Get a clearer next step for your child

If you’ve noticed developmental differences or have questions about autism, a brief online screener can help you decide whether it’s time to seek a professional evaluation.

Complete a no-cost online screener

The first step is completing a simple online autism screening tool that can be completed at home. Screeners can help identify your child's autism risk and give insight into whether further evaluation is needed.

  • No cost
  • Complete it at home in a few minutes
  • Not a diagnosis, but the right place to begin

If your child may benefit from professional care, we work with major insurance providers and can help verify your coverage:

View all
Find the right screener

#1 Rated ABA therapy in Dallas

This place is a heaven sent! My son was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago. And he is 6 and now has graduated from this wonderful place! Now heading to first grade! Our son and family has always felt supported here. He never wanted to miss a day! We are definitely going to miss this place! Thank you to the ABC Staff for all that you’ve done for my son! If you’re looking for ABA therapy for your loved one look no further, this is the place to go!

Taryn O’Neal

The staff here is on point! I would highly recommend registering in this ABA program. Our son is 4 years old and has shown major improvement since he’s been enrolled (1.5 months). Never have had a bad experience, all of the therapists here are very good with all children from what I’ve witnessed. The director always greets us at the door at drop off and pick up with a very positive attitude. We have really enjoyed the warmth from this center! Our child has progressed very well in the little time that he has attended. Would rate 10 stars if possible! If you’re looking for a kind and compassionate environment for your children, would definitely consider ABC.

Mark Leonard Sr

The ABA therapy provided here has been a game changer for my son, who in his own words said "I've learned how to make friends and finally enjoy school." The staff are delightful and knowledgeable, and patiently worked with us as we navigated our own journey through the world of ABA. The staff at ABC gave our family the tools we needed to improve our son's life and ours. It's definitely a team effort and parents need to be willing to put in the investment of learning too, but it's absolutely worth it. We even miss coming here as we had such positive interactions with the staff! Thank you, ABC!

Caroline Hackney

A simple first step without jumping to conclusions

A screener cannot diagnose autism or tell you everything about your child. It can help identify whether a full evaluation may be worth pursuing, so you can move forward with more clarity and confidence.

You know your child best. If something feels different, it’s okay to ask questions.

What happens after the screener?

1. Complete the questions

Answer a short set of questions about your child’s everyday behavior and development.

2. Review your result

Your result can help indicate whether further evaluation may be helpful. A higher-risk result is not an autism diagnosis.

3. Get help finding the right next step

If an evaluation is recommended—or you still have concerns—our team can help you understand your options and find care near you.

‍

How is autism diagnosed?

How is autism diagnosed?

The first signs of ASD typically appear before age 2. There is not currently a blood test, brain scan, or physical examination that can diagnose autism. Instead, a licensed professional, such as a pediatrician or child psychologist, can make an accurate diagnosis after observing a child’s behavior during a formal assessment. Learn more about how to get an autism diagnosis.

Diagnosing ASD involves several steps:

  1. Identification: Parents, caregivers, or doctors may begin to recognize signs of autism in a child’s behavior. Early signs may involve not making eye contact or not speaking.
  2. Screening: Parents or doctors can use screening tools, such as the M-CHAT-R or CAST, to see whether their child should receive a more formal evaluation.
  3. Developmental evaluation: A trained clinician or specialist completes an evaluation using directly administered, play-based tests. One commonly used test, the ADOS-2, is a gold-standard tool that can reliably identify ASD symptoms.
  4. Diagnosis: The child's doctor or psychologist will review all test results and data collected to determine if the child meets the criteria for an ASD diagnosis.
This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.

Who can diagnose autism?

Who can diagnose autism?

In the U.S., autism is diagnosed by qualified medical and mental health professionals through a comprehensive evaluation. This process may include direct observation, developmental history, caregiver interviews, and standardized diagnostic tools to determine whether a child meets criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Many children can be evaluated as early as 18 months old.

Professionals who may diagnose autism include:

  • Developmental pediatricians
  • Child psychologists or neuropsychologists
  • Child psychiatrists
  • Pediatric neurologists

Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®) may support the evaluation process, but a formal autism diagnosis is typically made by one of the specialists listed above. Learn more about how to get an autism diagnosis.

This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.

Does my child need an autism diagnosis before starting ABA therapy?

Does my child need an autism diagnosis before starting ABA therapy?

Yes! Your child will need a formal autism diagnosis before they can begin ABA therapy, receive insurance coverage, and access certain school programs. As a trusted ABA therapy provider, Action Behavior offers no-cost autism evaluations, including the ADOS-2, to help guide your next steps. Contact us today to learn more about the autism evaluation process.

This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.
Autism Screeners in Dallas

How old is your child?

Great, we recommend the CAST Screener

Great, we recommend the M-CHAT-R Screener

Find top ABA therapy in Dallas, Texas

Top ABA Therapy near you available at Action Behavior Centers
1
4.5
(45 ratings)

Name

ABA Therapy, Home-based Care
0.5mi
—
Address Address Address
,
Brooklyn
,
NY
11211
Insurance:
Anthem, Cigna.. +12 more
Ages Served:
0 - 17 years old
Phone:
(512) 364-0006
View Center
(123) 333-4444
Contact Center
Get started today

Name

0.5mi
—
Address
,
Brooklyn
,
NY
11211
(512) 364-0006
View Center

Check Autism Therapy insurance coverage in Dallas

Insurance coverage for ABA therapy can vary by state and by health plan. Use the tool below to find state-specific insurance coverage for autism therapy in your area. Don’t see your insurance listed? Contact your local ABA center to verify in-network ABA coverage.

Please note: Medicaid is not accepted in Texas at this time.

Moda Health Plan Inc
Optum
Premera Blue Cross
Priority Health
Quantum Health
Regence
Sidecar Health
Surest
Texas School Health Benefits Program
Trustmark
UMR
United Healthcare
ABC offers evidence-based ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism.
Find care
For Parents
A Message for ParentsAutism Diagnostic SupportAbout AutismAbout ABA TherapyOur Autism ServicesFinancial AssistanceInsurance CoverageFamily Impact Stories & OutcomesGet Started Here
ABC Resources
M-CHAT-R Screener (Toddlers)CAST Screener (Older Children)ADOS-2 EvaluationIDE AssessmentFrequently Asked QuestionsOur Outcomes ResearchBlogView All Resources
Careers
Find a Center
View All LocationsFind CareLearn About Center-Based ABAPatient Referrals
ABC States
View All States
Texas
Colorado
Arizona
Illinois
North Carolina
Top ABC Cities
View All Cities (30+)
Austin
San Antonio
Dallas
Houston
Phoenix
About ABC
About Us
Advocacy
New
Our LeadershipContact ABCPrivacy Policy

Accessibility notice:
This website is designed in accordance with WCAG AA 2.0 standards. Please contact us  if you have any issues accessing the Action Behavior Centers website and we will be happy to help.

Cookies notice:
Manage your consent preferences. This website uses cookies to identify which pages get the most use. We do not and will never sell user data. Read more about our cookie policy on our privacy policy. Please contact us if you have any questions.

©2026 Action Behavior Centers. All Rights Reserved.

Market Leader