Questions to Ask Before Booking an Autism Evaluation

Why a few questions now save trouble later

An autism evaluation takes time, effort and money, and the report may be read by people you have not met yet. A short conversation before you book helps you choose a provider who fits what you need and avoid finding out later that a report is missing something important.

Most providers offer a call or consultation before booking. Write your questions down and take notes on the answers. The checklist below works for any provider, whether you are an adult seeking answers for yourself or a parent arranging an evaluation for your child.

Who does the evaluation, and under what supervision

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that adults can be referred to a neuropsychologist, psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience with autism. For children, the evaluation team may include developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, speech-language pathologists and others. Ask about the evaluator's experience with autism and with people the age of the person being evaluated.

Also ask who supervises the work and who signs the report. This matters because some organizations ask about it. The U.S. Department of Education notes that a college's documentation may include the credentials of the professional who made the diagnosis.

What the process and report look like

The CDC explains there is no medical test such as a blood test for autism, so clinicians look at developmental history and behavior. A specialist may observe the person, give a structured test, ask questions and use questionnaires. Ask how the evaluation is organized, who else may be asked for information, such as a parent or partner, and roughly when the report will be ready.

Ask what the written report covers. A useful report usually explains the history, what was observed and assessed, whether the findings fit autism, what else was considered and what is recommended. Ask whether there is a conversation to explain the findings and time for your questions.

If the evaluation is offered by video, ask which states the provider can see people in and where the person being evaluated needs to be during appointments. The answer matters if you travel or study away from home.

What the organization asking for it needs

If a school, college, employer or agency asked for the evaluation, ask them before you book what they need, who must sign it and whether there is a deadline or form. Share that with the provider.

The Department of Education explains that colleges may set reasonable standards for documentation, and that some require more than others. For public schools, federal special education rules say the school must consider a private evaluation a parent shares, if it meets the school's criteria, but the school still makes its own decisions. No provider can promise that an organization will accept a report.

Cost in writing and the Good Faith Estimate

Ask for the total cost in writing, what it includes and whether there are extra charges for anything. Ask whether the provider bills insurance or whether it is private-pay, and whether a sliding scale is available.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explains that if you are not using health insurance, a provider usually must give you a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges if you request one or schedule at least 3 business days ahead. You can ask before you schedule, and the provider must give it to you within 3 business days. Keep it, because you need the estimate if you later dispute a bill.

What happens if the findings are not autism

No one can predict the result before an evaluation is done. NIMH notes that in adults some signs of autism overlap with conditions such as anxiety or ADHD. Ask how the provider considers other explanations, whether the report will describe them, and what kinds of next steps they usually suggest either way.

How Locascio Wellness answers these questions

• Who and supervision: our evaluation pages show who carries out the adult autism evaluation and the child and teen autism evaluation. Reports are co-signed by a supervising licensed psychologist.
• Process and report: an intake appointment, then one or two sessions, then the findings explained in plain language with time for questions, and a written report. At the moment, the report is usually ready about a month after the first evaluation appointment.
• Video and location: evaluations are carried out entirely by secure video and are offered only to people physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona. A parent or guardian arranges and takes part for anyone under 18.
• What others need: in our experience, organizations have not raised video as a concern, but we cannot promise acceptance. Ask them first and tell us.
• Cost: evaluations are private-pay, not billed to insurance, with a sliding scale available. The cost is given in writing before anything is scheduled, and you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate. See what evaluations cost.
• Next steps either way: therapists on our team offer anxiety therapy and child therapy as separate services. To start, use the evaluation request form or book a free 15-minute consultation. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911; Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.