Autism Evaluation and Diagnosis in Summit County, Ohio

Informational only. It is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the agency or provider named before you act.

If you think your child may be autistic, there are a few different kinds of evaluation available in and near Summit County. They serve different purposes, and many families pursue more than one.

Three kinds of evaluation

• A medical or psychological diagnosis from a clinic, doctor, or psychologist. This is often what insurance asks for, and a private diagnosis from a physician or psychologist is one path to the Ohio Autism Scholarship. (ORC 3310.41)
• An Early Intervention evaluation (birth to age 3) through Ohio Early Intervention. Summit DD's EI program offers developmental screenings, evaluations, and assessments at no cost to eligible families. (Summit DD)
• A school evaluation (age 3 and up) through your public school district, to decide whether your child qualifies for special education and an IEP. A parent can request one, and Ohio rules set a 60-day timeline after you consent. (OAC 3301-51-06)

A school evaluation decides eligibility for special education services; it is not the same as a medical diagnosis. Ask your child's doctor and your district which one you need for your goals.

Diagnostic clinics listed in the directory

These providers list autism or developmental evaluations. Details come from each provider's own website; see each listing for its source and last-checked date. Browse all of them on our Diagnosis & Evaluation page.

Wait times for evaluations can vary, so it can help to call more than one place. Your child's pediatrician may also be able to refer you.

Free and public options

• Under 3: call Ohio Early Intervention at 1-800-755-4769 or use the online referral form. (Ohio Department of Children and Youth) See our listing for Summit County Early Intervention (Help Me Grow).
• 3 and up: contact your school district's special education office to request an evaluation in writing. DEW's evaluation roadmap explains each step.

Insurance

Ohio Revised Code 3923.84 requires certain individual and group health insurance policies to cover autism screening and diagnosis, and defines diagnosis as "medically necessary assessment, evaluations, or tests." Not every plan is covered by this law, so ask your insurer before scheduling. (ORC 3923.84)

Questions to ask when you call

• What ages do you evaluate, and do I need a referral from our pediatrician?
• How long is the current wait for a new evaluation?
• Do you take our insurance or Medicaid plan? Is prior authorization needed?
• What does the evaluation involve, and how long does it take?
• Will we get a written report, and when? Will there be a feedback meeting?
• If I plan to apply for the Ohio Autism Scholarship, will the report be signed and dated, on letterhead, and clearly state the diagnosis? (These are items DEW says a private diagnosis should include.) (DEW)

After the evaluation

Whatever the result, our guide to first steps after an autism diagnosis covers Early Intervention, school IEPs, Summit DD, Medicaid, and insurance.

Sources

1. Early Intervention – Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board
2. Ohio Early Intervention – Ohio Department of Children and Youth
3. Help Me Grow online referral form
4. Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-06 – Evaluations
5. Evaluation roadmap for families (PDF) – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
6. Ohio Revised Code 3923.84 – Coverage for autism spectrum disorder
7. Ohio Revised Code 3310.41 – Autism scholarship program
8. Autism Scholarship – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

Last reviewed Oct 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us or email info@autismhub.me.