By Tracy Burton
Mom, Board Certified Pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer at As You Are
Dr. Tracy Burton is a board-certified pediatrician and the Chief Medical Officer at As You Are. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Burton is dedicated to providing timely, compassionate care to families navigating developmental concerns. She completed her medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and her residency at the University of South Florida. Dr. Burton is licensed to practice in multiple states, including Texas, California, and New York.
For many families of children with autism, receiving an initial diagnosis is just the beginning of their journey. According to the CDC, autism is a lifelong developmental disability—yet access to re-evaluation services remains highly inconsistent across the U.S. Autism re- evaluations in older kids is a growing need as teens face changing support requirements. As children grow and develop, particularly as they enter adolescence, their needs evolve – and so do the requirements for maintaining their support services.
The Re-Evaluation Challenge
Across the country, families face a significant challenge when their children need updated autism evaluations. Many states require re-evaluation every 2-3 years to maintain educational accommodations. Insurance companies often require current documentation to continue covering therapeutic services like ABA, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.
Yet, finding providers who offer re-evaluations for adolescents can be extraordinarily difficult:
- The national average wait time for adolescent developmental evaluations spans 12-18 months
- Many providers focus primarily on initial diagnoses for younger children
- Rural and underserved communities face even longer waits
This gap in care creates a troubling scenario where children who have been previously diagnosed and are receiving beneficial services suddenly face interruption in support during critical developmental transitions.
Why Adolescent Re-Evaluations Matter
The adolescent years bring significant changes – new academic demands, social complexities, and preparation for increasing independence. For autistic adolescents, these years are particularly important for several reasons:
- Educational Transitions: Moving from elementary to middle school, or middle to high school, often requires updated documentation to ensure appropriate accommodations.
- Evolving Presentation: Autism characteristics may present differently in adolescence than in early childhood, potentially requiring adjustments to support strategies.
- Therapeutic Needs: The types and intensity of therapeutic interventions often change during adolescence, requiring updated evaluations to guide appropriate services.
- Preparation for Adulthood: For older teens, evaluations become crucial for transition planning and establishing eligibility for adult services.
Learn more about autism diagnosis criteria and how traits may evolve during adolescence via Autism Speaks.
Want to learn how telehealth can help address these challenges? Read part two of our series: Telehealth Solutions for Adolescent Re-Evaluations.
If your older child needs an autism re-evaluation now, our team is here to help.
