✦ NO WAITLIST ✦ LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
Autism Diagnostic Evaluations in Petersburg
Answers in Weeks, Not Months
Licensed psychologists provide in-person autism diagnostic evaluations in Petersburg, VA for children ages 18 months to 14 years, giving your family the clarity you need without a long hospital waitlist.
✔ 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 Petersburg, VA & Beyond
We Accept Most Insurance Providers
Autism testing in Petersburg, VA is covered by most major insurance plans. We handle verification and prior authorization on your behalf.
Best ABA Therapy in Petersburg, VA
Serving Petersburg, Chester, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Dinwiddie County and Prince George County.
AutismCOE is a trusted provider of autism diagnostic evaluations in Petersburg, VA, offering comprehensive autism testing alongside ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
Our licensed psychologists use gold-standard assessment tools to provide accurate, reliable evaluations, while our Board Certified Behavior Analysts help families transition smoothly into ABA therapy when appropriate.
Why Families Choose AutismCOE
Pediatric hospitals and developmental pediatricians across Petersburg, VA regularly have months-long waitlists for autism testing. 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 autism evaluation in Petersburg 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 for autism testing, administered in a calm, play-based setting your child will feel comfortable in.
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
If your child qualifies, they can move directly into our ABA, speech, and Early Intervention Program with no second provider search and no second waitlist.
Is an Evaluation Right for Your Child?
Signs Parents Often Notice First. You know your child better than anyone. If any of these feel familiar, an autism evaluation can give your family clear answers, whatever the outcome.
Limited eye contact, or not responding to their name by 12 months
Preferring to play alone, or difficulty engaging with other children
Strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, or changes in routine
Repetitive movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning
Delayed speech, loss of words, or limited gestures like pointing and waving
Intense, narrow interests or lining up toys instead of pretend 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
Every evaluation is carefully designed to deliver accurate insights, meaningful recommendations, and the guidance families need to make informed decisions.
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Parent Interview & History
A structured developmental history covering milestones, medical background, and your observations from daily life with your child.
🧸
ADOS-2 Direct Assessment
Play-based, standardized observation of communication, social interaction, and behavior, matched to your child’s age and language level.
📋
Standardized Rating Scales
Validated parent and caregiver questionnaires that measure your child’s development against same-age peers.
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Written Report & Feedback Session
A full diagnostic report accepted by Petersburg area insurers and schools, plus a dedicated 1:1 session to review results and map out your next steps.
What Happens After Diagnosis
A Diagnosis Is the Beginning — Not the End
Many Petersburg families find themselves stuck on a second waitlist right after diagnosis, searching for an ABA provider, going through insurance verification all over again, and waiting additional months before therapy even begins.
AutismCOE eliminates that gap by keeping your evaluation and therapy team in one place. Once your child is diagnosed, we kick off insurance authorization for ABA therapy in Petersburg that same week, with in-home therapy options available throughout Petersburg and across Virginia.
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 in Petersburg, VA
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 in Petersburg, VA?
Most families are scheduled for autism testing in Petersburg within weeks, not months, which is far faster than the timelines families typically face at pediatric hospitals and developmental clinics. Our streamlined intake process moves you from your first phone call to a scheduled evaluation quickly, so your family is not left waiting for answers during an already stressful time.
Is Autism Testing in Petersburg, VA Covered by Insurance?
Yes, autism diagnostic evaluations in Petersburg are covered by most major insurance plans, including many private and employer-sponsored plans. Our team handles insurance verification and prior authorization on your behalf from the moment you reach out, so you do not have to navigate paperwork or coverage questions before your child is even seen.
What Ages Do You Evaluate?
We evaluate children ages 18 months to 14 years, using standardized tools that are matched to each child’s developmental stage, language level, and individual needs. Whether you have concerns about a toddler who is not yet talking or an older child struggling socially at school, our psychologists adapt the evaluation process to get an accurate picture at any age within that range.
Who Performs the Evaluation?
Every evaluation is conducted and personally signed by a licensed psychologist with specialized expertise in early childhood development and autism spectrum assessment. This ensures your child’s results carry the clinical weight needed to be accepted by insurers, schools, and physicians when it comes time to access services or accommodations.
Do You Evaluate Children for ADHD?
Yes, our licensed psychologists assess for ADHD alongside autism, since the two conditions are frequently evaluated together to build a complete and accurate developmental picture. Separating overlapping symptoms is an important part of the diagnostic process, and our team is trained to distinguish between the two or identify when both are present.
What Areas Do You Serve Near Petersburg?
We provide autism diagnostic evaluations and in-home ABA therapy throughout Petersburg, Chester, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Dinwiddie County, and Prince George County. Families across this region can access the same licensed psychologists, gold-standard assessment tools, and coordinated therapy team regardless of which nearby community they call home.
Can ADHD and Autism Have Similar Symptoms?
Yes, attention difficulties, impulsivity, and social communication challenges can overlap significantly between ADHD and autism, which often makes it hard for parents and even some providers to tell the two apart without formal testing. This overlap is exactly why a thorough evaluation by a licensed psychologist matters, since it allows for an accurate diagnosis rather than a guess based on surface-level behaviors.
What If My Child Does Not Receive an Autism Diagnosis?
If your child does not meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis, you’ll still walk away with a full written report outlining clear findings from the evaluation. Where relevant, we also provide recommendations for other services or specialists that may better address your child’s specific needs.
Do I Need a Referral from My Pediatrician?
No, a physician referral is not required to schedule an autism evaluation with our team. That said, we are happy to coordinate directly with your child’s pediatrician before or after testing if you would like us to share findings or discuss next steps together.
Can My Child Start ABA Therapy After Diagnosis?
Yes, if your child qualifies for services, we begin insurance authorization for in-home ABA therapy that same week. Keeping evaluation and therapy under one coordinated team means there is no second provider search, no repeated insurance verification, and no second waitlist standing between your child and support.
What Is the ADOS-2 and Why Does It Matter?
The ADOS-2 is a gold-standard, research-validated assessment tool that observes a child’s communication, social interaction, and behavior within a structured, play-based setting designed to feel natural and comfortable. It remains one of the most trusted instruments in autism diagnostics because it is standardized, meaning results can be compared consistently across children and reliably interpreted by other professionals.
How Long Does an Autism Evaluation Take?
The evaluation itself is typically completed in a single structured session, during which your child engages in play-based activities alongside a parent interview and standardized questionnaires. Your comprehensive written report, along with a dedicated feedback session to walk through the results, is delivered within 2 weeks of testing.