Noticing something different in your child's development doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. But it is always okay to ask questions.
Maybe your toddler isn't using as many words as other children their age. Perhaps mealtimes are unusually difficult, your child moves differently than peers, or you've noticed differences in play, interaction, or communication. It's common for parents to wonder, "Should I wait and see, or should I ask someone?"
A good first step is understanding the difference between screening, evaluation, and diagnosis.
A developmental screening is a brief, standardized way to check how a child is progressing across developmental areas. It does not diagnose autism or another condition. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends general developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months and autism specific screening at 18 and 24 months. Screening is also recommended whenever a parent, caregiver, or healthcare professional has a developmental concern.
If a screening identifies a concern, or you continue to have questions, the next step may be a more comprehensive evaluation. Depending on the concern, that might include a developmental or autism evaluation or an evaluation by a speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or another specialist.
Image credit: Handprints Therapies
Different Evaluations Answer Different Questions
An autism evaluation takes a broader look at a child's developmental history, communication, behavior, interaction, and everyday functioning. There isn't one blood test or medical test that diagnoses autism. Clinicians gather information from caregivers, observe the child, and use appropriate assessment tools.
Therapy evaluations are different. A speech language evaluation, for example, can look closely at how a child understands and expresses language and communicates with others. Depending on the child's needs, a speech language pathologist may also evaluate feeding or consider augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
One important point families may not realize is that a child does not need to wait for an autism diagnosis before receiving help for an identified developmental need. Current AAP guidance recommends addressing developmental delays when they are identified rather than postponing support while waiting for an autism evaluation.
What Can Parents and Caregivers Do?
Trust your observations. You know your child well. Bring questions or concerns to your pediatrician even if a screening isn't scheduled.
Ask what kind of evaluation makes sense. The answer may depend on whether your concern involves communication, feeding, movement, daily activities, development, or several areas.
Write down examples. Specific observations from everyday life can help professionals understand what you're seeing.
Remember that an evaluation doesn't automatically mean treatment. Its purpose is to better understand your child's individual strengths and needs and determine whether additional support would be helpful.
Development happens differently for every child. Asking questions isn't labeling your child. It's gathering information so you can make informed decisions about what they need to thrive.
About Handprints Therapies
Handprints Therapies is an interdisciplinary pediatric clinic serving families across the Denver metro area. Our team specializes in supporting children with autism, sensory processing challenges, and developmental delays through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. We partner closely with caregivers to build confidence, emotional regulation, and practical routines that carry over from the clinic to home.
Locations in Lakewood and Greenwood Village.
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