NO WAITLIST · STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO
Worried about autism in your toddler?
Dr. Luisa, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist (Colorado #3492), tests toddlers as young as 14 months old, and young children for autism in person at her Steamboat Springs office, with no waitlist and results in as little as two weeks. Dr. Luisa has tested and diagnosed hundreds of children throughout Colorado during her 12 years as Lead Psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Developmental Pediatrics & Autism Department.
Not ready to call? Take Dr. Luisa's free autism screener
ON THIS PAGE
SIGNS BY AGE
What are the signs of autism in toddlers?
The most common early signs of autism in toddlers are not responding to their name, not pointing or waving to share interest, little babbling or few words, and repetitive play like lining up toys. One sign alone isn't autism. A group of signs that lasts for weeks and is observed regularly is a reason to get your toddler evaluated.
14 to 18 months
Doesn't turn when you call their name
Doesn't point to show you things, or wave bye-bye
Few or no words by 16 to 18 months
Rarely looks where you point
2 years
Few two-word phrases, like "more milk"
Leads you by the hand instead of pointing or asking
Doesn't bring toys over just to show you
Lines up toys or plays the same way every time
3 years
Not talking in clear phrases yet
Repeats lines from shows instead of talking with you
Little pretend play, like feeding a doll
Big meltdowns over small changes
4 to 5 years
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Hard time with back-and-forth conversation
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Struggles to join play or make friends
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Intense focus on one topic, rigid routines
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Strong reactions to sounds, textures, or foods
Seeing several of these? Take Dr. Luisa's free autism screener
Losing words or skills at any age is a reason to call your pediatrician right away.
Social, affectionate, great eye contact, or learning two languages? None of those rule out autism. It looks different in every child.
LATE TALKER OR AUTISM?
Is it a speech delay or autism?
A toddler with only a speech delay usually still connects in other ways: they point, wave, look at you to share excitement, and turn when you call their name. With autism, those social and nonverbal ways of connecting are affected too. Some toddlers have both, and an evaluation is how you tell them apart.
More like a late talker
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Points, waves, and uses gestures
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Brings you toys to show you
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Follows your point and your gaze
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Understands more than they can say
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Plays pretend
Worth an autism evaluation
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Rarely responds to their name
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Few gestures, little or no pointing
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Leads you by the hand to what they want
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Repeats words or lines without using them to talk
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Words that came, then went away
Ask your pediatrician for a hearing check too. Hearing loss can look like a speech delay or autism.
Dr. Luisa's evaluation tells you whether it's autism, a speech delay, or both, and what to do next.
WAIT AND SEE?
Is my toddler too young to be tested for autism?
No. By age 2, an autism diagnosis from an experienced mental health professional is considered reliable, and signs can show at 18 months or younger. Dr. Luisa tests children from 14 months old using the ADOS-2 Toddler Module, which is built for children 12 to 30 months. You don't have to wait until 3 or 4. A child must be able to walk in order to be tested for autism.
Told to "wait and see"?
Pediatricians often suggest waiting, especially with late talkers. Research shows a wait-and-see answer can delay a diagnosis by years. If your gut says something's different, an evaluation gives you an answer either way.
Did your toddler fail the M-CHAT?
The M-CHAT is a 20-question screener pediatricians use at 18 and 24 months. A positive result means "look closer," not "autism." The next step is a full testing evaluation, which is what Dr. Luisa does.
YOUR OPTIONS
How do I get my toddler tested for autism in Steamboat Springs?
You can book an autism evaluation with Dr. Luisa directly, with no referral needed. Start with a free phone consult; she'll tell you whether testing makes sense and what it costs. If your child is under 3, you can also contact Early Intervention at the same time for free developmental support.
FREE · NOT A DIAGNOSIS
Screening
Your pediatrician's M-CHAT at 18 and 24 months, or Dr. Luisa's free online screener. Both flag whether to look closer.
FREE · UNDER 3 · NOT A DIAGNOSIS
Early Intervention
Checks for developmental delays and starts services like speech therapy. Call Early Intervention Colorado at 833-733-3734. Locally, Horizons Specialized Services serves Routt, Moffat, Jackson, and Grand counties; Mountain Valley Developmental Services serves Eagle County.
FREE · AGES 3 TO 5 · NOT A DIAGNOSIS
Child Find
Your school district's preschool evaluation decides if your child qualifies for school services. School eligibility isn't a medical diagnosis.
PRIVATE PAY · DIAGNOSES AUTISM
Autism evaluation with Dr. Luisa
A full evaluation that tells you whether it's autism or something else. From 14 months old, no waitlist, in Steamboat Springs.
Many families do both: Early Intervention for support now, and an evaluation for answers now. More about autism testing with Dr. Luisa
HOW IT WORKS
What happens at a toddler autism evaluation with Dr. Luisa?
Dr. Luisa's toddler autism evaluation has four steps, and she handles each one personally: a free phone consult, an autism-specific developmental intake interview with parents, play-based testing at her Steamboat Springs office, a report (see below), and a feedback session with your results and a written plan. Families can go from first call to answers in as little as two weeks. Dr. Luisa handles every step of your journey, never an assistant, intern, nurse, or trainee.
1
Free phone consult
Share what you're seeing. Dr. Luisa tells you if testing is the right next step.
2
Parent interview
An autism-specific developmental intake (parent interview) provides Dr. Luisa with your child's story: birth, milestones, sleep, play, and what a typical day looks like.
3
Play-based testing
During testing, kiddos just play. Dr. Luisa evaluates interactions using the ADOS-2 Toddler Module, with parents staying in the room for children under 4. Your child's behaviors & background determine if additional developmental tests are needed, such as the Bayley-4 and Vineland-3.
4
Feedback session
Results you can understand with clear next steps for home, therapy, and school. Every question answered, and a report (see what's in it below) for your reference and to provide Early Intervention, Child Find, schools, pediatricians, insurers, psychiatrists, medication providers, ABA providers, and all of your child's care team.
THE WRITTEN REPORT
What's in Dr. Luisa's autism evaluation report?
Dr. Luisa's written report explains why your child was evaluated, what the testing showed, any diagnosis (including its DSM-5-TR name and ICD-10-CM code), and next steps for home, school, and therapy. It helps parents, teachers, doctors, and therapists understand what's going on for your child and how to help.
1
Reason for referral
Who referred your child and what your family hopes to learn, like clarity on a diagnosis or answers about behavior or school struggles.
2
Background and current functioning
A snapshot of your child's life: birth and development, medical history, family mental health history, past therapies, school, communication, relationships, play, and strengths.
3
Evaluation procedures
The tests your child took, like the ADOS-2, and who was interviewed, such as parents, teachers, or therapists.
4
Behavior observations
How your child acted in the clinic, at home, at school, and whether that was typical for them.
5
Results
Scores from each test, questionnaire, and interview. Why your child does or doesn't meet criteria for a diagnosis, for example, autism but not ADHD.
6
Summary
A few paragraphs that tie it all together for readers who need a quick overview.
7
Diagnoses
Any diagnoses from the DSM-5-TR, each with its ICD-10-CM code, the code U.S. healthcare providers use to classify conditions.
8
Recommendations
Next steps for home, school, and the community. Recommended therapies, resources, and ways to build on your child's strengths so all caretakers work from the same plan.
Who accepts it: Dr. Luisa's reports are accepted by Early Intervention, Child Find and schools, pediatricians, insurers, psychiatrists and other medication providers, and ABA providers.
COST
How much does toddler autism testing cost?
Toddler autism evaluations with Dr. Luisa start at $2080 and include an autism-specific developmental intake (parent interview), the ADOS-2 test, a comprehensive report, and a feedback session to review your child's report with clear next steps. Your exact cost depends on your child's age and the tests needed, and you'll get a precise cost after the autism-specific developmental intake (parent interview) is complete. Dr. Luisa is private pay. She doesn't bill insurance or take Medicaid. HSA and FSA are accepted. Many clients self-submit to their insurance and get partial reimbursement.
Free
Phone consult
Talk through your concerns and get the exact price. No obligation.
From $2080
Toddler autism evaluation
Parent interview, testing, feedback session, and written report.
Superbill
Insurance reimbursement
Dr. Luisa gives you a superbill to send your insurer. Ask them about out-of-network coverage for autism testing. Many insurers offer some level of coverage & reimbursement.
On Medicaid? Need a free option? Early Intervention (under 3) and Child Find (ages 3 to 5) are free. They can start services, though they don't give a medical autism diagnosis.
WAIT TIME
How long is the wait for autism testing near Steamboat?
Dr. Luisa is new to Steamboat Springs and currently has no waitlist for toddler autism testing as of November 2026. After your free phone consult, families can finish the parent interview, testing, and feedback session in as little as two weeks. Many Colorado families wait months for an autism evaluation elsewhere.
WHERE
Where is Dr. Luisa's office, and who does she serve?
Dr. Luisa tests toddlers in person at her office in downtown Steamboat Springs, with free on-street parking. Families come from across Routt County and northwest Colorado, and from the Vail Valley, where local toddler autism testing is hard to find.
Harmony at Home by Dr. Luisa
426 Oak St, Unit 1
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Free on-street parking
Steamboat Springs · Hayden · Oak Creek · Yampa · Clark & North Routt · Craig · Walden · Kremmling · Granby · Vail · Avon · Edwards · Eagle
From the Vail Valley, it's about two hours on CO-131, with no I-70 passes. Kremmling is about an hour away.
After testing, Dr. Luisa offers autism therapy for children and parent management training for autism. Available in-home available in Steamboat, or virtual in 42 U.S. States.
YOUR PSYCHOLOGIST
Who is Dr. Luisa?
Dr. Luisa, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist (Colorado #3492) who has tested and treated children since 2008. For 12 years she was Lead Psychologist with Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Developmental Pediatrics & Autism Team, where she diagnosed hundreds of kids. She has worked with autistic children for more than 20 years.
12 yrs
Lead Psychologist, Kaiser Permanente Developmental Pediatrics & Autism Department
14 mo
Youngest child she has tested for autism
20+ yrs
Working with autistic kids, starting in college
EDUCATION
PsyD, Argosy University – Arizona School of Professional Psychology.
TESTS SHE USES
ADOS-2 Toddler Module · ADI-R · Bayley-4 · Vineland-3 · WPPSI-IV
What parents say
★★★★★
"She is extremely patient and detailed in her explanations and insight. I have learned so much through our experience with her. She is fantastic with children and makes testing enjoyable for the kids."
Sarah M., Google review
★★★★★
"As a pediatrician, I have really valued her expert advice and always felt confident referring my patients to her over the last several years!"
Kaitlin V., pediatrician, Google review
★★★★★
"She is gentle in her approach with children and so good at building them up to realize their potential to thrive. I love how she meets with all family members to support the family system."
Allison F., Google review
QUESTIONS
Toddler autism testing FAQ
Can a toddler be diagnosed with autism?
Yes. An experienced psychologist can reliably diagnose autism by age 2, and sometimes earlier. Dr. Luisa tests children from 14 months old, as long as they are able to walk.
Does failing the M-CHAT mean my toddler has autism?
No. The M-CHAT is a screener that flags who needs a closer look. Only a full testing evaluation can diagnose autism or rule it out.
Do I need a referral?
No. Since Dr. Luisa is private-pay, there is no referral required. You can book a free phone consult with Dr. Luisa directly.
Does Dr. Luisa take insurance or Medicaid?
Dr. Luisa is private pay and doesn't bill insurance or take Medicaid. She gives you a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA are accepted.
My toddler won't sit still. Can they be tested?
Yes. Toddler testing is play-based, so kiddos can move, explore, and play while Dr. Luisa observes. Parents stay in the testing room for children under 4.
Can I stay in the room during testing?
Yes, for children under 4. For 4- and 5-year-olds, it depends on their language and how used they are to being apart from you. From age 5, kids are usually tested without parents in the room, unless your child is really uncomfortable and you and Dr. Luisa agree they'd do better with you there.
Is toddler autism testing done online?
No. Testing happens in person at Dr. Luisa's office at 426 Oak St in Steamboat Springs. The free consult is by phone. The parent interview and post-test feedback session can be done virtually.
Will Early Intervention, preschool, and our pediatrician accept the results?
Yes. Dr. Luisa's reports are accepted by Early Intervention, Child Find, schools, pediatricians, insurers, psychiatrists, other medication providers, and ABA providers.
What's in the written report?
The reason for the evaluation, your child's background, the tests used, behavioral observations, results with scores, a summary, any DSM-5-TR diagnoses with their ICD-10-CM codes, and recommendations for home, school, and therapy.
Does the report include a diagnosis code?
Yes. Each diagnosis lists its DSM-5-TR name and ICD-10-CM code, which U.S. healthcare providers use to classify conditions.
What if it isn't autism?
That's a real answer too. You'll learn what's going on, such as a speech or language delay, and what to do next.
Does an autism diagnosis mean medication or ABA?
No. A diagnosis doesn't mean medication. Dr. Luisa provides autism parent management training for toddlers in-home in Steamboat or virtually in 42 U.S. States. Dr. Luisa doesn't provide ABA. If ABA is a good fit, she'll help you find a local provider.
Can you help after the diagnosis?
Yes. Dr. Luisa offers autism parent training and support, in-home in Steamboat or virtually. She also provides child therapy as long as ABA is not required.
What about older kids and teens?
Dr. Luisa tests children 14 months to 18 years. See autism testing for kids and teens in Steamboat Springs.