Most people start with the pediatrician or doctor, discussing behavioral concerns that seem different or delayed in comparison to same-age peers.  Beyond the referral of a physician, it the person you are concerned about is under the age of 21, the next step may be to the public school system. Free, developmental evaluations are available to any child residing in that school district catchment area through the district’s Childfind.   Although some offices do not serve children under age three, the evaluations are free to all children that the Childfind covers.

A multidisciplinary team (consisting usually of a physical, occupational and speech therapist, a social worker and/or nurse and possibly an autism specialist) will do a variety of assessments on the child and be able to tell whether or not that child looks like it might fall on the autism spectrum.  If the Childfind Team believes the child is showing significant signs of autism, they will recommend that the child be seen by a diagnostician.  ASC can provide you with a list of diagnosticians.  There may be a waiting list to get an evaluation and health insurance systems may not cover the cost of it.  Thus, getting the Childfind evaluation may have to suffice to begin the necessary planning (IFSP, IEP) interventions a child may need to actualize capacities.

Adults may be interested in a self assessment tool that ASC can make available to them.  A list of adult diagnosticians is also on hand at ASC offices.  720-214-0794. Two Metro area and one support group in Co Springs might also provide guidance and comfort to adults suspecting their own or another’s possible autism.  These are groups of adults who meet monthly to share their mutual experiences with autism.