By Lisa Jo Rudy 

 Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

An autism diagnosis may be completed by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. This is a board-accredited pediatrician who has also received sub-specialty training and certification in developmental-behavioral pediatrics.

That person should have fulfilled all the requirements to be a pediatrician, and also three years of full-time, broad-based fellowship training in development-behavioral pediatrics.1 The American Board of Pediatrics has established a whole set of subject areas in which a certified developmental pediatrician should be knowledgeable and experienced.

This article explains the role of a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in diagnosing and treating autism. It offers some insights on how to locate these providers if you choose to do so.

Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

Benefits

Most pediatricians in general practice have little experience with autism spectrum disorders. As a result, they are not ideally qualified to diagnose or treat autism.

However, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, particularly those with a subspecialty in the field, are highly trained and experienced in identifying and diagnosing a whole range of developmental and behavioral differences.

A provider who can tell the difference between, say, ADHD symptoms and traits of autism with low support needs (high functioning autism) is likely to be a developmental-behavioral pediatrician.2

A developmental-behavioral pediatrician should be able to look at a child's development overall, provide a diagnosis, and coordinate a specific treatment plan. They can recommend other practitioners and refer to educational programs.3

What a Developmental Pediatrician Does

A developmental pediatrician will spend at least an hour or two with a child and caregiver. They are likely to spend much of that time asking a caring adult about the child's developmental history, habits, abilities, and challenges. In addition, they will conduct a thorough evaluation of the child, checking height, weight, coordination, responsiveness, and more.

It is unlikely that the pediatrician will conduct psychological or speech tests, though they will be aware of possible issues in these areas and will observe how your child moves, interacts, speaks, plays, and so forth.3

Once the pediatrician has completed the evaluation, they may provide you with a full report as well as a diagnosis. If the diagnosis is autism, your healthcare provider should also provide more specific information about the level of autism and any related challenges such as speech delay.

They may also recommend specific options for treatment, or refer you to agencies that fund and provide such treatments. A developmental-behavioral pediatrician may be able to help you help your child by finding the right treatments, therapists, and educational programs.4

How to Find a Qualified Developmental Pediatrician

Finding a qualified developmental-behavioral pediatrician is not easy. Even when you do, you're likely to be in for a multi-month wait for an appointment. It's obviously best to make that appointment the moment you think there might be an issue with your child; the worst that happens is you cancel the appointment if you don't need it.

The best places to start such a search are with your own pediatrician who is likely to have good suggestions or referrals. A next step is to contact a local children's hospital or clinic that specializes in developmental and behavioral challenges.

You can also find a certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician through professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics' referral service (be sure to search for various related specialties). As always, local parent support groups and online resources can help.

What If You Can't Find a Certified Developmental Pediatrician?

The developmental-behavioral certification is fairly new and requires a great deal of time and money to acquire. As a result, the number of "official" developmental-behavioral pediatricians who specialize in autism is quite small.

You may not have such an expert in your local area or you may find that the waiting list is months long. If you can't find or access a developmental pediatrician, don't panic. Many pediatricians, particularly those with established practices, know a great deal about autism without being an "official" developmental-behavioral pediatrician.

This is often the case if the healthcare provider has a particular interest in developmental issues, or happens to live in an area where autism is prevalent. Thus, even if a pediatrician does not have board certification in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, they may have the ability to diagnose and even treat autism spectrum disorders.

Alternatively, you may decide to consult a developmental neurologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist with experience in diagnosing and treating autism.

 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The American Board of Pediatrics. Developmental-behavioral certification.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Developmental & behavioral pediatrics.

American Academy of Pediatrics. What is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician?.

Kelly K. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians: what you need to know.

By Lisa Jo Rudy
Lisa Jo Rudy, MDiv, is a writer, advocate, author, and consultant specializing in the field of autism.