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Chapter one · Wondering
It starts with something you noticed
Words arriving slowly, eye contact that comes and goes, big reactions to small changes. Most parents first notice signs between 18 months and 3 years, long before any formal diagnosis.
None of this means you did anything wrong. It means it's worth finding out.
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Chapter two · Screening
Ten minutes, a clear signal
Most families start with the M-CHAT, a validated, parent-guided questionnaire that takes about ten minutes.
It isn't a diagnosis. It tells us whether a full evaluation is worth doing.
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Chapter three · Evaluation
Play-based, in person
If the screening points toward autism, the next step is the ADOS-2, which many clinicians consider the gold standard for diagnosis.
It's built on direct, play-based observation of your child, not just a questionnaire, so it happens in person with a trained clinician, usually within 48 hours for children 18 months to 4 years.
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Chapter four · Your plan
You leave with answers and a plan
- A clear diagnosis, so you can stop guessing
- A written report you can share with your child's doctors and school
- Next steps: therapy, support, or both, scheduled around your family's week
See treatment & support →