This guide explains how to get an autism diagnosis in California for a child, step by step. Start with your child’s doctor and, at the same time, contact your local regional center: California’s 21 regional centers evaluate children for eligibility free of charge. You can also ask the school district for an assessment or pay for a private evaluation.
Quick answer
How to get an autism diagnosis in California: ask your pediatrician for a referral to an autism specialist through your health plan or Medi-Cal, and apply to your regional center at the same time. Under age 3, ask for Early Start. Schools assess for special education, which is not a medical diagnosis. Private evaluations are another option; ask about cost first.
Last checked: November 10, 2026. This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Who can diagnose autism in California?
A licensed clinician with autism training makes the diagnosis. The CDC’s guide to diagnosing autism names developmental pediatricians and child psychologists. Child psychiatrists and pediatric neurologists also diagnose autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics says primary care pediatricians can diagnose autism too, although many refer to a specialist.
There is no blood test or scan for autism. The clinician looks at your child’s developmental history, watches how your child plays and communicates, and often uses standardized tools. A screening checklist, such as the one done at the 18- and 24-month checkups, flags a concern. It is not a diagnosis.
What counts for services
- Health plans and Medi-Cal usually want a diagnosis from a qualified clinician before covering treatment.
- Regional centers make their own eligibility decision. They may accept an outside diagnosis or do their own assessment.
- Schools decide educational eligibility only. See whether autism automatically qualifies for an IEP.
The 4 routes to an autism evaluation for your child
California families have four main routes, and you can use more than one at once. Many parents ask the doctor for a referral, apply to the regional center and, for a child 3 or older, write to the school in the same week. Whichever answers first gets services started.
| Route | Who does it and cost | Typical wait | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pediatrician and health plan (private or Medi-Cal) | Plan specialist; your plan’s usual cost sharing, so ask your plan | Varies by plan and county; ask your plan | Medical diagnosis your plan uses to cover treatment |
| Regional center | Regional center clinicians; free | Eligibility decided within 120 days (45 days in Early Start) | Eligibility for regional center services; may include a diagnosis |
| School district (age 3+) | School psychologist and team; free | Plan in 15 days, assessment and meeting within 60 days of consent | Educational eligibility for an IEP, not a medical diagnosis |
| Private evaluation | Psychologist or developmental clinic; self-pay or out-of-network; ask for a written quote | Varies; ask each clinic | Full report and diagnosis; check that your plan accepts it |
How to get an autism diagnosis in California: step by step
Write down every date you call or send something: those dates start legal timelines.
- Write down what you see. List the behaviors that worry you, when they started and a few examples. Short phone videos of play, speech or routines help the clinician see what happens at home.
- Book a visit with your pediatrician. Say you are worried about autism and ask for a developmental screening and a referral for a full autism evaluation. Ask the office to put the referral in writing.
- Call your health plan or Medi-Cal plan. Ask which in-network clinicians do autism evaluations, whether you need prior authorization and how long the wait is. Plans regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care must offer non-urgent specialist physician appointments within 15 business days of the request (Health and Safety Code 1367.03), or arrange care outside the network.
- Apply to your regional center. Call the intake line for your county. You don’t need a diagnosis first. Intake should happen within 15 working days of your request (Welfare and Institutions Code 4642), and the eligibility decision within 120 days. Our guide on how to apply for regional center services covers the forms.
- Under 3? Ask for Early Start. Children from birth to 36 months can be referred to Early Start, California’s early intervention program. The regional center must assess and hold a planning meeting within 45 days of referral. A diagnosis is not required.
- Age 3 or older? Write to the school. Send a dated letter to the district asking for a special education assessment in all areas of suspected disability. The district has 15 days to send an assessment plan. See how to request a special education assessment.
- Consider a private evaluation if waits are long. Ask the clinician whether your health plan will accept the report and whether they bill insurance.
- Get the written report. Ask for the full report, not only a diagnosis code. Send copies to your regional center, health plan and school.
What to bring to an autism evaluation
Bring anything that shows how your child develops across settings.
- Your written list of concerns and the short videos
- Insurance or Medi-Cal card and the referral or authorization number
- Well-child records, earlier screening results and hearing or vision tests
- Reports from preschool, daycare, Early Start, speech therapy or the school
- A short family history, including relatives with autism or learning differences
Questions to ask the clinician
- Which tools will you use, and how long does the evaluation take?
- Will the report state the DSM-5 diagnosis and the support level?
- Will my health plan, the regional center and the school accept this report?
- When will I get the written report, and can we go over it together?
How long does an autism evaluation take in California?
Getting the appointment is often the slow part. Health plan and clinic waits vary, so ask for an expected date when you call. Start the regional center and school routes at the same time.
Regional centers decide eligibility within 120 days of intake, and Early Start within 45 days of referral, according to North Los Angeles County Regional Center’s intake guide. If the regional center finds your child not eligible, you get a written Notice of Action and can appeal.
After the diagnosis: services and therapies
A diagnosis opens doors to services, but it doesn’t choose them for you. Common options include speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral health treatment such as ABA, parent training and social groups. ASC’s Options Policy explains why we describe these neutrally: no single approach fits every autistic child.
Medi-Cal covers medically necessary behavioral health treatment for members under 21, according to the Department of Health Care Services. A physician or psychologist decides whether it is medically necessary. Read whether Medi-Cal covers ABA therapy for details. Our guide for families with a newly diagnosed child walks through the first 30 days, and regional center eligibility for autism explains what the regional center looks for.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pediatrician diagnose autism in California?
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics says primary care pediatricians can diagnose autism. Many refer to a developmental pediatrician or child psychologist for a full evaluation. Ask whether your health plan and regional center will accept the pediatrician’s diagnosis.
Is an autism evaluation free at the regional center?
Yes. Regional centers do diagnostic evaluations for eligibility free of charge, at any family income. The regional center decides eligibility under the Lanterman Act, so its report may focus on eligibility rather than a full treatment plan. Your health plan can still do its own evaluation.
Can you get an autism diagnosis online?
Some licensed clinicians do part or all of an evaluation by video. Before you pay, ask whether your health plan, the regional center and the school will accept a telehealth diagnosis.
Does a school autism eligibility count as a diagnosis?
No. A school decides educational eligibility for an IEP. Health plans and regional centers usually want a medical or psychological diagnosis. A school report can still support your case, so share it with the clinician.
Next step
Pick the route you can start today: call your pediatrician, then your regional center. Our guide to autism services in California shows how the whole system fits together. Not sure who to call first? See free autism helplines in California, call the ASC information line at 1-800-869-7069, or find your local Autism Society affiliate.