✦ NO WAITLIST ✦ LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
Autism Diagnostic Evaluations in Triangle Area
Answers in Weeks, Not Months
Get a licensed psychologist-led autism evaluation for your child, ages 18 months to 14 years, right here in the Research Triangle Area. Skip the 6–12 month hospital waitlist and get the clarity your family deserves, without the long wait.
✔ ADOS-2 Gold-Standard Testing
✔ Most insurance accepted, including Medicaid — we verify your benefits for free
✔ Comprehensive written report delivered within 2 weeks of testing
✔ Direct path to therapy — start ABA services without a second waitlist
Request Your Child’s Evaluation
Free benefits check — our team responds within one business day.
★★★★★ Trusted by Families Across the Triangle Area, NC
We Accept Most Insurance Providers
Autism testing across the Research Triangle Area, NC is covered under most insurance plans. We take care of verification and authorization for you.
Trusted Autism Therapy Clinic In the Triangle Area
Serving families across Wake County, including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary, and nearby Triangle communities with autism testing and diagnostic evaluations.
Welcome to AutismCOE, the Triangle’s trusted provider of autism therapy. Our compassionate, evidence-based methods help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) make real progress, improving their skills and overall quality of life.
Our ABA Therapy Clinic
1000 Park Forty Plaza, Suite #110,
Durham, NC 27713
Why Families Choose AutismCOE
Developmental pediatricians and clinics across North Carolina routinely quote 6–12 month waits for an autism evaluation. Early diagnosis means earlier intervention and research consistently shows earlier intervention drives better outcomes.
From your first call to a written diagnostic report — typically completed in under 6 weeks, including insurance authorization.
Licensed Psychologist-Led
Every evaluation is conducted and signed by a licensed psychologist with expertise in early childhood development accepted by insurers, schools, and physicians.
Gold-Standard Tools (ADOS-2)
We use the most respected, research-validated assessment instruments, administered in a gentle, play-based setting your child will actually enjoy.
A Report You Can Use Immediately
Your comprehensive written report supports insurance authorization, IEP and school services, and therapy planning delivered within 2 weeks of testing.
One Team From Diagnosis to Therapy
A qualifying diagnosis means your child moves straight into ABA, speech, or our Early Intervention Program no new provider search, no second waitlist to sit through.
Is an Evaluation Right for Your Child?
Signs Parents Often Notice First. You know your child better than anyone, and trusting that instinct matters. If any of these feel familiar, an evaluation can give you clear answers whatever the outcome may be.
Limited eye contact, or no response to their name by 12 months
Repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning
Choosing to play alone, or struggling to connect with other kids
Delayed speech, words that disappear, or few gestures like pointing and waving
Strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, or changes in routine
Narrow, intense interests, or lining up toys rather than imaginative play
A diagnosis isn’t a label — it’s a roadmap. And if it’s not autism, you’ll know that too.
3 Steps to Clear Answers
Our staff supports you at each step — including all insurance paperwork.
1
Your Initial Consultation
We sit down with you (in person or by phone) to hear your story, review your child’s developmental history, and verify your insurance benefits. A no-judgment zone where your observations are valued.
2
The Evaluation
Using gold-standard tools like the ADOS-2, our licensed psychologist interacts with your child in a gentle, play-based session — observing communication, social, and behavioral patterns to build an accurate picture.
3
Results & Your Roadmap
We explain the findings in clear, simple language and hand you a comprehensive written report — with personalized recommendations for therapy, school support, and community resources.
What’s Included in Your Child’s Evaluation
Our evaluation process is designed to provide families with clear, evidence-based answers and a complete understanding of their child’s developmental needs.
🗣️
Parent Interview & History
A guided conversation covering developmental milestones, medical background, and the everyday observations only you would know.
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ADOS-2 Direct Assessment
A hands-on, play-based session where we observe communication, social interaction, and behavior, tailored to your child’s age and language ability.
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Standardized Rating Scales
Research-backed questionnaires for parents and caregivers that benchmark your child’s development against typical milestones.
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Written Report & Feedback Session
A complete diagnostic report recognized by insurance providers and schools, paired with a 1:1 session to review findings and plan next steps.
What Happens After Diagnosis
A Diagnosis Is the Beginning — Not the End
Most families hit a second waitlist right after diagnosis: searching for an ABA provider, redoing insurance verification, and waiting months before therapy actually starts. At AutismCOE, our diagnostic and therapy teams work together under one roof.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, we can begin insurance authorization for ABA therapy in the Research Triangle Area, NC that same week, with both center-based and in-home services available throughout the region.
YOUR CHILD’S PATH AT AUTISMCOE
Diagnostic Evaluation
Insurance Authorization
Personalized Treatment Plan
Therapy Begins
Your Evaluation Is in Expert Hands
Dr. Kellea Stone, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in autism evaluations. Every assessment is personally conducted by Dr. Stone using the ADOS-2, the gold-standard tool for autism diagnosis, along with a comprehensive parent interview. Families receive clear answers, a thorough diagnostic report, and a compassionate evaluation experience they can trust.
Credentials at a Glance
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Psy.D.)
- Trained ADOS-2 Clinician
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Specialist
- Serving NC, VA & MD through AutismCOE
“Every family deserves clarity—not another year of waiting.” — Dr. Kellea Stone, Psy.D.
Trusted by Families Across the Greater Triangle Area
Autism Center of Excellence has been a life-changer for our family. Our son was diagnosed with autism at 6 years old and we were overwhelmed and scared. Autism COE helped us understand his needs and strengths and provided him with individualized and evidence-based ABA therapy. He has learned so many skills and gained so much confidence. We can’t thank them enough for their support and guidance.
Parent of K*, 6 years old.
Let’s Take the First Step Together
One call. Free benefits check. Answers for your family in weeks — not months.
✦ Evaluation Appointments are Limited Each Month — Reserve Yours Today
Frequently Asked Questions & Answer
Got Questions? We Have Answers.
Find answers to common questions about autism evaluations.
How Quickly Can My Child Be Seen for an Autism Evaluation?
Most families in the Triangle Area, NC get an appointment within 2 to 4 weeks, compared to the 6–12 month wait common at larger clinics. Because every autism evaluation is personally conducted by Dr. Stone, scheduling stays fast without sacrificing thoroughness.
Is the Evaluation Covered by Insurance?
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, and we verify your benefits before your appointment so you know your costs upfront. If your plan doesn’t cover the full evaluation, we’ll walk you through self-pay options too.
What Ages Do You Evaluate?
We provide autism testing for children ages 18 months through 14 years. Evaluating early, ideally before age 5, opens the best window for early intervention services like ABA and speech therapy.
Who Performs the Evaluation?
Every assessment is personally conducted by Dr. Kellea Stone, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her diagnostic reports are accepted by insurers, schools, and pediatricians across North Carolina.
Do You Evaluate Children for ADHD As Well?
Yes. ADHD symptoms often overlap with autism, so we screen for both when warranted. Standardized testing helps determine whether one, both, or neither diagnosis fits your child.
What If My Child Doesn't Receive an Autism Diagnosis?
Not every evaluation ends in an autism diagnosis, and that’s a meaningful answer too. If testing points to something else, like ADHD or a speech delay, we’ll explain the findings and guide you toward the right next step.
Do I Need a Referral From My Pediatrician?
No referral is required to schedule an evaluation with us. Parents can book directly, and we’re happy to share results with your child’s pediatrician afterward.
Can My Child Start ABA Therapy After Diagnosis?
Yes. Children who receive a diagnosis can move directly into our ABA therapy, speech therapy, or Early Intervention Program, skipping a second waitlist entirely.
Can ADHD and Autism Have Similar Symptoms?
Yes. ADHD and ASD often share overlapping traits like inattention, impulsivity, and social communication struggles. A comprehensive autism assessment, including the ADOS-2, helps tell the two apart or identify when both are present.
How Is Autism Diagnosed?
Autism is diagnosed through a parent interview, direct observation using the ADOS-2 gold-standard assessment, and standardized rating scales comparing your child’s development to typical milestones. A licensed psychologist reviews all three before reaching a diagnosis.
Where Can I Get My Child Diagnosed for Autism Near Me?
Families across the Triangle Area, NC can schedule an in-person autism evaluation with AutismCOE. Our psychologist-led process typically takes just 2 to 4 weeks from first call to diagnostic report.
Who Is Qualified to Diagnose Autism?
An autism diagnosis must be made by a qualified provider, such as a licensed clinical psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist trained in tools like the ADOS-2. At AutismCOE, every diagnosis is made personally by Dr. Stone.