As research on autism spectrum disorder has increased and the criteria for diagnoses have changed, more children and families are navigating how to access support and resources. One in 31 children in the United States were identified with autism spectrum disorder in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For parents who suspect their child may need additional support and resources, the process can feel confusing. Nevada has only 23 clinicians authorized to conduct autism diagnoses for a population of more than 3.2 million, according to the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division and U.S. Census Bureau data. Many families rely on school district assessments to access school-related resources, but those are not considered medical diagnoses and cannot be used for insurance coverage.
The (UCAN) is one approved organization that conducts autism assessments and provides a pathway to care for children and families. The multi-disciplinary team conducts a free, comprehensive assessment featuring child psychiatrists, child psychologists, school psychologists, an occupational therapist, marriage and family therapist, speech-language pathologists and a developmental specialist.
“We use a lot of on-campus programs while building relationships in the community so we can assist our clients and families, to make the pathway easier,” said Stephanie King, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, director of UCAN. “We are working hard to establish collaborations with our on-campus resources to assist families and reduce our redundancy as UCAN has previously provided case management services as well. By utilizing our on-campus and community resources, we are working more efficiently and increasing availability to work with families in need.”
To provide clarity for families, UCAN outlines the diagnostic process. A referral is needed from a medical or licensed professional to start the process. Although a school assessment may occur to determine academic support strategies, it is not the same as a medical assessment, which is required for insurance coverage and community-based services. Not all the following steps are required, but when they are, they typically occur in this order:
Step 1: Autism Diagnostic Interview with family, which can be done online. This is especially helpful for rural families. In fiscal year 2024-25, half of the families UCAN supported lived in rural Nevada. The interview is a standardized, semi-structured assessment of the child.
Step 2: An adaptive scale assessment, conducted online or in person, to evaluate what the child can do and to assess behavior. This review covers communication, daily living skills, socialization and motor skills.
Step 3: An in-clinic comprehensive language evaluation and behavioral observation with the speech-language pathologist to see the child outside the home.
Step 4: An evaluation with an occupational therapist to measure and understand the individual’s unique patterns of sensory processing, which may be conducted online or by phone to improve access for rural families.
Step 5: If cognitive difficulties are suspected, a psychologist conducts an observation and standardized assessment.
Step 6: This is considered the official “UCAN Day” where the multidisciplinary team comes together to complete the autism assessment, review findings from previous assessments, and share findings along with providing recommendations. The parents are brought in after the completion of all testing and team discussions to provide results, discuss concerns, and provide recommendations and next steps.
Step 7: Results are reviewed with the family from the clinic coordinator either in person or online, along with an action plan that includes free resources when possible and guidance for working with insurance. Families without insurance receive information on assistance programs and school-based support.
UCAN also provides follow-up for families after diagnosis including:
- Parent to Parent, part of the Family Navigation Network, helps support families and individuals with disabilities. This resource provides follow-up for families.
- Nevada Center of Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) collaborates with and supports UCAN operations. The NCED delivers high-quality training for community members and professionals, while also offering a range of programs and services designed to assist and support families.
- Positive Behavior Interventions provides classes for picky eaters, toilet training and so much more.
- School District Family Resource Centers, such as the one in , support families with Individualized Education Plans for students who may need additional resources at school.
- Nevada Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NvLEND) provide trainings for families, service providers and healthcare professionals to develop high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence. This program is under NCED as well.
“We hope we can provide enough individualized support for families to help them,” said Melissa McGovern, UCAN clinic coordinator. “We can also connect families with support groups created by local parents. Some resources have wait lists, so we encourage parents to reach out each month to confirm their space.”
In addition to the assessment, UCAN plans to expand services to include parent training and is actively seeking community support to provide this service. UCAN currently provides training to students studying speech pathology, medical residents and psychiatry fellows, as well as community providers such as pediatricians, school psychologists and special education teachers. The training is focused on interdisciplinary team assessments and evidence-based practice in neurodevelopmental disorders.
“Having gone through the UCAN assessment makes a huge difference in my support for other families,” said Stephanie Garcia, UCAN Family Navigator at NCED. “I know what the wait feels like, what the assessment process is like, and how much information can come at you all at once. I remember wondering what to do after getting the results, and that helps me guide families through those same questions. Because I've been through it myself, I can explain the process clearly, prepare them for what's next, and reassure them that they'll make it through. I also know that the assessment is just the starting point, so I help families determine their next steps, whether that's therapy, school support or community resources.”
