You've watched, wondered, and searched more than anyone around you realizes. Our Des Plaines center — the nearest of our testing clinics, about a 35-minute drive northwest of Chicago — tests children 4 and under with a play-based evaluation, usually within two weeks, and most insurance covers it.
Our Des Plaines center — about a 35-minute drive from Chicago, to the northwest — is where our Neuropsychology team provides autism testing. It's the nearest of our testing clinics — and for many families, worth the drive for answers they can't get faster anywhere else.
Testing happens here — not a referral out.
The assessment takes place at our Des Plaines center, 950 Lee St — on Lee Street, four blocks south of downtown Des Plaines and the Metra station, with free covered parking.
Neuropsychology on site.
Diagnostic questions are handled by our own doctors. No outside waitlist, no re-telling your story.
Appointments in two weeks or less.
Immediate availability for children 4 and under, while most providers quote 6-12 months.
Answers that lead somewhere.
If therapy is the next step, ABA, speech, and OT are all under the same roof.
To your child, it looks like play. To us, it's the gold standard ADOS-2 evalution.
Your child stacks blocks, looks at pictures, and does puzzles while our Neuropsychology team observes the social, communication, and emotional cues that matter. One parent stays in the room the whole time. Intake, testing, and feedback are usually completed in a single visit.
The ADOS-2 engages your child in natural activities — no flashcards, no pressure — to assess the behaviors central to an accurate diagnosis.
Alongside the ADOS-2, we gather an in-depth intake and input from parents and teachers, so the answer reflects your whole child.
One parent is present throughout and may be asked to join in, because your child is most themselves with you nearby.
There's no single sign, but these are the things parents most often tell us they noticed first. If a few feel familiar, an assessment can bring clarity (and often, relief).
Not talking yet, losing words they had, not responding to their name, or not pointing to share things they find interesting.
Limited eye contact, not so interested in other kids, or playing with toys in a repetitive or unusual way.
Strong reactions to sounds, textures, or change; needing routines to feel just-so; or repeating movements to self-regulate.
Every month of waiting is a month of lying awake wondering — and a month earlier support could have started. So we built for speed, without cutting corners.
Our closest testing location for Chicago families is the Des Plaines center at 950 Lee St — about a 35-minute drive away, to the northwest. It's on Lee Street, four blocks south of downtown Des Plaines and the Metra station, with free covered parking, and our Neuropsychology team provides the full autism evaluation there, so you can get real answers without the 6–12 month wait families face elsewhere.
For children 4 and under, we can usually schedule intake, testing, and feedback within about two weeks — compared with the 6–12 month waits common elsewhere. Spots fill quickly, so we encourage families to reach out as soon as possible.
A diagnosis isn't the end of the story — it's the beginning of a plan. If therapy is the right next step, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy are available at our Des Plaines center and other nearby locations, so your family doesn't have to start over with someone new.
Our Early Autism Testing Clinic prioritizes children 4 years and under, where early answers make the biggest difference. For older children and other neuropsychological evaluations, we also offer comprehensive testing (currently booking further out).
In most cases, yes — autism testing is covered by most major insurance providers. We'll run a benefits check with you before your visit so you have a clear picture of coverage, co-pays, and deductibles.
The ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition) is the "gold standard" tool for identifying or ruling out autism. It's a play-based assessment that observes how your child interacts, communicates, and engages — combined with a parent intake for the full picture.
We understand the importance of early autism diagnosis and specialized neuropsychological testing. As one of the leading providers of autism testing in the Chicagoland area, we are experiencing a high demand for assessments. However, we make it a priority to accommodate young children as quickly as possible for autism evaluations.
If your child is 4 years old or younger and has been referred for autism testing, we offer:
For all other neuropsychological testing and assessments outside of autism evaluations, we are currently booking appointments 5-6 months in advance due to high demand.
We are committed to providing thorough, compassionate care to help identify and support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as early as possible.
We understand the importance of early autism diagnosis and specialized neuropsychological testing. As one of the leading providers of autism testing in the Chicagoland area, we are experiencing a high demand for assessments. However, we make it a priority to accommodate young children as quickly as possible for autism evaluations.
If your child is 4 years old or younger and has been referred for autism testing, we offer:
For all other neuropsychological testing and assessments outside of autism evaluations, we are currently booking appointments 5-6 months in advance due to high demand.
We are committed to providing thorough, compassionate care to help identify and support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as early as possible.
We understand the importance of early autism diagnosis and specialized neuropsychological testing. As one of the leading providers of autism testing in the Chicagoland area, we are experiencing a high demand for assessments. However, we make it a priority to accommodate young children as quickly as possible for autism evaluations.
If your child is 4 years old or younger and has been referred for autism testing, we offer:
For all other neuropsychological testing and assessments outside of autism evaluations, we are currently booking appointments 5-6 months in advance due to high demand.
We are committed to providing thorough, compassionate care to help identify and support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as early as possible.
Our Neuropsychology team specializes in autism diagnosis and utilizes the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition), recognized as the "gold standard" for identifying or ruling out autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This autism assessment is primarily play-based, designed to observe how a child interacts with their environment, probing for key social, communication, and emotional behaviors.
Key elements of the ADOS-2 assessment include:
During the assessment, one parent is always present and may be asked to participate at certain times to help provide a complete picture of the child's behavior and interactions.
Our team is dedicated to providing thorough and compassionate autism evaluations, ensuring you receive the most accurate and timely diagnosis for your child.
Our early intervention services are offered independently, with no affiliation with the Illinois Early Intervention Program. However, our therapists have deep experience working with children of all ages, especially those 3 years old and younger. Our private practice provides a range of therapies, including speech, occupational, physical, mental health, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and autism or comprehensive neuropsychological testing, tailored to meet the unique needs of each child.
While both programs aim to support children's development, there are a few important differences. You should make the most appropriate and reasonable decision for your family and child’s current situation.
We're on Lee St between Oakwood Ave and Thacker St, right across from where Ashland Ave meets Lee St — four blocks south of downtown Des Plaines and the Metra station. Coming from O'Hare, Mannheim Rd turns into Lee St. Free parking in the covered lot (a gift on rainy and snowy days).
Our Des Plaines ABA Therapy & Pediatric Therapy center proudly serves families in Des Plaines and nearby communities, including Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, Glenview, and Niles.
No matter where you're coming from, our team is here to support your child's growth and well-being.
Monday to Friday: 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm
Sunday: closed
We're on Lee St between Oakwood Ave and Thacker St, right across from where Ashland Ave meets Lee St — four blocks south of downtown Des Plaines and the Metra station. Coming from O'Hare, Mannheim Rd turns into Lee St. Free parking in the covered lot (a gift on rainy and snowy days).
Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm
Sunday: closed
I can’t say enough good things about NSPT - Des Plaines! My son has been going here for 2 years now and I honestly am not sure where we’d be without them! From our BCBA, Michelle, to all the RBTs/BTs, to the OTs, STs, MHTs, to the office staff, everyone is so welcoming and have taken my son in with so much care! My husband and I have learned so much, with the help of his team, on how to help our son grow and thrive! Highly recommend!
Excellent evaluation experience for pediatric autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Professional, competent staff with clear communication. Highly recommended!
The whole team is amazing and so caring. We are so thankful and grateful to have you. Thank you for all you do for our kids.
Loved the team and their patience with the amount of questions I had. Thank you!
Tell us a little about your child, and we'll take it from there — a benefits check, a date on the calendar, and answers within weeks.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy provides compassionate, neuroaffirming care for children and families. Our expert team offers autism testing, ABA therapy, speech, occupational, and physical therapy. For over 25 years, we’ve partnered with families to help every child grow, learn, and thrive.
Services at North Shore Pediatric Therapy and Gracent Pediatric Therapy centers are provided by affiliated professional corporations.
