Concerned About Autism? How to Get Your 3–4-Year-Old Evaluated in Colorado

Published November 13, 2026

A parent-friendly, step-by-step guide to Colorado Child Find and medical autism evaluation for preschoolers ages 3–4, with call scripts, preparation tips, timelines, and verified official links.

Quick answer: If you are concerned about autism or another developmental difference, you can start two evaluation paths at the same time: Colorado Child Find through the public school system, and a medical autism evaluation through your child’s healthcare provider. You do not need to wait for one before starting the other.

These paths answer different questions:

Child Find decides whether your child has an educational disability and needs preschool special education or related services. It is free for families.
A medical evaluation decides whether your child meets clinical criteria for autism or another developmental condition and helps guide healthcare recommendations.

A school evaluation is not the same as a medical diagnosis, and a medical diagnosis does not automatically create an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

1. Write down what you are noticing

You do not need to be sure that your child is autistic before asking for help. Make a short list of specific examples, including your child’s strengths. You might note:

language or communication differences;
limited response to their name, pointing, sharing interests, or back-and-forth play;
repetitive movements, play, or speech;
strong reactions to sound, clothing, food textures, light, or changes in routine;
differences in pretend play, peer interaction, sleep, feeding, toileting, or safety;
skills your child once used but no longer uses.

Ask preschool, daycare, or other caregivers for examples from their setting. Bring any previous screening results, therapy notes, hearing or vision information, and short videos that clearly show a concern if the evaluator accepts them.

2. Contact Colorado Child Find

For children ages 3 through 5, Colorado school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) handle Child Find. A referral can be made whenever there is a concern about a preschool child’s development. The process may include gathering family information, screening, and a full evaluation. There is no charge to the family.

Use the Colorado Child Find Contact Directory to find the contact for the area where your child lives. If your child attends a preschool that is considered a school, ask the Child Find contact which administrative unit is responsible.

What to say:

I am the parent of a 3- or 4-year-old and I am concerned about my child’s communication, social interaction, play, sensory needs, or development. I would like to make a Child Find referral and request an evaluation for preschool special education. Please tell me the next steps and send me the consent forms in writing.

Keep a copy of your email or letter and note the date. Child Find staff cannot evaluate your child without written parental permission. When the district or BOCES receives your written consent to evaluate, Colorado guidance says the initial special education evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days, subject to limited exceptions.

3. Contact your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider

Tell the provider exactly what you are seeing and ask for a developmental assessment and an autism diagnostic evaluation. A screening questionnaire can identify whether more evaluation is needed, but a screening by itself is not a diagnosis.

Some trained primary care providers diagnose autism. Others refer families to a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, psychologist, neurologist, or another clinician qualified to evaluate autism. Ask:

“Can you complete the diagnostic evaluation, or will you refer us?”
“Should my child also have hearing, vision, speech-language, developmental, or other medical assessments?”
“Which evaluators accept our insurance, and is a referral or prior authorization required?”
“What support can begin while we wait?”

If the first specialist has a long waitlist, ask to be placed on the cancellation list and request referrals to more than one qualified provider. Call the number on your insurance card or Health First Colorado plan for an up-to-date list of covered evaluators.

4. Start both paths now

You do not need a medical autism diagnosis before contacting Child Find. You also do not need to wait for the school evaluation before asking for a medical evaluation. Starting both paths can reduce delays and provides a fuller picture of your child’s needs across home, school, and healthcare settings.

5. What the evaluations may include

Child Find evaluation: The team may look at communication, learning, social-emotional development, movement, adaptive skills, hearing, vision, play, and participation in everyday preschool activities. The family is part of the team. If your child is eligible for preschool special education, the team develops an IEP describing goals and services.

Medical autism evaluation: The clinician usually reviews developmental and medical history, interviews caregivers, observes your child, and may use standardized tools. The evaluator should also consider other explanations or co-occurring needs. No blood test, brain scan, or single questionnaire can diagnose autism by itself.

6. Prepare for appointments

Write a one-page timeline of milestones, concerns, strengths, and any loss of skills.
List medications, health conditions, sleep or feeding concerns, and family history.
Bring preschool observations, prior evaluations, screening results, therapy notes, and hearing or vision reports.
Bring comfort items, snacks, communication supports, or headphones your child uses.
Ask for an interpreter or accessibility accommodations when scheduling if your family needs them.
Write down your questions and take notes during the meeting.

7. After the evaluations

Ask for written copies of all reports and recommendations. Read them carefully and request plain-language explanations for anything unclear.

If Child Find finds your child eligible, participate in developing the IEP and ask how each service connects to your child’s needs.
If the school declines to evaluate or finds your child ineligible, ask for the decision and reasons in writing, along with your procedural safeguards.
If a clinician diagnoses autism or another condition, ask what supports are recommended, what is covered by insurance, and who will coordinate care.
If an evaluation does not result in a diagnosis but concerns continue, discuss follow-up, another qualified opinion, and support for the specific needs that were identified.

A simple checklist for today

Write down three to five specific examples of your concerns and your child’s strengths.
Contact the local Child Find office and request a referral or evaluation.
Book a pediatrician or primary care appointment and ask for a medical autism evaluation or referral.
Call your insurer about covered evaluators and waitlists.
Gather preschool notes, screening results, therapy records, and hearing or vision information.
Keep a dated folder of every call, email, consent form, report, and decision.

Verified official guidance

Last reviewed November 13, 2026. This guide is general educational information, not medical or legal advice. A qualified professional should evaluate your child’s individual needs. If your child is under age 3, use Colorado’s Early Intervention referral system instead of the preschool Child Find pathway described here.

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