autism diagnostic clinic
specialized testing and diagnosis for children who may have autism
Dayton Children’s autism diagnostic clinic provides early evaluation and diagnosis for young children who may show signs of autism, helping families find answers and next steps.
If you think your child may have autism, you want answers as soon as possible. Dayton Children’s has a team to evaluate for children who may have autism. Patients specifically referred for concerns for autism are asked to complete a questionnaire with birth, family information, description of concerns and developmental milestones. Based on parent and referring provider feedback, we may schedule the patient in the autism diagnostic clinic. For an autism assessment, a developmental pediatrician and a child psychologist may see the patient together or individually. The psychologist does appropriate testing depending on the child’s symptoms and the developmental pediatrician will assess any medical, behavioral or developmental symptoms. We strive to provide a diagnosis, autism or otherwise, at the time the patient is seen and to recommend services or further referral.
The autism diagnostic clinic only sees new patients until the fifth birthday. Patients who are referred for autism between ages four and five may be seen by one of the developmental pediatrics providers and if autism is a concern the patient may be referred for additional testing.
autism diagnostic clinic services
The autism diagnostic clinic provides evaluations for children ages 18 months through their 4th birthday. During these evaluations, our team spends a great deal of time observing and getting to know your child in order to make an accurate assessment.
getting started
The first step is for your child’s primary care physician to refer your child to the autism diagnostic clinic. After we receive this referral, our team will ask you to complete an online questionnaire so that we can better understand your child’s needs.
Once we receive your completed questionnaire, we will call you to set up an appointment. Our goal is to schedule that appointment as quickly as possible and see your child within 10 days of receiving your completed questionnaire.
Depending on what happens during the first appointment, we may schedule a comprehensive team evaluation for your child, which involves more intensive tests to confirm a diagnosis of autism. Appointments in the autism diagnostic clinic can last over an hour so please bring snacks and drinks that your child may want.
comprehensive team evaluation
This evaluation is a combined appointment with a developmental pediatrician and a psychologist. The goal is to confirm a diagnosis of autism and decide what therapies and services would be most helpful for your child. During this two-hour appointment, our team will observe your child at play and do activities that evaluate academic and cognitive abilities. They will ask you about your impressions and concerns as well.
At the end of this appointment, the physicians are almost always able to make a definitive diagnosis. In rare situations, they may not be able to confirm whether a child has autism—this is more likely when the child is very young. In that case, they may ask you to bring your child back in three to six months for another evaluation.
news and blogs
Stay up-to-date with the latest insights from Dayton Children’s Hospital. We’re always working to share helpful, real-world content for families navigating care.
patient stories
Real families, real results. Whether it’s a soccer player getting back on the field after an ACL tear or a toddler taking their first steps after clubfoot treatment, our patients and families inspire us every day. These stories offer hope, guidance and reassurance that we are here for your child every step of the way.
Explore how Dayton Children’s care has gone above and beyond for kids just like yours.
resources
education and support for families dealing with autism
Below are some resources that may be helpful to you and your family as you seek information and support. Be sure to ask us for a handout with a more comprehensive list, including many helpful books.
Applied behavioral analysis providers
Autism Society of America–Ohio Chapter
Camp Emanuel in Centerville, Ohio
sensory-friendly lab experience
At Dayton Children’s, our laboratory and child life teams have proudly partnered to become the first of their kind to earn the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from theInternational Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This means we’ve taken extra steps to ensure our care is welcoming and supportive for children with autism and sensory activities.
To help make every visit more comfortable, our staff uses a variety of distraction tools and sensory-friendly equipment designed to ease anxiety and create a more positive experience.
soaring towards anxiety reduction (STAR) program
Undergoing an MRI can sometimes be something that can make kids anxious. To help kids that are anxious about their MRI, or simply worried that they will have a hard time staying still, sometimes sedation (being put to sleep) is required.
At Dayton Children’s we try to avoid using sedation as having sedation always comes with risks.
To help our patients complete their MRI without the need for sedation, our medical imaging and child life departments collaborated to create the STAR(soaring towards anxiety reduction) program.
The STAR program gives patients the option to try their MRI scan without the use of sedation, when possible, to help reduce the risks of having sedation. This program is geared to patients that are developmentally 4 years of age and older.
sensory-friendly surgery experience
Surgery is a stressful time for any child and parent, and can be especially stressful for children with autism or high anxiety. That is why we have created unique pre-operative sensory rooms designed specifically for these children.
FAQS – autism diagnostic services
Parents have many questions when they are concerned that their child may have autism. Below are answers to some common questions we hear at the autism diagnostic clinic. Please feel free to contact us with other questions — we are here to help.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, our team will recommend therapies and programs based on your child’s specific needs. We may refer you to providers at Dayton Children’s. We also refer families to organizations in Dayton and beyond that provide support for families who have a child with autism.
After your child’s evaluation, our social worker will call you to make sure you are getting the resources and assistance you need. We will want to see your child again periodically to see how he or she is responding to the treatment plan and to recommend additional therapy or testing if needed. Our goal is to make sure your child is receiving the care needed in the months and years to come.
There is no medication to treat autism. However, many children with autism have behavior problems that are related to their diagnosis, such as anxiety and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Our physicians can prescribe these medications and make adjustments as needed.
If our team believes your child may have a condition other than autism, they may refer you for more testing or treatment. Those services may be based at Dayton Children’s, or they may be offered through other community organizations.
Our goal is to collaborate with your child’s primary care physician to ensure good care coordination. After we complete our evaluation, we will send your child’s primary care physician a comprehensive report about our findings. Your child’s primary care physician will continue to provide care for your child’s general health needs, while our team coordinates specialty care for your child’s developmental needs. If your child takes medication for behavioral issues related to autism, our team will manage that—unless your child’s primary care physician prefers to do it.
locations
The autism diagnostic clinic team sees patients at the following Dayton Children’s locations:
Dayton Children’s Pediatrics- Valley Street
Main campus
Connor Child Health Pavilion
get started with developmental pediatrics
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, talk with your primary care provider about a referral or call us at 937-641-3000 to learn more. Our team is here to provide answers, connect you with resources, and support your family every step of the way.
