Getting a diagnosis and early help

Trust what you see. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help. Write down what you notice and when, and share it with your child's doctor.

The CDC's free milestone checklists and app help you track what most children do by each age.

• Screening is a short check at a well-child visit. Doctors are advised to screen all children for development at 9, 18, and 30 months, and for autism at 18 and 24 months.
• Evaluation is a full look by specialists, such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or a team at a university center.
• Wait times for evaluations can be long. Get on more than one list, and start early intervention while you wait.

Every state has a free or low-cost early intervention program under IDEA Part C. You can call them yourself. No doctor referral is needed. They will evaluate your child, and if eligible, make a family plan (IFSP) with services like speech and physical therapy, often at home.

Find your state's early intervention program.

From age 3, the public school district must evaluate children who may need special education, even if they are not in school yet. Write to the district and ask. See IEPs and help at school.

Adults can be evaluated too. A diagnosis can open the door to services, benefits, and self-understanding. University centers and some psychologists evaluate adults. Search for evaluations near you.