Autism Evaluation and Diagnosis

Learning that your child may be on the autism spectrum can bring a wave of questions, emotions, and uncertainty. At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, we meet families exactly where they are—with warmth, clarity, and respect. Our autism evaluations are designed to understand your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and ways of experiencing the world. A diagnosis, when it is the right fit, is never a label that defines your child. It is a tool that opens doors to the right supports, therapies, and understanding so your child can grow with confidence and joy. We are here to walk alongside you every step of the way!

💡What is an Autism Evaluation?

An autism evaluation is a comprehensive, family-centered process that looks closely at how your child communicates, interacts socially, plays, and responds to the world around them. It is not a single test or a pass/fail event. Instead, it gathers information from multiple sources to create a full picture of your child’s development.The evaluation typically includes:

A detailed conversation with you about your child’s early development, current behaviors, strengths, and the concerns that brought you here
Direct observation and interaction with your child through play-based and structured activities
Review of any previous records, school feedback, or medical history
Standardized tools and clinical observations that help identify patterns consistent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

The process is paced with your child’s comfort in mind. We want both you and your child to feel supported and respected throughout.

🧠 How do we determine if Your Child has Autism?

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder follows established clinical guidelines (such as those in the DSM-5) and is based on the presence of persistent differences in social communication and social interaction, along with restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These differences must be present early in development and impact daily functioning.Our clinicians carefully integrate:

Your observations as the expert on your child
Structured observations of your child’s social communication, play, and behavior
Developmental history
Information from teachers or other caregivers when available
Results from standardized autism-specific assessment tools

A diagnosis is only given when the full clinical picture clearly supports it. Equally important, we identify your child’s individual strengths and any co-occurring needs (such as language differences, sensory processing challenges, anxiety, or ADHD traits) so recommendations are truly personalized.

🌟 Who performs the Autism Diagnosis?

Autism diagnoses at our clinic are conducted by qualified clinicians with specialized training and experience in pediatric neurodevelopmental assessment. This may include licensed psychologists or other qualified professionals who are experienced in evaluating autism and related conditions.Because we are a multidisciplinary center, the evaluating clinician often collaborates with or draws on input from our speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and social workers. This team perspective helps ensure the evaluation captures the whole child—not just isolated behaviors.

💕 How Our Multidisciplinary Team Can Help?

One of the greatest advantages of receiving an autism evaluation at CPTWC is that assessment and support live under the same roof. When a diagnosis is made—or even when it is not—the findings connect directly to real help.Our team can:

Immediately begin or refine individualized therapy plans in speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA, and social work
Address related needs such as communication, sensory processing, motor skills, emotional regulation, and daily living skills
Provide parent coaching and practical strategies you can use at home
Coordinate care so your family receives consistent guidance rather than navigating multiple disconnected providers

You do not have to start over or search for the next step alone. We stay with your family as partners.

✏️ Future planning for school and therapy

An accurate evaluation report becomes a powerful advocacy tool. It can support:

Requests for school evaluations, IEPs, or 504 plans
Access to insurance-covered therapies, including ABA
Clear recommendations for classroom accommodations, communication supports, and social skill development
Long-term planning as your child grows—from early intervention through school-age years and beyond

We help families understand the report, prepare for school meetings, and prioritize the supports that will make the biggest difference right now. Our goal is not only to answer the question “Is it autism?” but to give you a hopeful, practical roadmap for the months and years ahead.

📞 Ready to Learn More? Let’s Talk

If you have concerns about your child’s social communication, play, behavior, or development, we invite you to reach out. Whether you are seeking clarity, a formal diagnosis, or simply guidance on next steps, our team is ready to listen with compassion and expertise. Call us at 773-687-9241 or email us at info@cptwc.com to speak with our team!

If you want to learn more about testing & diagnostic evaluations, you can visit our Neuropsychological Testing page. You are not alone on this journey. Contact Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center today to learn more about our autism evaluation process and how we can support your family.