Hi, we went to a pediatric neurologist to get a diagnosis. Like you, there was a wait a children's hospital and other treatment centers. Keep your appointments with other doctors and take whatever appt comes open first. Also, call your local or state early intervention center. Best of luck to you and your family. :)

Yes, by the time our appointment came up with the developmental pediatrician, my son was diagnosed and attending speech, pt and day tx. Contact your school district's early childhood special education program and ask for an evaluation. Also, call the autism day treatment facilities in your area and ask for an evaluation. Do both, not one, as they provide different services and will both have wait times. Also, insist on a referral to speech, OT or PT from your doc ( depending on what your concerns are). All of the waiting and not knowing is very hard. Hang in there and starting pushing doors open!

The regional center in Napa, CA takes about that long too - but they are wonderful and after you get through the process they will help you understand the services. They diagnosed my son at 2 1/2 yrs old - in 2003 and I had people at my house working with him right after the diagnosis. I just had my nephew Dylan (also my foster son) diagnosed last October and it felt like years of waiting. If you are in one of the counties serviced by the Napa office - go to them. Our medical doesn't cover autism (under ERISA) so the regional center is paying for services.

We had to wait about 5 months when we lived in Kansas City, then we moved to northern CA and it took about 8 months to get established with a developmental pediatritian through Children's Oakland. We are still trying to find a speech therapist for my son near Stockton/Manteca area. My son gets speech through schools and has since he was 2 (he's 9 now) but needs more intense therapy. We've lived here two years and trying to get my son help has been so frustrating and overwhelming. It's a slow process, but for sure start with the schools. If anyone knows where I can get speech for my son that would be great! Good luck!

We had to wait 4 months for an appointment as well, and EI took 2 months to come to the house to evaluate my son. It is one of the bad parts of getting help.