Is Diagnostic Testing Right For Your Child?
As a parent, you notice things. A delay in speech. Difficulty connecting with other kids. Behaviors that don’t quite fit what the books describe. And somewhere along the way, someone — a teacher, a pediatrician, a well-meaning relative — suggests an evaluation.
That word can feel heavy.
Many parents worry that getting an evaluation means putting a label on their child that will follow them forever. Others fear the results will change how people see their child — or worse, how they see themselves.
Here’s the truth: an evaluation doesn’t change who your child is. It simply opens a door. A door to the right supports, the right services, and a clearer path forward — one that’s built around your child’s unique strengths and needs.
Dr. Jeff Salt has spent over 27 years helping families walk through that door with confidence.
Hear Directly from Dr. Salt
We know you have questions — and Dr. Salt has answers. Watch the short videos below to hear him address the things parents ask most before, during, and after an evaluation. Each video covers a different topic so you can go straight to what matters most to your family right now.
Why Diagnosis Helps — It’s Not Just a Label
“What would you say to a parent who is afraid that a diagnosis will label their child?”
A diagnosis helps you understand how your child processes the world — so you can get them the exact, individualized support they need to succeed. Your child is still the same child you’ve always known.
The Power of Acting Early
“What is the benefit of early diagnosis?”
For young children, an early diagnosis unlocks access to early intervention — which has been consistently shown to improve long-term outcomes. For older children, it opens the door to school supports, IEPs, and 504 Plans.
Dr. Salt’s Approach to Evaluation
“How does your background with autism and developmental differences shape the way you evaluate children?”
Dr. Salt uses both a top-down and bottom-up approach — considering the most complex possibilities while also looking at what typical development looks like, and finding where your child’s unique profile fits within that picture.
When Is It Time to Seek an Evaluation?
“What are some signs that a child may need an autism or developmental evaluation rather than ‘just more time’?”
For younger children, this might look like unique ways of communicating, strong reactions to sensory input, or repetitive motor behaviors. For older or more verbal children, it might show up as very literal thinking, difficulty reading social cues, or intense focus on specific interests.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from an Evaluation
Every child develops at their own pace. But certain patterns may be worth a closer look. You might consider requesting an evaluation if your child:
- Has delayed or limited speech and language skills
- Has difficulty making or maintaining eye contact
- Shows intense interest in very specific topics or objects
- Struggles with transitions or changes in routine
- Has frequent emotional meltdowns that seem difficult to regulate
- Has trouble playing or interacting with other children
- Seems unusually sensitive — or unusually unresponsive — to sounds, textures, or sensory input
- Has been flagged by a teacher, pediatrician, or early intervention specialist
If any of these resonate with you, an evaluation is not a decision to fear — it’s a step toward understanding.
Here’s a Look At What to Expect
“What does in-person testing look like for a young child?”
Think toys, fun activities, and a space built for kids. Testing may happen at a child-size table or on the floor, depending on what works best for your child. Most of the time, a parent is in the room too.
Nerves are Normal
“What do you do if a child is nervous, dysregulated, shy, silly, avoidant, or refuses to participate?”
Dr. Salt is experienced in supporting children who find new situations challenging. Parents can share photos of the examiner and building ahead of time. On the day of testing, breaks, movement, and flexible pacing are all available tools.
Here is how the evaluation process generally unfolds:
Step 1: Virtual Parent Interview
Before testing begins, Dr. Salt meets with you virtually to gather a detailed developmental history. You are the expert on your child — this conversation is essential.
Step 2: In-Person Structured Observation and Testing
Dr. Salt uses gold-standard diagnostic instruments, including the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and the ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) — two of the most widely validated tools in the field. He is a trained expert on both instruments.
Step 3: Virtual Feedback Session
Dr. Salt will walk you through the results in plain, clear language. You’ll have multiple opportunities to ask questions and make sure you fully understand what the findings mean for your child.
Step 4: Detailed Written Report
You’ll receive a thorough written report that outlines evaluation findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and specific recommendations — ready to share with schools, therapy providers, pediatricians, and insurance companies.
If you have more questions after you’ve received this report, you can schedule another virtual feedback session with Dr. Salt to discuss further.
The Evaluation Report can be Used for Many Things
“What makes the written report useful for schools, IEPs, 504 plans, therapy providers, pediatricians, or insurance?”
The report is detailed and individualized. It includes relevant diagnoses, explains why other diagnoses may not apply, outlines therapy and school-based recommendations, and provides resources and links to next steps.
Results Explained in Plain Language — Because You Deserve to Understand
“How do you explain results so parents actually understand them?”
Dr. Salt explains findings at several levels — including what any standardized scores actually mean, what the diagnosis looks like specifically for your child, and what to do next. A second feedback session is available once you’ve had time to review the full report.
Meet Dr. Jeff Salt
“What is your professional background in autism, developmental disorders, and child assessment?”
Dr. Salt is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 27 years of experience, including roles at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago. He is an expert trainer on the ADOS and ADI-R diagnostic instruments and has authored research publications and lectured widely on ASD.
What to Know About Dr. Salt Before You Meet Him
“What would you want families to know about your approach before they meet you?”
This is a collaboration. You know your child deeply. Dr. Salt knows child development deeply. Together, those two things create an accurate picture of your child’s profile — and a meaningful path forward.
The Most Reassuring Thing Dr. Salt Wants You to Know
“What is the most reassuring thing you can tell a parent before their child’s evaluation?”
An evaluation will not change your child. Their personality, their interests, their sense of humor — all of it stays exactly the same. What changes is your family’s ability to get the right support.
An evaluation with Dr. Salt is not about defining your child by what’s difficult. It’s about understanding them more fully — so that every person in their life can support them more effectively.
You’ve already taken the hardest step by asking the question. The next step is simply getting the right answers.
Dr. Salt and the Blue Bird Day team are ready to walk that path with you.
