This is a post for parents and caregivers who have recently been advised to seek out an Autism evaluation for their child. It can understandably be a stressful time for many parents and caregivers to find that their child may need considerably more support or resources than they may have previously anticipated. Yet it can also be one of the most pivotal moments in a child’s life, where we are able to begin correctly identifying their support needs so they can lead a happy life in pursuit of their wants, needs, and goals. 

This series hopes to acknowledge both the stress of the unknown and the joy of understanding, and how we can navigate both to do right by the person or people we are supporting.

This journey can start in a myriad of ways, but perhaps the most common is getting word from a teacher that they believe your child should receive an autism evaluation. If you are concerned about securing an appointment for an evaluation, that is often one of the most straightforward parts! 

If you have health insurance it may be worth contacting your primary care physician or your insurance company to find an appropriate provider. If you do not have insurance then all Medicaid eligible children under age 21 are legally entitled to an evaluation under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. Once an appointment is secured, we can begin to think about how we will handle this process.

Let’s start by acknowledging some feelings that we might experience when we first receive this news. It is important to acknowledge the reality of how we are feeling in the moment and take time to address those feelings while also acknowledging that those feelings are coming from a place of dealing with a great deal of uncertainty all of a sudden. 

Some thoughts that might be going through our heads at a time like this can include:

• What is my child going to need?

• Are there ways I have been hurting my child without me realizing it?

• What is my child’s life going to be like?

• What is my life going to be like?

• Am I prepared for this?

• Are the things I have heard about Autism true?

One reality of this stage of the process is that we do face more uncertainty now than at any other time. One way we can begin to work through those feelings is by reminding ourselves that this process is all about reaching a point of greater certainty so the person or people we are supporting can get the types of support they need to thrive. 

If they receive a diagnosis that is a good thing, because it helps us begin to understand what tools we need to offer support. If they don’t receive a diagnosis that is also a good thing, because the ultimate goal of an evaluation is to learn more and not to achieve a specific outcome. 

The answers that are running around in your mind will be answered in due time if they need to be answered. That might not make the waiting process easy, but it can hopefully offer some degree of reassurance in an uncertain time.

One way we can start to feel a greater sense of certainty is to take a closer look at how an autism evaluation might go. While there might be some minor variance between Autism evaluations, most will begin with a questionnaire that screens whether a more significant evaluation is necessary. 

While a more formal evaluation will be made by a specialist, a screening questionnaire often happens with your pediatrician. If you are interested in what such a questionnaire might look like, this page includes numerous examples.

The evaluation will include multiple tests observed by the specialist to evaluate “how the child plays, behaves and communicates.” Just one example of such a test is the Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder test. It can include a specialist observing your child’s behavior across a variety of activities as just one part of a larger evaluation process. 

Once the evaluation is completed the specialist may discuss results right away or ask to schedule another meeting so they have time to analyze the information they have gathered. Either way, we may find ourselves waiting to find out for much longer than we want to.

However much reassurance we might find in the process, it is no replacement for knowing. It stands to reason then, that sitting in anticipation of the results can be a stressful process. But if there’s one thing an Autism evaluation process can teach us, it’s that it’s never too early to consider our child’s unique needs and how we can meet them where they are in getting the things they need. Working on our own support system for our child can be a way of feeling prepared for any outcome, because we all benefit from being met where we are whether or not we have an official Autism diagnosis from a doctor. When in doubt about the big picture, we can always look to areas where we can create more certainty and reinforce our commitment to supporting our child in the way that is most aligned with their needs and goals.

It is never easy to process a sudden, potentially considerable life change. An Autism diagnosis can change a lot of things, from the way you seek out medical care for your child to the types of support structures that will be most helpful. But for everything on the outside that might be changing, your child is still the same person. They are just getting a chance to show the outside world what they need to thrive and grow. If you have any questions or concerns about a pending evaluation or would like to see us cover this topic more in-depth, then we would love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at hello@autismgrownup.com and let us know what is on your mind.