Autism Diagnosis in Colorado: Steps, Resources, and What Comes Next

For most families, the path to an autism diagnosis in Colorado is long and emotionally draining. By the time you have a formal diagnosis in hand, you may have spent months navigating pediatricians, specialists, school evaluations, and a lot of waiting.

This guide walks you through the diagnostic process, the resources available in Colorado, and the steps to take once your child has a diagnosis.

Step 1: Talk to Your Pediatrician

The first step for most families is raising concerns with their child's doctor. Pediatricians screen for developmental delays at 9, 18, and 24-month well-child visits, and again at age 4. There is a simple autism-specific checklist used at 18 and 24 months.

If screening suggests developmental concerns, your pediatrician should refer you to a specialist for a full diagnostic evaluation. If they do not, you can ask for one directly.

Tip: Bring short videos of the behaviors that concern you. In-office behavior does not always reflect everyday behavior, and video can be invaluable.

Step 2: Get a Full Diagnostic Evaluation

A formal autism diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified specialist. In Colorado, this is typically conducted by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, a child psychologist or neuropsychologist, or a child psychiatrist.

The evaluation typically includes standardized observation tools, developmental history, cognitive assessment, and an assessment of daily living and adaptive skills.

Wait times are long. Depending on the specialist and location, evaluations may take months to schedule. Getting on multiple waitlists simultaneously is a reasonable strategy.

Colorado Diagnostic Resources

Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora has a comprehensive diagnostic program. Expect significant waits for appointments.

University of Colorado clinics have specialty programs with autism diagnostic capabilities.

Private psychologists and neuropsychologists often have shorter wait times than hospital systems. You can find them through your insurance directory.

School evaluations are free and conducted by school psychologists, but they are educational evaluations, not medical diagnoses. A school determination of eligibility for special education is not the same as a clinical autism diagnosis, and you may need both.

Step 3: Understand the Report

After the evaluation, you will receive a written report. Read it carefully. The report should explain the diagnostic conclusion, what assessments were used, the results, and recommendations for services.

Ask the evaluating clinician to walk you through the findings if anything is unclear. This report will be used to access services like ABA therapy, speech therapy, and school-based supports.

Step 4: Share the Diagnosis

Once you have a diagnosis, you will typically share it with your child's school to request or update an IEP, your insurance company to authorize covered services, ABA therapy providers, and other treating providers like speech or occupational therapists.

Step 5: Access Services

With a diagnosis in hand, the most common next steps are: contact ABA therapy providers to start the intake process, request an IEP meeting with your child's school if they are school-age, call your insurance company to understand your autism benefits, and connect with a local parent support network.

Colorado Family Resources

Autism Society of Colorado offers resources, support groups, and advocacy help throughout the state.

The Arc of Colorado supports individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Colorado Department of Human Services coordinates support programs for people with developmental disabilities.

Hannah's Gift can help you navigate the steps from diagnosis to therapy. We work with families at all stages, and our team knows the Colorado landscape well.