Getting an Autism Diagnosis in Des Moines, Iowa

In the Des Moines metro, autism evaluation is available through several routes, with the right one depending on your child's age and your insurance.

Where evaluations happen in the Des Moines area:

• ChildServe — provides autism diagnostic services as part of its pediatric offerings
• Developmental-behavioral pediatricians at Blank Children's Hospital (UnityPoint Health) and in private practice
• Pediatric psychologists and neuropsychologists specializing in autism
• University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City (about two hours east) — the state's main academic medical center, for complex cases

The Regional Autism Assistance Program. Iowa's Regional Autism Assistance Program (RAP) provides regional autism screening and helps coordinate referrals for assessment and diagnostic services. For families unsure where to start, RAP can be a useful navigation point.

Wait times. Specialty autism evaluation wait times in the Des Moines metro generally run several months to over a year, depending on the provider and current capacity. Some private clinical psychologists offer shorter timelines, particularly with out-of-pocket payment.

Rural families. Des Moines concentrates much of central Iowa's diagnostic capacity. Rural central Iowa families frequently travel to the metro for evaluation.

For children under 3: You don't need to wait for a medical diagnosis to start services. Self-refer to Early ACCESS, Iowa's early intervention program — it evaluates based on developmental delay (no autism diagnosis or doctor's referral required) and delivers services in your home, free.

For school-age children: In Iowa, a medical diagnosis is not required for school services. Request a special education evaluation from your school district (with Area Education Agency support) in writing — the school conducts its own evaluation and determines eligibility based on educational impact.