Mosaic’s licensed psychologists provide autism evaluations and diagnosis for children 18 months through 4 years (up to the 5th birthday). It starts with a virtual visit, then an in-person assessment at a Mosaic clinic, followed by a results meeting and a written report.
Not sure yet? Try an online screener. Our M-CHAT-R and CAST screeners take about 5–10 minutes. You don’t need a screener to request an evaluation.
Tell us a little about your child and we’ll reach out to schedule.
Call us at 980-785-1113 and our team will walk you through it.
Evaluations for children 18 months through 4 years · Clinics across North Carolina and Virginia
We are committed to providing families with accurate, compassionate autism diagnosis services that honor each child’s individual journey. Our team of licensed psychologists utilizes the latest evidence-based assessment tools while maintaining a child-centered, family-inclusive approach throughout the entire evaluation process.
A licensed psychologist leads your child’s autism evaluation and makes the diagnosis.
The evaluation starts with a virtual visit with the psychologist, followed by an in-person assessment at a Mosaic clinic. The assessment uses play-based activities and standardized autism testing tools, such as the ADOS-2, chosen to fit your child.
You’ll meet with the psychologist to go over the results, usually within about a week of the in-person assessment. You’ll also receive a written report you can share with your child’s doctor, school or therapy providers.
We accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid. Most plans cover autism diagnostic evaluations, and our team checks your coverage before your appointment so you know what to expect.
We understand that seeking an autism evaluation for your child brings many questions and concerns. Our team has compiled answers to the most common questions families ask about the diagnostic process.
Yes. At Mosaic, a licensed psychologist evaluates your child using play-based activities, standardized autism testing tools and your input as a parent, then explains whether your child meets the criteria for an autism diagnosis.
Autism is diagnosed through a careful evaluation rather than a single medical test. A licensed psychologist decides whether your child meets the criteria in the DSM-5-TR, the manual clinicians use to diagnose autism. The psychologist looks at two areas. The first is social communication, such as eye contact, gestures, words, responding to their name and sharing play with others. The second is restricted or repetitive behaviors, such as repeated movements or words, a strong need for sameness, very focused interests, or unusual reactions to sounds, textures or other sensations. The psychologist combines what you share about your child’s development with their own observation, which can include the ADOS-2, a play-based assessment of communication, social interaction, play and repetitive behaviors. They also consider how much these affect daily life and whether something else, such as a developmental delay, better explains what they see.
We provide comprehensive autism evaluations for children from 18 months through 4 years of age (up to their 5th birthday). Our early intervention focus allows us to specialize in the unique developmental patterns and assessment approaches most effective for toddlers and preschoolers.
If your child is nearing their 5th birthday and you're considering an evaluation, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We can typically accommodate children who begin the evaluation process before turning 5, even if some appointments extend slightly past their birthday. For children who are already 5 or older, we maintain relationships with excellent providers who specialize in school-age evaluations and can provide appropriate referrals.
Our evaluation process is designed to be comfortable and engaging for your child. It starts with a virtual visit with the psychologist, followed by an in-person assessment at a Mosaic clinic. We use a variety of activities including structured play, interactive tasks, and observation in different settings. Your child may participate in activities like puzzles, games, and social interactions while our clinicians observe their communication, behavior, and developmental skills.
Usually within about a week of the in-person assessment. You’ll meet with the psychologist to go over the results and next steps, and you’ll receive a written report.
We accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid. Most plans cover autism diagnostic evaluations, and our team checks your coverage before your appointment.
The best preparation is keeping your child's routine as normal as possible before the appointment. Bring any comfort items your child might need, and let them know they'll be playing games and meeting new people. We offer a variety of appointment times to accommodate your family's needs and your child's schedule.
The ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) is a play-based observation that psychologists often use as one part of an autism evaluation. At Mosaic, it may be one of the tools your child's psychologist uses during the in-person assessment. The psychologist chooses the tools that fit your child, so you don't need to ask for the ADOS-2 separately.
No. You can request an evaluation directly on this page. If your insurance plan requires a referral, our team will let you know.
No. There's no waitlist for evaluations.
A screener is a short questionnaire that shows whether a closer look may help. It can't tell you whether your child has autism. An evaluation is done by a licensed psychologist: a virtual visit, then an in-person assessment. Only an evaluation can lead to a diagnosis.
The months following an autism diagnosis are critical for establishing the foundation of your child’s therapeutic support system. Research consistently shows that early, coordinated intervention leads to the best developmental outcomes, which is why our systematic approach to post-diagnosis planning is so important.
Our multidisciplinary team brings decades of combined experience in autism treatment and family support. We’ve refined our post-diagnosis process to eliminate common barriers families face, reduce wait times for services, and ensure every child receives the evidence-based interventions they need to reach their full potential.
We schedule a comprehensive results meeting to discuss your child’s evaluation findings, explain their specific strengths and challenges, and answer all your questions. Together, we’ll create a clear roadmap for moving forward with confidence.
Our team develops individualized therapy recommendations based on your child’s specific needs, family goals, and lifestyle. We prioritize evidence-based interventions that will have the greatest impact on your child’s development and daily functioning.
Our dedicated benefits coordination team handles the complex insurance process for you, including prior authorizations, coverage verification, and appeals if needed. We work to minimize delays so your child can begin services as quickly as possible.
We regularly assess your child’s progress and adjust treatment plans as they grow and develop new skills. Our data-driven approach ensures interventions remain effective and aligned with your child’s evolving needs.
We provide ongoing parent training and resource connections to help your entire family thrive. You’ll learn strategies to support your child’s development at home and advocate effectively for their needs.
