Does your Burlington-area child show signs of autism? An evaluation provides answers and opens access to evidence-based support. If you’re considering autism assessment, this guide explains what evaluation involves, what signs warrant testing, how North Carolina Medicaid covers diagnosis, and what comes next.
Autism manifests differently in each child. Some show clear signs early; others develop differently in subtle ways. Consider evaluation if you’ve noticed:
Speech and Language Development
Social Communication
Repetitive Behaviors and Interests
Development
Autism involves a cluster of persistent differences affecting your child’s overall functioning.
An autism evaluation is comprehensive and structured. Here’s what to expect:
Your child’s pediatrician typically starts the process. They can screen and refer you to a specialist. You can also contact a developmental pediatrician or clinical psychologist directly.
The evaluation involves multiple components over 2-4 appointments:
History Interview: You’ll discuss your child’s birth, milestones, health history, family background, and specific behaviors and concerns. Detailed history helps the evaluator understand your child completely.
Behavioral Observation: The clinician watches your child during play, conversation, and tasks. They observe communication, social interaction, behavior, sensory responses, and how your child handles changes.
Formal Diagnostic Tools: The evaluation includes standardized assessments like the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule). These measure autism-related behaviors and are designed to be child-friendly.
Cognitive and Adaptive Testing: Depending on your child, testing may include thinking skills, language, daily living abilities, or motor development.
Additional Input: Teachers, therapists, videos, or others in your child’s life provide context.
The evaluation takes 4-8 hours of testing across appointments. Results and report arrive 2-4 weeks after testing.
The evaluator meets with you to discuss findings and diagnosis. The report includes:
An autism diagnosis means your child’s brain processes information and social interaction differently. This affects communication, sensory experiences, and preferences for routine and focused interests.
Autism isn’t a defect. Many autistic people have remarkable strengths in visual thinking, persistence, attention to detail, and honest communication. Understanding your child’s autism helps you support their actual needs and capabilities.
Early diagnosis (before age 3) opens access to North Carolina’s Part C early intervention program, providing free or low-cost speech, occupational, and developmental services during critical development.
School-age diagnosis provides special education services and accommodations.
Later diagnosis still matters. Understanding your child’s autism guides education and support choices. Evidence-based interventions like ABA help at any age.
Evaluation costs money. Here’s how to navigate coverage:
If your family qualifies for NC Medicaid by income, evaluation is covered. Medicaid covers assessment, testing, and report writing.
To access:
1. Confirm eligibility
2. Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a Medicaid-accepting evaluator
3. Call with your Medicaid number
4. They’ll verify coverage and schedule (you may have a small copay)
Note: Some plans require prior authorization. Confirm with your plan.
Most plans cover developmental or psychological evaluations. Call your insurance to ask about coverage, referrals, in-network providers, and costs.
If uninsured, many evaluators offer sliding-scale fees. Don’t let cost prevent evaluation; ask about options.
A diagnosis opens access to support:
Early Intervention (under 3)
Contact the NC Division of Public Health about Part C services for free or low-cost therapy.
School Services (age 3+)
Your child qualifies for special education. You’ll develop an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) with the school.
ABA Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis is the most researched intervention for autism. It helps children develop communication, social, self-care, and academic skills. In-home ABA therapy through providers like Children’s ABA North Carolina brings therapy into your family’s environment.
Speech and Occupational Therapy
Most children benefit from these therapies alongside ABA.
Parent Coaching
Parents learning autism-informed strategies accelerates progress. Many programs include parent training.
Getting Started:
Community Resources:
In-home ABA therapy helps your child develop skills in familiar settings. Combined with school services and family support, this approach supports development.
Your diagnosis is the beginning of understanding and targeted support.
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While evaluation processes are similar statewide, Burlington families may want to know about local resources. Your pediatrician’s office is a good starting point—they know local providers and can recommend evaluators they trust. Schools in your district can also suggest evaluators they work with regularly.
If you’d like to explore options beyond your immediate area, we maintain a comprehensive guide to autism diagnosis locations across North Carolina to help families find the right fit.
Regardless of your location in North Carolina, the next steps after diagnosis are similar: connect with school services, explore therapy options, and build your support team. Many families in Burlington combine local school services with specialized providers from across the region.
Evidence-based ABA therapy delivered in your home brings expert support into your family’s daily environment, making it easier to practice new skills and build on your child’s strengths.
Some families also explore options in nearby Winston-Salem or consult with multiple evaluators before choosing their provider.
Once you’ve scheduled an evaluation, preparation helps make the process smoother. Gather any records you have: developmental checkup notes from pediatrician visits, videos of your child at home or school, information from teachers or daycare providers, and any notes about developmental milestones or concerns.
Write down specific examples of the behaviors or communication patterns that prompted the referral. Note when you first noticed each pattern and how they show up across different settings (home, school, extended family). This information helps the evaluator understand the full picture.
Ask your pediatrician or the evaluator’s office if there are any pre-visit questionnaires or forms to complete. Many evaluators send these ahead of time.
Think about logistics: How will you get to appointments? Do you need interpreter services, accessible parking, or other accommodations? Call ahead to arrange any supports you need.
On evaluation days, try to keep your child’s schedule as normal as possible before appointments when you can. A tired or hungry child is harder to assess fairly. Plan something low-key afterward so there’s no additional stress on evaluation day.
Once you’ve scheduled evaluation, preparation makes the appointment more productive. Gather any records your pediatrician has from checkups. Write down specific examples of the communication, social, or behavior patterns that prompted concern. Include when each pattern started and whether it shows up at home, school, or both.
Most evaluators send pre-visit questionnaires about your child’s early development, health history, and current functioning. Complete these honestly and thoroughly. They help the evaluator understand your child’s background and prepare relevant assessment tools.
On evaluation day, keep your child’s routine as normal as possible before the appointment. A well-rested, fed child shows their typical abilities most clearly. Plan something calm afterward rather than additional appointments or activities.
Evaluators understand children sometimes behave differently in unfamiliar settings. They’re trained to observe across situations and draw conclusions based on multiple observations and parent input. Their experience with many children helps them recognize patterns accurately.
After evaluation, you’ll receive a detailed report. Ask about anything you don’t understand. The report will be your key tool when working with schools, insurance, and therapy providers, so it’s worth fully understanding it.
If you’ve noticed signs of autism in your child, evaluation provides clarity and opens doors to support. Burlington families have access to skilled evaluators and evidence-based therapies.
Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician. They can discuss your concerns and provide referrals. After diagnosis, Children’s ABA North Carolina is ready to support your family with tailored in-home therapy.