Deciding when to seek an autism evaluation can feel overwhelming. You might wonder if your concerns are valid or if you should wait. At GreenLight ABA, we support families through the evaluation process with the aid of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
Trust Your Instincts
Parents usually spend more time with their child and see development patterns that others might miss. If something feels different about how your child communicates, plays, or interacts, that concern matters.
Research shows parents’ observations are remarkably accurate. Many families report knowing something was different months before receiving a diagnosis. Trusting your instincts and seeking evaluation early provides the best outcomes, even if the evaluation shows no concerns.
Clear Signs That Need Evaluation
Lost Skills They Once Had
Any loss of skills requires immediate evaluation. If your child stopped using words they previously said, no longer turns to their name, or stopped making eye contact, contact your pediatrician right away. Loss of skills always needs a professional assessment.
Rarely Responds to Name
By 12 months, most toddlers consistently turn when called. If your toddler rarely or never turns to their name by this age, especially in quiet settings, schedule an evaluation.
Very Little Eye Contact
If your toddler rarely looks at your face during play, eating, or when you talk to them, discuss this with your pediatrician. While eye contact varies, significantly reduced eye contact during interactions may indicate developmental differences.
Major Communication Delays
Seek evaluation if your child uses fewer than 15 words by 18 months, doesn’t put two words together by 24 months, or speaks unclearly at age three. ABA therapy for autism spectrum disorder addresses various communication challenges effectively.
Limited Interest in People
Toddlers who consistently prefer playing alone, don’t bring items to show you, rarely try to share what they are doing, or seem unaware of other children need evaluation.
No Pretend Play
If your toddler shows no pretend play by 24 months and mainly lines up toys or repeats the same actions, discuss this with professionals.
Repetitive Movements
Frequent hand flapping, body rocking, spinning, lining up toys identically, or opening and closing doors repeatedly may indicate autism. How often and how intensely matters here.
Extreme Upset with Changes
If your toddler has intense meltdowns over minor changes like taking a different route, using a different cup, or adjusting the schedule, an evaluation may be beneficial.
Unusual Reactions to Senses
Covering ears to everyday sounds, extreme distress with certain clothing, excessive touching or mouthing objects, or seeming not to notice pain may indicate sensory processing differences.
Few Gestures
If your toddler doesn’t point, wave, or use other gestures by 16 months, tell your pediatrician.
When Several Concerns Appear Together
Single isolated differences rarely indicate autism. However, when several patterns appear together, evaluation becomes important. If you notice communication delays plus limited social interest, plus repetitive behaviors, schedule an evaluation promptly. Autism affects multiple areas at once. Evaluation remains valuable at any age.
What Happens During Evaluation
Professionals ask detailed questions about your child’s developmental history, current abilities, and specific concerns. They want to learn about communication, social behaviors, play patterns, repetitive behaviors, and sensory responses. Your observations provide critical information.
Evaluators observe your child during structured activities and free play. They watch social responses, communication attempts, play behaviors, and reactions to different situations. Observations may happen in clinical settings and at home through ABA in-home therapy consultations. Evaluators use specific diagnostic tools designed for autism identification. This helps distinguish autism from other developmental differences and identifies specific support needs.
After the Evaluation
If your child receives an autism diagnosis, professionals discuss findings, answer questions, and recommend next steps. They explain your child’s specific profile, strengths, and areas needing support.
Families often experience mixed emotions after diagnosis. Relief at having answers, grief about unexpected paths, and worry about next steps are all normal. Take time to process information and reach out for support.
Applied behavior analysis ABA therapy represents the most researched intervention for autism. ABA therapy services help children develop communication, social skills, self-care abilities, and behavioral regulation. Board Certified Behavior Analysts create individualized programs based on your child’s specific needs and family priorities.
Parent ABA training equips you with strategies to support your child’s learning throughout daily routines. Your active involvement significantly impacts progress and helps skills work across different settings.
If the Evaluation Shows No Autism
Not all developmental concerns indicate autism. Evaluations might identify speech and language disorders, other developmental delays, sensory processing differences, or show that your child is developing typically.
Regardless of findings, the evaluation provides valuable information about your child’s needs and appropriate supports. Even without an autism diagnosis, children benefit from targeted interventions addressing specific challenges.
Moving Forward with Support
At GreenLight ABA, our experienced team provides comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. We partner with families from initial concerns through diagnosis and intervention, creating personalized programs that address each child’s unique profile.
Contact GreenLight ABA to discuss your concerns and learn about our evaluation and ABA therapy services.