With You On Your Care Journey

An autism evaluation is a targeted assessment of a child’s social communication skills along with opportunities to observe and discuss restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. This evaluation is important because it helps to identify (or rule out) the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which opens the door to access services and supports that are not available without the diagnosis.

At Caravel Counseling & Diagnostics, we use a team-based approach to assessment. Depending on insurance requirements, a doctor may complete an initial interview with a parent or caregiver and then conduct a structured observation of the child. In other instances, a master’s-level clinician (referred to as a Diagnostic Clinical Therapist) may conduct the interview and administer psychological tests to the child, with the doctor interpreting the results and providing feedback.

At Caravel, we use a comprehensive, four-step diagnostic process to assess whether your child shows signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This process is designed to be thorough, compassionate, and tailored to your child’s unique needs.

1. Diagnostic Interview: A trained clinician conducts a detailed interview with you, the parent or caregiver. This conversation covers your child’s developmental history, medical background, and any current behaviors or concerns. It also includes questions about your child’s social, communication, and play skills. If your insurance requires preauthorization for testing, this interview may be conducted separately from the evaluation.
2. Testing & Assessment: The clinician will observe and interact with your child to gather additional information. This may involve structured observations and psychological testing, which are scored and interpreted alongside the information from the interview and any completed questionnaires. If your insurance mandates specific tests as part of the evaluation, we will coordinate with you to ensure these are administered.
3. Discussion of Results and Recommendations: After completing the assessment, the clinician provides feedback to you. This includes a clear diagnosis and specific, medically necessary recommendations based on your child’s individual needs. The discussion is interactive, allowing you to ask questions and understand the next steps.
4. Diagnostic Documentation: The final step is the preparation of a comprehensive report that summarizes all the information discussed during the feedback session. This report serves as a guide for implementing vital interventions and achieving the most positive outcomes for your child.

There is no specific age at which a child can receive an autism diagnosis, and we encourage parents to receive an evaluation as early as possible when they start to be concerned about their child’s development. We can start seeing signs of social communication deficits as early as 12 months of age, with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior emerging between 12 and 36 months of age. Caravel serves children between the ages of 12 months and 11 years.

Included in the evaluation process is an initial interview, which can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Following the interview, depending on the evaluation format, the assessment can take 30 minutes to three hours. Finally, there is a parent/caregiver feedback appointment, which can take, depending on the amount of information to discuss, 30 to 60 minutes.

If your child receives a telehealth evaluation, depending on his or her age and level of communication skills, you can expect to support the doctor’s observations by engaging in a number of structured activities with your child. Older children with more developed communication skills will interact directly with the doctor. If your child receives an in-person evaluation, (again) depending on his or her age and level of communication skills, you will be asked to sit in the room with the technician as the tests are administered to your child. If your child is older and has age-appropriate language skills, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room.

It’s common for parents to wonder if their child’s behavior or development warrants an evaluation. Signs can include delays in communication, social interaction, or repetitive behaviors, but every child develops differently.

Caravel’s online child development screener is a simple, confidential first step you can take from home. It helps you:

• Identify areas of concern in your child’s development
• Receive personalized feedback and guidance on whether a full diagnostic evaluation may be recommended
• Understand next steps and connect with Caravel’s care team if additional support is needed

Starting with the screener doesn’t diagnose your child—it gives you clarity and direction, so you can make informed decisions about seeking further evaluation or support.

At Caravel, we emphasize early intervention because the sooner a child receives support, the better their developmental outcomes. Early intervention can:

• Support critical skill development in communication, social interaction, and daily living.
• Reduce challenging behaviors before they become entrenched.
• Increase independence and school readiness, helping children thrive in classroom and social settings.
• Maximize long-term outcomes, as research shows children who start therapy earlier often achieve greater gains.

Caravel’s child development screener is designed to help families take that first step by identifying potential developmental concerns and guiding next steps toward evaluation and therapy. Early detection opens the door to timely, individualized support.