Parents Are Asking: Why Is It Harder to Get an Autism Evaluation in Chicago?

Written by Dr. Laura Mraz, OTD, OTR/L
President, Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA)

You’ve finally gathered the courage and energy to schedule an autism evaluation for your child, only to discover that the earliest appointment is months away.

You can see the door you need, but you can’t cross the threshold. You ask, “Why is it so hard to get an evaluation ? Why are there no openings?”

As an occupational therapist and the founder of Eyas Landing, Blue Bird Day, and Merlin Day Academy, I’ve walked beside families helping them open doors for nearly two decades.

I know the feeling parents are experiencing. The mix of urgency, worry, and frustration can be exhausting.

I want you to know something: you aren’t walking this hallway alone and the doors are closer to being opened than you realize.

In this article, I’ll walk you through what’s changing across Chicago’s early childhood system, how those changes affect your family, and what you can do right now to keep your child moving forward, even while you wait.

If you’d like more personalized insights, please reach out to Thee Birds One Mission. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

What Changed and Why It Matters

Chicago’s early childhood system is growing. New laws have added more providers, more programs, and more ways to get your child screened. That’s wonderful news for your family. But these changes have also brought more families to the door at once, all hoping for support at the same time.

Here’s what’s changing, and where you may notice the crowding.

More Screenings Across the City

Illinois passed the Department of Early Childhood Act, a major law that reorganized early childhood services under one state agency and expanded developmental screenings across preschools, pediatric clinics, and community programs. A developmental screening is a quick check of how your child is growing in areas like talking, playing, moving, and interacting.

This is a genuine step forward. Catching needs earlier means children can start building skills sooner. But there’s a ripple effect: more screenings lead to more referrals, and more referrals lead to longer waitlists for the evaluations that come next.

Updated Pediatric Screening Guidelines

Pediatricians are now encouraged to screen earlier and more often, including standard autism screenings around 18 and 24 months. That’s a meaningful improvement, because the earlier we understand your child’s unique strengths and needs, the earlier we can support them.

The trade-off is volume. When more children are flagged for a closer look, the pool of available evaluators gets stretched thin. Your pediatrician may be doing everything right but the wait can still feel long.

Schools Must Document Concerns Earlier

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) must follow strict federal timelines under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) once you raise a concern in writing. In plain terms, that means when you ask the school to evaluate your child, a clock starts ticking, and the district has a set number of days to respond and act.

Teachers are also identifying sensory, communication, and behavioral needs earlier than ever. This funnels more children into evaluation pathways sooner,  which is exactly what we want developmentally, even as it adds pressure to an already busy system.

Insurance and Funding Requirements Have Shifted

New rules have changed how quickly evaluations get approved and how therapy hours are covered. Many insurance plans still require prior authorization (official approval before services can begin) and clinicians must follow rigorous documentation and privacy requirements to stay compliant.

These safeguards protect your family. They also add steps that can slow scheduling. Understanding your specific plan’s rules early can save you real time later.

More Children Need Multidisciplinary Evaluations

Families increasingly seek comprehensive, whole-child evaluations that bring several specialists together. A multidisciplinary evaluation simply means more than one type of expert looks at your child, so you get a fuller picture. That can include:

• Occupational Therapy (OT): builds everyday skills like using scissors, getting dressed, and managing sensory input.
• Speech Therapy: supports communication, from first words to conversation and understanding.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): teaches skills by breaking them into small, achievable steps your child can master.
• Physical Therapy (PT): strengthens movement, balance, and coordination.
• Social Work: supports your child’s emotional world and connects your family to resources.

This team-based approach is deeply positive. It’s also part of why demand has multiplied across every specialty at once. For families who want diagnostic clarity, Blue Bird Day offers diagnostic testing with a licensed clinical psychologist at our Wheaton location.

Quick takeaway: more screening and earlier identification are good for children. The waitlists that follow are a side effect of a system doing more. It’s not a sign that anything is wrong with your child or your timing.

How These Policy Changes Affect Families

Demand for evaluations and therapy is growing fast, and that means longer lines for everyone. Providers are still working hard to see every child. But waitlists are longer, appointments take more time to schedule, and the wait can feel heavier than it should.

Here’s how families across the Chicago metro area are feeling the impact right now.

Longer Wait Times for Autism Evaluations

Many families wait several months for a diagnostic appointment. Parents often tell me this stretch is the hardest part. You want answers now, and instead you’re asked to hold steady. Your concerns are completely valid. Waiting doesn’t mean nothing is happening. It means more families than ever are asking for help.

Delays in Starting Therapy Services

Most insurance companies require an official diagnosis on paper before they’ll approve therapy. Until the evaluation is finished, services often can’t begin. That gap between “I know my child needs support” and “we can officially start” is one of the most frustrating parts of the current landscape.

More Pressure on Schools and Pediatricians

Teachers and pediatricians are fielding more requests than ever. They care deeply about your child. But the sheer volume can make it hard for them to respond as quickly as your family deserves. Knowing this helps you plan around it, rather than waiting on a single door to open.

Parents Feel Unsure Where to Begin

Some families start with the school. Others call the pediatrician. Others reach out directly to a clinic. The “right” first step isn’t always obvious, and that uncertainty piles more stress onto an already full plate.

We understand how overwhelming this can feel. The good news is that you don’t have to pick perfectly — you just have to start.

What You Can Do While You Wait

Waiting does not mean standing still. This time is a chance to take small, steady actions that support your child’s growth while the larger system catches up. These steps can also make your evaluation faster and more accurate, because you’ll arrive with detailed, real-life information about your child.

Here are a few meaningful things you can do today.

Start a Simple Observation Log

A few words each day go a long way. Note communication attempts, sensory reactions, sleep, transitions, and moments of joy or frustration. Evaluators rely on real-life patterns, and your notes give them a window into your child that no single appointment can capture.

Use Home Strategies That Support Regulation

Predictable routines, gentle transitions, and sensory-friendly activities help your child feel safe and settled. A visual schedule with pictures, a warning before switching tasks, or a calm-down corner can make daily life smoother — and these strategies keep working long after the evaluation is done.

Request School-Based Support Without a Diagnosis

You can ask for accommodations before an evaluation is complete. Put your concerns in writing to start the timeline, and ask about supports like visual schedules, sensory breaks, and communication tools. Your child doesn’t have to wait for a label to begin benefiting from thoughtful adjustments.

Explore Community Programs Around Chicago

Sensory-friendly library story times, Chicago Park District classes, and inclusive community events offer low-pressure ways to practice social and play skills. For children under three, you can also contact Illinois Early Intervention; for children three and older, your local school district can begin the evaluation process.

Quick takeaway: three actions matter most while you wait: document what you see, build steady routines at home, and ask for school and community support now.

How Our Team Helps Families Through These Changes

Our team walks beside you through every step of this process. We help you understand your options, point out helpful resources, and plan the next step that fits your child and your family. Meeting your family where you are is the heart of what we do.

Clear Guidance on Evaluation Pathways

Medical evaluations, school evaluations, and insurance-driven evaluations each work differently. We help you understand which door fits your goals, so the process feels less like a maze and more like a plan.

Multidisciplinary Teams Under One Roof

At Eyas Landing (ages 0–21) and Blue Bird Day (ages 2–6), and Merlin Day Academy (ages 6–14) OT, Speech, ABA, PT, and Social Work collaborate closely. Instead of coordinating separate providers across the city, you have one connected team building toward your child’s goals together. Learn more at Three Birds One Mission Dot Com.

With your permission, we share general guidance so everyone supporting your child stays aligned — without compromising your family’s privacy. Parents consistently tell us this coordination lifts a real weight off their shoulders.

A Moment That Calls for Action

Chicago families are facing real delays, and the need for evaluations keeps growing. It’s completely natural to feel stressed when support seems just out of reach.

But remember this: your child’s development doesn’t pause and neither does your ability to help them thrive.

This moment asks for patience and gentle action. Build routines. Gather information. Stay connected to resources. And let our team walk beside you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m not sure whether my child’s delays are significant enough to warrant an evaluation?

Trust your instincts. If something feels different or concerning, that feeling is worth taking seriously. You don’t need a certain number of missed milestones or a specific diagnosis to ask for a closer look. Developmental screenings are designed for exactly this kind of uncertainty. A conversation with your pediatrician, a call to Illinois Early Intervention (for children under three), or a reach-out to our intake team costs nothing and can give you real clarity. Early questions lead to early answers and early answers lead to early support.

What if my child is on a waitlist at multiple places?

Absolutely! It’s actually a smart strategy. Being on more than one waitlist at a time is completely appropriate and widely encouraged. Evaluation slots open up unexpectedly, and families who have reached out to several clinics are often the first to benefit when a spot becomes available. Once you secure an appointment, you can simply let the other clinics know.

What should I do if Chicago Public Schools are slow to respond after I raise a concern in writing?

Follow up with a dated, written reminder. Email works well because it creates a clear record. Under federal IDEA law, the district has set timelines it must meet once you put a concern in writing, so keeping a paper trail matters. If the delay continues, you can contact your local Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for free advocacy support, or reach out to the Illinois State Board of Education.

What if my insurance denies coverage for an autism evaluation or therapy?

Start by asking your insurance company for a written explanation of the denial. Then request a formal appeal. You have the right to do this, and many families succeed on appeal. Your pediatrician or a clinic like Eyas Landing can often provide supporting documentation to strengthen your case. Illinois law also requires most insurance plans to cover autism diagnosis and treatment, so reaching out to a patient advocate or your state representative’s office can open additional doors.

Does my child need an autism diagnosis to receive occupational therapy or speech therapy?

Not always. Many therapy services can begin based on a developmental concern or delay, even before a formal autism diagnosis is in place. At Eyas Landing, Merlin Day Academy, and Blue Bird Day, our teams evaluate each child’s unique strengths and needs and in many cases, we can begin building skills while the diagnostic process is still underway. Reach out to our intake team to learn what’s possible for your child right now.

How is a clinic-based evaluation different from a school-based evaluation?

A school evaluation focuses on whether your child qualifies for special education services under federal IDEA law. Its goal is to determine eligibility for an IEP. A clinic-based evaluation, on the other hand, looks at the full picture of your child’s development and can result in a medical diagnosis. Both have value, and many families benefit from having both. Understanding the difference helps you use each pathway for what it does best.

What age should I start seeking an autism evaluation for my child?

If you have a concern, now is the right time. For children under three, Illinois Early Intervention can begin the process quickly. For children three and older, your local school district or a clinic like Blue Bird Day can guide next steps. Research consistently shows that earlier support leads to stronger outcomes, but children of all ages benefit from the right help at the right time. Trust your instincts as a parent. You know your child best.