medical testing

Specialists who do these types of screenings include developmental pediatricians, child neurologists and/or child psychologists. These screenings are subject to your medical plan’s deductible and coinsurance. To find this information, visit myuhc.com.

A psychological evaluation can often help confirm a diagnosis of ASD. In addition, it can help guide treatment for therapists, educators and other caregivers.

Psychological evaluations may include the following areas:

• Cognitive testing
• Communication testing
• Adaptive functioning testing
• Academic/learning testing

Psychological evaluations may also help:

• Determine your child’s strengths and areas of opportunity.
• Provide a baseline to measure improvement with therapy.
• Identify any other behavioral or learning challenges.
• Navigate transitions within school, adolescence and adulthood.  

In addition, psychologists may be able to:

• Help manage anxiety or mood disorders such as depression.
• Provide guidance on sleeping and eating problems that coincide with ASD.
• Connect you to social skills groups to help improve communication.
• Deliver psychotherapy that can help adults with relationships and employment.   
• Provide intervention to decrease aggression and self-injury.