Autism evaluation in Richmond, VA
Getting an autism evaluation in Richmond starts with your child's pediatrician, then a specialist team. Here is where Richmond families go, what happens, and what to do while you wait.
For a child autism evaluation in Richmond, start with your pediatrician, who can screen and refer you to a developmental specialist such as the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Toddlers under three can also be evaluated through Infant & Toddler Connection without a doctor's referral.
- Pediatricians screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month checkups. Ask anytime you're worried.
- A full evaluation is done by a developmental pediatrician, psychologist or a team.
- Under three? Call your local Infant & Toddler Connection now. You don't need a diagnosis to get early help.
- In-Home ABA Richmond doesn't diagnose. We can help you plan the next steps.
When to ask for an autism evaluation
You can ask at any age, as soon as you're worried. Autism can be diagnosed as young as 18 months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening at 18 and 24 months.
“Standardized screening for ASD at 18 and 24 months of age with ongoing developmental surveillance continues to be recommended in primary care (although it may be performed in other settings), because ASD is common, can be diagnosed as young as 18 months of age, and has evidenced-based interventions that may improve function.”
Across the US, many children are diagnosed later than that. The CDC's 2022 data found the median age of earliest known autism diagnosis was 47 months, almost four years old, in the communities it tracks. The same report estimated that 1 in 31 eight-year-olds had autism.
Source: CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, April 2025 (2022 data, 16 US sites; Virginia isn't one of the sites).
Where to get an autism evaluation in Richmond
| Where | Who it's for | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| Your child's pediatrician | Every child: screening and referral | Ask at the next visit or call for a sooner one |
| Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Division of Developmental Pediatrics | Children with possible autism, ADHD, developmental delay and other concerns | Appointments (804) 828-2467; ask whether you need a referral |
| Infant & Toddler Connection (your city or county) | Children under three | Call directly, no doctor referral needed. Offices are on our early intervention page |
| Your school division (Child Find) | Children who may need special education, including preschoolers | Ask your school division's special education office for a Child Find evaluation |
| Licensed psychologists in private practice | Children and teens | Check that they diagnose autism in young children, their wait time, and that they take your insurance |
Commonwealth Autism, a Richmond nonprofit at 9221 Forest Hill Ave, (804) 355-0300, has run diagnostic programs in the past. Call to ask what it offers now.
“Families come here looking for what path to take, and our goal is to provide guidance and get them connected to resources in the community.”
A school evaluation decides whether your child qualifies for special education. It's useful, but insurance companies usually want a medical diagnosis from a physician or psychologist before they pay for ABA.
What happens at an autism evaluation
Evaluations differ, but most include:
- A parent interview. Your child's development, behavior and family history.
- Watching and playing. A clinician plays with your child and watches how they communicate and interact. Many use a standard play-based assessment.
- Questionnaires. For you, and sometimes for a teacher or daycare.
- Other checks. Hearing, language, thinking skills and medical questions as needed.
- A feedback meeting and a written report. The diagnosis, if there's one, and recommendations.
Ask for the written report. You'll need it for insurance, for ABA and for school.
What to bring to the evaluation
- Your insurance card
- Notes on what worries you, with examples
- Short videos of the behaviors you see at home
- Reports from daycare, preschool or therapists
- Your child's comfort item and snacks
- Any earlier test results
While you wait for an evaluation
Waits for specialist evaluations can be long. You don't have to wait to start helping your child.
- If your child is under three, call Infant & Toddler Connection now. Speech, occupational therapy and service coordination don't need an autism diagnosis.
- Ask to be put on a cancellation list.
- Ask your pediatrician whether a psychologist in private practice could see your child sooner.
- Call us. We can explain what ABA will need and help you get the paperwork ready.
After the diagnosis: next steps for ABA
If your child is diagnosed with autism and ABA is recommended, ask the diagnosing clinician for a written order or prescription for ABA. For private insurance in Virginia, the law says that order must come from a licensed physician or licensed psychologist who is independent of the ABA provider.
Then start in-home ABA: we check your insurance, assess your child at home and write the plan. The Autism Society of Central Virginia, in Glen Allen, also has a "newly diagnosed" guide and family programs at ascv.org.
Questions about autism evaluations in Richmond
How much does an autism evaluation cost?
Virginia's autism insurance law requires many private plans to cover autism diagnosis, and Virginia Medicaid covers medically necessary evaluations for children. Ask the evaluator about your costs before the visit. Infant & Toddler Connection evaluations for under-threes are available to eligible families regardless of ability to pay.
How long is an autism evaluation?
Often a few hours, sometimes over more than one visit, plus a feedback meeting. Ask the clinic how they schedule it.
Can a school diagnose autism?
A school can find that a child qualifies for special education under the autism category. That's an educational decision, not a medical diagnosis, and insurance usually needs the medical one for ABA.
Is it speech delay or autism?
Only an evaluation can tell. Many autistic children have speech delays, and many children with speech delays aren't autistic. Either way, early help with communication is worth starting.
Sources read 16 October 2026: AAP clinical report (Pediatrics, 2020); CDC MMWR 74(2), 2025; VCU Department of Pediatrics; DBHDS Infant & Toddler Connection page; Code of Virginia § 38.2-3418.17.