Getting an Autism Diagnosis in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How and where to get an autism evaluation in Philadelphia — from CHOP to private practices to Early Intervention — plus what to expect on wait times and coverage.
Philadelphia has some of the strongest diagnostic capacity in the country, anchored by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. But high demand means real waits, so it helps to understand all your options and to get on more than one list.
This page covers where to seek an evaluation, how the process works at different ages, and how to start services even before a formal diagnosis is in hand.
Autism Diagnosis in Philadelphia specifically
Philadelphia's diagnostic options are among the deepest anywhere, but the busiest are also the most in-demand.
CHOP's Autism Integrated Care Program is the region's premier resource, providing diagnosis and follow-up care with a multidisciplinary team; its Center for Autism Research anchors the region's research depth. Because demand is very high, waits can run several months or more. The intake process typically involves questionnaires and behavioral checklists returned before scheduling.
Other hospital systems and private practices across the Delaware Valley — including private psychologists and neuropsychology practices — offer ADOS-2-based evaluations, sometimes with shorter waits than CHOP.
Coverage. Pennsylvania's Act 62 and Medical Assistance both cover autism diagnostic evaluation. For families combining coverage, the PH-95 Medical Assistance pathway can help.
Wait times are the main challenge at the academic centers; getting on more than one waitlist is common advice.
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