How to Get an Autism Diagnosis in Pennsylvania

Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you're looking for how to get an autism diagnosis in Pennsylvania, you have access to two of the country's premier children's health systems — CHOP in Philadelphia and UPMC Children's in Pittsburgh — along with a statewide Early Intervention network and Medicaid waiver system through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Pennsylvania is also notable for having a dedicated Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), one of the few autism-specific adult Medicaid programs in the country.

How to Get an Autism Diagnosis in Pennsylvania: Your First Steps

Start with your child's pediatrician. Bring specific, written observations — missed milestones, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviors, speech delays — and ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician or licensed psychologist for a comprehensive autism evaluation.

At the same time, contact Pennsylvania Early Intervention (EI) if your child is under age 3. PA EI evaluations are free and do not require a prior autism diagnosis — developmental delay qualifies. Contact your county's Early Intervention Program (each county has a designated lead agency) or call the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) at 1-800-692-7288. Services must be offered within 30 days of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) being signed.

For children ages 3 and older, contact your local school district. Districts must evaluate children suspected of having disabilities at no cost within 60 calendar days of a written request.

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Choosing an Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has two major metropolitan health systems that are among the best in the country, plus strong regional programs across the state.

Philadelphia / Southeast Pennsylvania

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — Center for Autism Research (Philadelphia): Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country; CHOP's autism program is world-class. Offers comprehensive evaluations, research participation, and a full spectrum of clinical services. Expect 12–18 month waits for new diagnostic appointments.
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital / Nemours Children's Health (Philadelphia): Strong developmental-behavioral pediatrics; 9–14 month waits; good Medicaid access.
• Temple University Health System (Philadelphia): Serves North Philadelphia and surrounding communities; Medicaid-friendly; 6–12 month waits.
• Geisinger (multiple PA locations): Large integrated health system serving Central and Northeast PA; developmental-behavioral pediatrics programs with statewide reach.

Pittsburgh / Western Pennsylvania

• UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: Top-ranked children's hospital; strong developmental-behavioral pediatrics and autism program. Expect 10–16 month waits for diagnostic evaluations.
• West Penn Hospital / Allegheny Health Network (Pittsburgh): Strong neurodevelopmental program; 6–12 month waits; good insurance access.
• University of Pittsburgh / WPIC (Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic): Research-connected; strong for older children and adults seeking diagnosis.

Central Pennsylvania

• Penn State Children's Hospital (Hershey): Key resource for Central PA families; developmental-behavioral program with 6–12 month waits.
• Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital (Danville): Another strong Geisinger campus for Central PA.

Private Practice Psychologists PA has a robust network of licensed psychologists, especially in the Philadelphia suburbs (Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester counties) and the Pittsburgh suburbs. Typical waits are 2–4 months and private practitioners often move faster than hospital programs. Verify use of ADOS-2 and DSM-5 criteria.

Getting on multiple lists at once — CHOP or UPMC, a private psychologist, and the school district — is the fastest path.

Pennsylvania-Specific Programs and Rights (Apply Immediately)

Early Intervention — Ages 0–3 Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children under 3 with developmental delays. No autism diagnosis is required. Contact your county's EI lead agency or call 1-800-692-7288. A service coordinator helps develop the IFSP and arrange services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA.

School District Evaluation — Ages 3–21 Pennsylvania school districts must evaluate children suspected of having a disability within 60 calendar days of a written evaluation request, at no cost. If eligible, an IEP is developed. You have the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at district expense if you disagree with the school's evaluation results.

Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) — All Ages Pennsylvania's ODP within the Department of Human Services funds Medicaid waiver services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Key programs include:

• Consolidated Waiver: Primarily for adults with developmental disabilities needing residential or extensive community supports. Includes residential habilitation, supported employment, day programs, and respite care.
• Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver: For individuals living at home with family who need supports but not residential placement; flexible self-direction options available.
• Community Living Waiver: For adults transitioning from institutional settings to community living.
• Adult Autism Waiver (AAW): Pennsylvania's unique autism-specific Medicaid waiver for adults (age 21+) diagnosed with autism who do not have an intellectual disability. This is rare nationally — most states' waivers require a co-occurring intellectual disability. The AAW covers supported employment, life skills support, and behavioral support. Apply through your county MH/IDD program or call 1-866-539-7689.

To access ODP services, contact your county Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities (MH/IDD) office or call the ODP helpline. Waitlists for the Consolidated Waiver can be long — apply early.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) — Age 14+ Pennsylvania's OVR helps autistic teens and adults prepare for and find employment. Services include job coaching, education funding, assistive technology, and career planning. Apply through the OVR website or visit a local OVR office.

Pennsylvania Autism Insurance Mandate Pennsylvania's autism insurance mandate (Act 62 of 2008) requires state-regulated health insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including Applied Behavior Analysis, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The ABA coverage applies to individuals through age 21, with a benefit of up to $36,000 per year. Self-funded employer plans (ERISA plans) may not be subject to state law — check your plan documents. Note: some PA plans may offer broader coverage than the statutory minimum.

Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT) ASERT is Pennsylvania's statewide autism resource network, funded by the PA Bureau of Autism Services. ASERT provides information, training, and referrals across six regions of the state. Their website and helpline are excellent starting points for any family new to navigating Pennsylvania's autism service system.

What to Expect During an Autism Evaluation in Pennsylvania

A comprehensive evaluation typically includes:

• Parent/caregiver interview covering developmental history, family history, and current concerns
• Standardized cognitive testing (e.g., WISC-V for school-age, Bayley-4 for toddlers)
• Adaptive behavior assessment (e.g., Vineland-3)
• Autism-specific instruments: ADOS-2 and/or ADI-R
• Direct observation in structured and unstructured settings
• A written report with DSM-5 diagnostic conclusions, support-level designation, and service recommendations (typically 2–6 weeks after testing)

Once you have the report, bring it to your county MH/IDD office for ODP waiver eligibility, your school district's special education team, your insurance company, and any therapy providers you're pursuing.

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