Addressing Autism Concerns in Children: How to Talk with Your Pediatrician

A Parent’s Guide for Families in Chicago and Chicagoland

If you’ve started to notice developmental differences in your child—whether it’s speech delays, limited eye contact, sensory sensitivities, or differences in social interaction—you’re not alone. Many parents feel unsure about how to bring up autism concerns with their pediatrician, or worry they won’t have the right words.

Monitoring your child's development is crucial for the early identification of concerns and ensuring timely support.

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we support families across Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs who are navigating these early conversations. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social, communication, and behavioral skills, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a wide range of challenges in these areas. Talking with your pediatrician is an important first step toward understanding your child’s development and accessing the right support.

Early diagnosis and intervention can improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by autism.

Trust Your Instincts as a Parent

Parents know their children best. If something feels off—even if it’s subtle—it’s worth discussing. You do not need to wait until a well-child visit if concerns are growing. Pediatricians expect and welcome these conversations, and early dialogue can lead to earlier support.

Common reasons parents begin to have autism concerns include:

• Limited or delayed speech
• Not responding to their name
• Differences in play or social interaction
• Social challenges, such as difficulty making eye contact or engaging with others
• Repetitive behaviors, including repetitive movements or strong routines
• Sensory sensitivities (sounds, textures, lights)
• Safety issues like elopement

Developmental monitoring involves observing how a child grows and whether they meet typical developmental milestones, often by comparing their progress to other children of the same age. Screening questionnaires and checklists are based on research that compares your child with other children to help identify potential concerns.

Not every developmental difference means autism, but sharing observations early is key.

Preparing for the Conversation with Your Pediatrician

Before your appointment, it can be helpful to organize your thoughts. This makes the conversation clearer and ensures your concerns are fully addressed.

Here are some things to bring or consider:

• Notes about specific behaviors or concerns you’ve observed
• A list of questions you want to ask
• Any relevant medical records or reports
• Information about your child’s developmental history, such as when they reached milestones like walking or talking

Specialists in developmental and behavioral pediatrics may use a clinical interview as part of the assessment process, along with psychological and autism-specific assessments, to gather a comprehensive understanding of your child's needs.

What to Bring or Think About: Your Child's Development

• Specific behaviors you’ve noticed
• When those behaviors started
• Examples of how your child communicates or plays
• Any regression or loss of skills
• Concerns raised by caregivers, teachers, or daycare providers

You don’t need clinical language—real-life examples are often the most helpful.

What to Say During the Appointment

It’s okay to be direct. Pediatricians are trained to assess development and guide next steps. A child's healthcare provider may use a screening tool to assess your child's development during regular checkups. A screening tool is a brief test that does not provide a diagnosis, but it can indicate whether your child is on the right developmental track or if a specialist should take a closer look. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine autism screenings at 18 and 24 months. Early diagnosis is important for accessing timely support, interventions, and resources that can improve long-term outcomes.

Helpful phrases might include:

• “I have concerns about my child’s communication and social development.”
• “I’m wondering if autism could be something we should evaluate.”
• “My child isn’t meeting certain milestones, and I’d like to understand why.”

Asking specifically about autism can feel intimidating, but it helps ensure the concern is clearly documented and addressed.

Questions You Can Ask Your Pediatrician

To make the most of the appointment, consider asking:

• Are my child’s behaviors typical for their age?
• Do you recommend a developmental or autism evaluation?
• How does the diagnostic process for autism work, and what diagnostic tools are used?
• Should we pursue early intervention services?
• Can you provide referrals for autism testing or therapy services?
• What should we do while we wait for an evaluation?

These questions help move the conversation toward actionable next steps. A precise diagnosis is important for developing tailored treatment plans that address your child's specific needs. The autism diagnosis process typically involves a team-based approach that assesses both behavior and developmental history.

If Your Pediatrician Recommends Monitoring

Sometimes pediatricians suggest a “wait and see” approach. While monitoring can be appropriate in some cases, parents are also allowed to advocate for further evaluation if concerns persist.

Developmental screening is a regular part of some well-child visits, even if there is not a known concern, and parents can ask their child's healthcare provider to perform a developmental screening test if it is not done routinely.

If you’re told to monitor, you can respond with:

• “What specific changes should I look for?”
• “When should we follow up if concerns continue?”
• “Can we still pursue an evaluation for peace of mind?”

If concerns persist, a formal developmental evaluation may be conducted by a developmental pediatrician or other trained specialist to determine if your child meets the criteria for a developmental diagnosis.

Early evaluations do not harm—and they often provide clarity and access to helpful supports.

Next Steps After the Conversation

If your pediatrician shares your concerns, they may recommend:

• A formal autism evaluation
• Developmental testing
• Speech, occupational, or ABA therapy
• Early Intervention (for children under 3)

Comprehensive evaluations, including neuropsychological testing, are often used to distinguish autism from other developmental conditions. The results of a formal developmental evaluation can also show whether your child needs early intervention services.

Families in Chicago and the Chicagoland area often benefit from connecting with pediatric therapy providers who specialize in autism and early childhood development.

Autism Assessment and Testing at North Shore Pediatric Therapy

Early Autism Testing for Families in Chicagoland

If your conversation with your pediatrician leads to a recommendation for further evaluation—or if you’re ready to seek answers on your own—North Shore Pediatric Therapy offers comprehensive autism testing through our Early Autism Testing Clinic.

The process involves more than just diagnosing autism; it focuses on understanding your child's overall development, behavior, and social interactions to provide comprehensive insights. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life for autistic children. The assessment process includes structured clinical interviews, psychological assessments, and autism-specific assessments.

Our clinic specializes in early autism evaluations for young children, helping families gain clarity during a critical window of development. Evaluations are completed by experienced pediatric specialists who understand how autism can present differently in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

What Makes Our Early Autism Testing Clinic Different

Families across Chicago and the Chicagoland area choose NSPT for autism testing because we offer:

• Comprehensive, developmentally appropriate autism evaluations
• Specialists experienced in identifying early signs of autism
• A child-friendly, family-centered evaluation process
• Clear results and thoughtful guidance on next steps
• Direct access to therapy services after the evaluation, if recommended
• A focus on each child's unique needs and strengths, ensuring that our evaluations and recommendations are tailored to your child's strengths and challenges

Our goal is not just to provide a diagnosis, but to help families understand their child’s strengths, needs, and support options moving forward.

Based on an accurate diagnosis, we develop targeted interventions and individualized care plans that address your child's unique needs. Personalized treatment plans for ASD may include a mix of therapies to best support your child's development and progress.

Why Early Autism Testing and Early Intervention Matter

Early autism testing can:

• Provide answers and peace of mind
• Open the door to early intervention and therapy services
• Help guide educational and therapy planning
• Reduce uncertainty during a stressful time
• Ensure an accurate diagnosis, which leads to personalized treatment plans and access to support services for families affected

Timely support enhances daily functioning and fosters the development of essential skills for autistic individuals.

Families do not need to wait for a pediatrician referral to explore autism testing, and you do not need to have every question answered before scheduling an evaluation.

Support Beyond the Evaluation

Because our Early Autism Testing Clinic is part of North Shore Pediatric Therapy, families have access to a full continuum of care. Autism care involves a multidisciplinary approach, including behavioral therapy, parent training, and support from pediatric autism specialists. There is no one standard treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); instead, personalized treatment plans may include a mix of therapies tailored to each child's needs. Building a support system with therapists and support groups is also essential for parents of autistic children. If an evaluation identifies areas where support may help, our team can seamlessly connect families to:

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• ABA therapy
• Interdisciplinary care across services

This integrated model helps families move from questions to action—without starting over somewhere new.

How Pediatric Therapy Can Help After Concerns Are Raised

You do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis to begin therapy. Many children qualify for services based on developmental delays alone.

Pediatric therapy may support:

• Communication and language development
• Social interaction and play skills
• Sensory regulation
• Behavior and emotional regulation
• Daily living and independence skills
• Alternative communication (AAC) tools for children with limited or no speech

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and counseling are effective strategies for addressing disruptive behaviors in autistic children. Many autistic children may require assistance with everyday tasks, and supporting a child's behavior and social skills is essential for their overall development.

Therapy can also support executive functioning and address learning disorders that may be identified during developmental assessments.

Early support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development and confidence.

Supporting Families Across Chicagoland

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we work closely with families who are just beginning their autism journey. We help parents understand recommendations, coordinate care, and access therapy services that support the whole child.

Behavioral pediatrics specialists can help monitor a child's growth and development, providing specialized evaluation and personalized care for children with developmental delays, autism, Down syndrome, and related conditions. Developmental monitoring is an active, ongoing process of observing a child's growth and encouraging conversations between parents and providers about a child's skills and abilities.

Our team regularly partners with pediatricians, schools, and specialists throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to ensure families feel supported—not overwhelmed.

Building a Support Network for Autism

Creating a strong support network is one of the most important steps families can take after an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Children on the autism spectrum benefit most when the people in their lives—family members, caregivers, healthcare providers, and educators—work together to provide consistent, tailored interventions and support services.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Starting the conversation about autism can feel emotional and uncertain—but it’s also a powerful act of advocacy. Asking questions and seeking answers helps ensure your child gets the support they need to thrive.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, we’re here to help guide you through next steps.

📍 Serving families throughout Chicago and the Chicagoland area
📞 Contact North Shore Pediatric Therapy to learn more about autism evaluations and pediatric therapy services.