Teachers describe one child. Home looks like someone else entirely. Maybe your child has always felt a step outside the group, or maybe the signs are newer: meltdowns that seem to come from nowhere, an intense focus on one topic, a hard time reading a room that everyone else reads easily.
You are not looking for a label. You are looking for an explanation that finally makes sense of what you have been seeing for years.
Autism is not a flaw to correct. It is a different way of thinking, connecting, and experiencing the world, and understanding it changes everything about how you can support your child. A thorough evaluation gives you clarity on what is happening, what your child needs, and how to help them thrive as exactly who they are.
Are you noticing any of these?
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Strong focus or deep expertise in specific interests
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Difficulty reading social cues, or exhaustion after socializing
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Sensory sensitivities to sound, texture, light, or touch
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Big reactions to changes in routine or unexpected transitions
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A gap between how your child seems to others and how they feel inside
The earlier, the better
Autism can be reliably identified as early in development. If you are worried about your toddler's development, waiting rarely helps, and early intervention changes outcomes. It can be hard to know whether what you're noticing is a real concern or just personality, especially before a child has much language to compare.
Signs to watch for at this age include limited eye contact, not responding to their name, delayed or unusual speech patterns, repetitive movements, or intense reactions to changes in routine. If something feels off, testing early gives you answers while there is still the most time to help.
What ADHD testing gives you
A clear answer
Whether an autism diagnosis fits, based on gold-standard tools including the ADOS-2, developmental history, and observation across settings.
A strength-based lens
A report that names what your child does well, not only where they struggle.
School ready documentation
What you need to request an IEP, a 504 Plan, or classroom accommodations.
A path forward
Specific recommendations for therapy, school supports, and home strategies
Room to expand
Autism testing can include additional testing for ADHD, learning disabilities, or giftedness.
What to Expect:
Our Four-Step Process
Testing that honors your language and culture
Autistic traits can look different across cultures and languages, and that difference is often misunderstood. Is a behavior a cultural norm, a language-development stage, or a sign of autism? Getting that answer wrong can mean years without the right support. Every evaluation is conducted and interpreted with careful attention to your family's language, culture, and background, in English or Spanish, so the results are accurate and fair.
Why families choose a private evaluation
Many families wait months for an autism evaluation through the school system or a hospital program. A private evaluation gives you a clear, formal answer on your timeline. You get a more comprehensive picture, a portable report you own and can use anywhere, and specific recommendations you can act on right away.
Making care accessible
Clear conversations about fees help you plan with confidence. New Horizons offers private pay options and financing through CareCredit. Medicaid, AETNA, and all Denver Health plans cover autism testing. Check with your insurance to confirm your specific coverage.
Serving families across Denver and the surrounding metro, including Greenwood Village, and Highlands Ranch