How to Get Your Child Tested for Autism in Massachusetts: Who Diagnoses, Where to Go, and What to Expect

To get your child tested for autism in Massachusetts, start by sharing your questions with your pediatrician, then schedule a diagnostic evaluation with a qualified specialist, such as a child psychologist or developmental pediatrician. Many providers, including ANNA, don't require a referral. Most Massachusetts insurance plans, including MassHealth, cover autism evaluations.

If you've noticed something about how your child communicates, plays, or connects with others, wanting answers is a natural next step. An evaluation isn't about labeling your child. It's about understanding how they experience the world, so you can support them in the ways that fit them best. Here's how the process works.

Step 1: Talk with your pediatrician

Your pediatrician is a good first stop. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child be screened for autism at their 18- and 24-month well-child visits, often with a short parent questionnaire called the M-CHAT-R.

You don't have to wait for a scheduled visit, though. If you have questions at any age, bring them up. Write down what you've noticed beforehand, with examples, so nothing gets lost in a short appointment.

If you'd like a starting point at home, ANNA offers a free M-CHAT screener for toddlers.

Screening vs. evaluation: what's the difference?

These two words get used interchangeably, but they mean different things:

• A screening is a quick check, usually a parent questionnaire, that shows whether a closer look might be helpful. It can't diagnose autism.

• An evaluation is an in-depth assessment by a specialist. It looks at communication, play, social connection, development, and daily life, and it can result in a diagnosis.

A screening result that suggests a closer look is a good reason to schedule an evaluation. A reassuring result doesn't mean you should ignore ongoing questions. You know your child best.

Step 2: Know who can diagnose autism

In Massachusetts, autism can be diagnosed by several kinds of qualified professionals:

• Clinical or developmental psychologists, who specialize in child development and assessment

• Developmental-behavioral pediatricians, doctors with extra training in child development

• Pediatric neuropsychologists, who look closely at thinking, learning, and behavior

• Child neurologists and child psychiatrists, in some cases

Some primary care pediatricians also diagnose autism, but many refer families to a specialist for a full evaluation. What matters most is experience with young children and the use of well-established tools, such as the ADOS-2.

Step 3: Choose where to go

Families in Massachusetts usually choose among three kinds of places:

• Hospital-based developmental centers. Strong expertise, but demand is high. The Massachusetts Medical Society has testified that wait times for diagnostic evaluations often run from six months to over a year.

• Private practices, which vary in wait times and insurance participation.

• Community autism centers like ANNA, where evaluations are conducted by specialist psychologists, often with shorter waits and a direct path to services if they're recommended.

When you call, ask: How long is the wait? Do you take my insurance? Who will evaluate my child, and what are their credentials? What will I receive afterward?

Do I need a referral?

It depends on the provider and your insurance plan. Many evaluation providers, including ANNA, accept families who reach out directly. Some insurance plans, especially HMOs, require a referral from your pediatrician before they'll cover the evaluation. A quick call to your insurer, or to the provider's intake team, will tell you.

What about Early Intervention?

If your child is under 3, you can also contact your local Massachusetts Early Intervention (EI) program. EI supports young children who aren't reaching milestones, at no cost to families, and anyone can make a referral, including parents. EI and an autism evaluation can happen at the same time; you don't have to choose one or wait for the other.

Step 4: Understand what the evaluation involves

Every provider's process is a little different. At ANNA, it follows four steps:

1. Intake conversation. You meet with our team to share your child's history, daily routines, and what led you to reach out.

2. Evaluation day. A specialist psychologist spends time with your child in a calm, child-friendly space, using play-based activities and age-appropriate tools, including the ADOS-2.

3. Report. The psychologist brings together everything they observed and everything you shared into a written report that highlights your child's strengths as well as areas where support may help.

4. Feedback session. You meet with the psychologist to talk through the results, ask questions, and leave with clear recommendations.

Much of the evaluation looks like play to your child. You'll be with them, and you're welcome to bring a favorite snack or comfort item.

What does an autism evaluation cost?

Massachusetts' autism insurance law, ARICA, requires most state-regulated private plans to cover the diagnosis of autism, and MassHealth covers evaluations as well. What you pay depends on your plan's copay, deductible, and coinsurance. For more detail, see our guide: Does Insurance Cover ABA Therapy in Massachusetts?

At ANNA, our team verifies your benefits and handles authorization before the first appointment, so you know what to expect.

Step 5: Plan what comes next

An evaluation should leave you with a clearer picture, not more questions. Depending on the results, recommendations might include ABA therapy, speech or occupational therapy, school supports, or simply a plan to check in later.

If your child receives an autism diagnosis, our free New Diagnosis Guidebook walks you through the first weeks, in English, Spanish, or Brazilian Portuguese. And if ABA is recommended, families can move directly into ANNA's child-led, play-based ABA program, with no need to start over with a new provider.

Autism evaluations at ANNA

ANNA offers autism and developmental evaluations for young children at centers in Wayland, Sudbury, Weston, Woburn, Braintree, Foxborough, and Andover. Our specialist psychologists use the gold-standard ADOS-2 within a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach. We're in-network with most major plans, including MassHealth.

Have questions about an evaluation? Get in touch. No referral or certainty needed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my child tested for autism in Massachusetts? Talk with your pediatrician, then contact an evaluation provider such as a child psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or autism center. Many providers, including ANNA, don't require a referral, though some insurance plans do.

What kind of doctor can diagnose autism? Clinical or developmental psychologists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, pediatric neuropsychologists, and some child neurologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians can diagnose autism.

Can a 2-year-old be tested for autism? Yes. Autism can be reliably identified in toddlers, and the AAP recommends screening at 18 and 24 months. ANNA evaluates children starting at age 1.

How long does an autism evaluation take? It varies by provider. At ANNA, the process includes an intake conversation, an evaluation day, a written report, and a feedback session to review results.

Is autism testing covered by insurance in Massachusetts? In most cases, yes. ARICA requires most state-regulated private plans to cover autism diagnosis, and MassHealth covers evaluations. Your costs depend on your plan.