You’ve decided to pursue a diagnosis, or maybe you already have one, and now you’re wondering what comes next—either way, it can feel like nobody handed you a map. Who do you actually call first? Is there a waitlist? And once you have a diagnosis, where do you even start looking for support? Utah has more resources than most people realize—this page walks through both: who diagnoses autism here and where to turn once you have an answer.

What to Do Today

• Call your pediatrician and ask for a referral for a developmental evaluation—you don’t need to wait for them to bring it up first. 
• If you’d rather go straight to a specialist, call the University of Utah’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic at (801) 587-8020 to get on the waitlist while you explore other options in parallel.
• If your child is under 3, contact Baby Watch Early Intervention directly—you can access services for developmental delays before a formal autism diagnosis is complete.
• Once you have a diagnosis, reach out to the Utah Parent Center or the Autism Council of Utah—both specialize in helping families figure out next steps, not just autism itself.

Who Diagnoses Autism in Utah?

Autism diagnosis in Utah isn’t limited to one type of provider. Depending on the person’s age, needs, and insurance requirements, an evaluation may involve one or more qualified professionals:

• Licensed psychologists and neuropsychologists: professionals with training and experience evaluating autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Developmental-behavioral pediatricians and qualified pediatricians: physicians with experience evaluating developmental and behavioral conditions in children.
• Child psychiatrists and neurologists: physicians who may diagnose ASD when appropriately trained and experienced in autism evaluation.
• Other qualified licensed clinicians: some clinical social workers or clinical mental health counselors may administer or contribute to ASD diagnostic assessments when permitted by their scope of practice, training, and the payer’s requirements.

Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists may also contribute to a comprehensive evaluation by assessing communication, sensory processing, motor skills, and daily functioning. However, families should confirm that the diagnosing clinician and evaluation meet the requirements of their insurance plan, Medicaid program, school system, or treatment provider.

A diagnosis can happen at any age. Some children are identified in early childhood, while others are not diagnosed until school age, adolescence, or adulthood. A formal diagnosis can help someone seek treatment, educational services, accommodations, and other supports, although eligibility and coverage depend on the specific program or health plan.

What the Evaluation Actually Involves

A comprehensive autism evaluation typically combines a few different pieces:

• Standardized diagnostic tests and assessments that measure social, communication, and behavioral patterns.
• Interviews with the individual and their parents or caregivers about developmental history and current concerns.
• Direct observation of behavior and social interaction.

Gathering information from multiple sources—parents, caregivers, teachers—helps build a fuller picture than any single conversation or test could on its own.

Where to Get Evaluated in Utah 

Utah families can seek autism evaluations through university clinics, hospital-based developmental programs, licensed psychologists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, and other qualified diagnostic providers.

The University of Utah Health Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic evaluates children and adults. Evaluations may include an initial clinical interview, additional psychological or psychiatric testing when needed, a feedback appointment, and a written diagnostic report. Some services may also be available virtually, depending on the evaluation.

Utah State University’s Integrated Assessment program also provides interdisciplinary autism evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults.

Before scheduling, confirm that the provider performs formal ASD diagnostic evaluations, evaluates your child’s age group, and accepts your insurance or Utah Medicaid. Ask about current wait times, prior authorization requirements, and what the evaluation will include.

University of Utah’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic

The University of Utah Health Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic evaluates children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Evaluations may include an initial clinical interview, additional psychological or psychiatric testing when needed, a feedback appointment, and a written report with testing results and diagnostic information.

The clinic may also assess co-occurring behavioral or emotional concerns, intellectual functioning, executive-function skills, and adaptive skills. Behavioral consultation is available for concerns such as aggression, self-injury, and oppositional behavior, although these services are separate from the formal diagnostic evaluation.

To request testing, call 801-587-8020. Clinic staff gather preliminary information and place families on the testing waitlist. The initial consultation is usually conducted virtually, and later evaluation and feedback visits may be virtual or in person depending on the person’s needs.

Before scheduling, confirm current insurance coverage, potential out-of-pocket costs, and whether a referral or prior authorization is required. 

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Earlier diagnosis generally means earlier access to intervention, and earlier intervention is consistently linked to better long-term outcomes in communication, social interaction, and behavior. Interventions like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy tend to be most effective when they start early—and early intervention doesn’t have to wait for a formal diagnosis. 

Utah’s Baby Watch Early Intervention Program serves children up to age 3 who show signs of a developmental delay, including autism, with services like developmental assessments and therapy available before a formal diagnosis is complete. If you suspect something and your child is under 3, you can start there directly rather than waiting on a diagnostic evaluation first.

Support Organizations in Utah

A diagnosis is only one part of the process. Utah families can also turn to organizations that help them understand services, navigate education and treatment options, and find additional support. 

• Utah Parent Center: A statewide nonprofit providing free parent consultation, disability information, special-education advocacy, workshops, referrals, and transition support for families of children and young adults with disabilities, including autism.
• Autism Council of Utah: A community autism-resource organization that provides information about autism evaluations, treatment providers, training, and family support resources.
• Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at Utah Valley University: Provides resource navigation, service coordination, education, caregiver and professional training, community programs, and transition support. The center does not provide autism diagnostic evaluations, but it can help families locate evaluation and treatment resources.

These organizations can help families understand their options before and after an autism diagnosis and connect with appropriate resources across Utah. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral for an autism evaluation in Utah? 

It depends on the provider and your insurance plan. Some clinics accept self-referrals, while your insurer may require a referral or prior authorization before covering the evaluation. 

Can my child’s pediatrician diagnose autism?  

Some qualified pediatricians with autism-diagnostic experience may diagnose ASD, but many pediatricians screen for developmental concerns and refer families for a comprehensive evaluation. Before scheduling, confirm that the evaluator’s diagnosis will be accepted by your insurance plan and any services you plan to pursue. 

Can my child receive early intervention before an autism diagnosis? 

Yes. Children with developmental delays may qualify for some early-intervention services without a formal autism diagnosis. In Utah, families with children under age 3 can contact early-intervention services to determine whether their child is eligible based on developmental needs. 

Does Utah Medicaid cover autism evaluations? 

Coverage depends on the evaluation, provider, Medicaid program, and applicable authorization requirements. Ask your plan whether the diagnostic evaluation is covered, whether a referral or prior authorization is required, and which enrolled providers can perform it. 

What happens after my child receives an autism diagnosis? 

The evaluator should explain the findings and provide recommendations based on your child’s individual needs. Next steps may include early intervention, school-based services, speech or occupational therapy, ABA therapy, or other supports when clinically appropriate. 

You Don’t Have to Map This Out Alone

Whether you’re still waiting on a diagnosis or you’re a year in and looking for the right next resource, Treetop can help you understand your next steps—including ABA therapy once a diagnosis is in hand. Most families pay $0 out-of-pocket.

Get Started or Find a Location / Call (855) 800-9361

References

Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Utah Medicaid. Autism Spectrum Disorder Services Provider Manual. https://medicaid-documents.dhhs.utah.gov/Documents/manuals/pdfs/Medicaid%20Provider%20Manuals/Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorder%20Services/AutismSpectrumDisorder.pdf

Utah State Legislature. Utah Code § 31A-22-642, Autism Spectrum Disorder Coverage and Diagnosis Requirements. https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title31A/Chapter22/31A-22-S642.html

University of Utah Health, Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder

University of Utah Health, Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic. https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/autism-clinic

Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Early Childhood. Baby Watch Early Intervention Program. https://familyhealth.utah.gov/oec/baby-watch-early-intervention/

Utah Parent Center. Parent Support, Training, and Disability Resources. https://utahparentcenter.org/

Autism Council of Utah. Evaluation Resources. https://www.autismcouncilofutah.org/post/evaluation

Utah Valley University. Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism. https://www.uvu.edu/autism/faq.html