Faster Autism Diagnosis with Behavior Frontiers' Diagnostic Partners
Written by Katrina Nhan, M.S., BCBA as part of Behavior Frontiers’ Bright Futures Series
Receiving an autism diagnosis is a critical first step in getting the right care, therapy, and support for your child. Unfortunately, many families face long wait times—sometimes months or even years—for a formal diagnosis, delaying access to essential early intervention services.
At Behavior Frontiers, we understand that early diagnosis leads to better outcomes. That’s why we’ve partnered with highly qualified licensed psychologists across select regions to provide faster access to autism evaluations. In many cases, families can receive their results in as little as three weeks!
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, our trusted diagnostician partners can provide a comprehensive evaluation, and if autism is diagnosed, we can help your family begin ABA therapy right away.
Why Early Autism Diagnosis Matters
Research shows that early intervention leads to the best long-term outcomes for children with autism. However, long wait times for diagnosis often prevent families from accessing essential services when they matter most. The sooner families can begin ABA therapy, the greater the potential for meaningful progress.
If you’re concerned about your child’s communication, social interactions, or challenging behaviors, don’t wait. Behavior Frontiers and our diagnostic partners are here to provide clarity, guidance, and immediate access to care.
What to Expect: Fast Track to ABA Therapy Through Our Diagnostic Partners
Our diagnostic partners provide comprehensive, compassionate, and efficient autism evaluations to ensure families receive an accurate and timely diagnosis. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what you can expect:
Step 1: Recognizing the Signs of Autism
Early signs of autism may appear in infancy or early childhood. Parents, caregivers, or pediatricians may notice things like delayed speech or difficulty with communication, lack of eye contact or social engagement, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty adapting to changes in routine, etc. If you suspect your child may have autism, early diagnosis is key to ensuring your child receives timely, evidence-based intervention and support.
Step 2: Contact Behavior Frontiers for A Free Consultation
Before we refer you to one of our diagnostic partners, our intake team will need to verify your service area, your benefits or insurance coverage, as well as gather some more information about your concerns and interest in our ABA program. Once concerns arise, call us at 888-922-2843 or visit our website here to speak with one of our intake specialists. Most major insurance plans cover autism diagnosis and ABA therapy as a medically necessary service.
Step 3: Referral to a Licensed Diagnostician for Assessment
After service area and insurance verification, Behavior Frontiers will connect you with one of our highly qualified diagnostic partners in select regions. While Behavior Frontiers does not provide diagnostic services directly, we work closely with our experienced diagnostic partners to ensure families receive a thorough and professional evaluation from a qualified expert, without the long wait times.
Step 4: Schedule & Complete a Comprehensive Autism Assessment
Our licensed diagnostician partners (i.e., MD, PhD level doctor, DO, Licensed Psychologist, or Neuropsychologist) will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess your child’s communication, social skills, behavior, and overall development.
The evaluation includes a review of general background and medical history, parent interviews, and behavioral observations to ensure a complete and accurate assessment.
The process is individualized based on each child’s unique needs, using gold-standard clinical tools and evidence-based methods of evaluation, such as ADOS-2 or CARS-2.
The goal is to gain a full picture of your child’s strengths and challenges to provide the most accurate diagnosis and next steps.
Step 5: Receive a Diagnosis & Comprehensive Report
If your child meets the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) and are diagnosed by our diagnostic partners, you will receive:
A comprehensive written report detailing your child’s strengths, challenges, and recommended services.
Personalized next steps for intervention, such as recommendations for services like applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
One-on-one guidance from our team to help you understand the diagnosis and what to do next.
No more waiting months for a diagnosis—get clarity and start services faster!
Step 6: Behavior Frontiers Submits the Report to Insurance & Requests an FBA
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Behavior Frontiers submits the report to your health insurance provider to request a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
An FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) is a detailed evaluation conducted by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to identify the specific behaviors your child may need support with. This includes understanding what evokes problem behaviors in children and how to promote positive alternatives, as well as developing a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Step 7: Behavior Frontiers Conducts the FBA & Makes a Service Recommendation
After insurance approval, one of our experienced BCBAs conducts the Functional Behavior Assessment to evaluate your child’s individual needs. This includes our BCBA observing and interacting with your child in their natural environment, such as home, school, or center. This helps determine how many hours of ABA therapy your child may need for optimal outcomes, and a customized treatment plan is developed based on your child’s strengths and goals.
Step 8: Start Life-Changing ABA Therapy with Behavior Frontiers’ Clinical Care Team!
Once the FBA is complete and the insurance provider approves services, your child is ready to begin their personalized ABA therapy with Behavior Frontiers’ expert team!
One-on-one therapy with highly trained Behavior Technicians
Ongoing supervision & progress monitoring by a BCBA
A fun, engaging, and evidence-based approach to improving communication, social skills, and independence.
Your child’s journey toward success and a brighter future starts here!
Why Choose Behavior Frontiers?
Fast-Tracked Diagnosis & Care – Receive an autism diagnosis in as little as three weeks through our expert diagnostic partners.
We Partner with Highly Qualified Diagnosticians – Licensed psychologists specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluations.
Seamless Transition into ABA Therapy – From diagnosis through our partners to treatment, we handle everything—so your child gets the support they need faster.
Personalized, Compassionate, and Science-Backed Care – Our ABA therapy programs are individually tailored to each journey, to help your child reach a world without limits.
Meet Our Expert Diagnostic Partners
Our trusted diagnostic partners play a key role in ensuring families receive high-quality evaluations and compassionate care. This month, we are highlighting Dr. Denise Rockwell, PhD, BCBA-D and Megan Manty, M.S., LPCC, both of whom are deeply committed to helping families navigate the autism diagnosis process with clarity and confidence.
About Denise Rockwell, PhD, BCBA-D
Dr. Denise Rockwell, PhD, BCBA-D, is the founder of Rockwell Psychological Services and a licensed developmental psychologist with over 20 years of experience in autism diagnostics and treatment. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from Claremont Graduate University, specializing in early intervention and technology-based social skills development. Her practice provides psychological assessments, therapy services, and community training, focusing on individualized care and empowering families to support their child's growth.
What Inspires Dr. Rockwell’s Work:
“What inspires me most is making a tangible difference in the lives of children with autism and their families. Seeing a child reach a new milestone or improve their communication skills, no matter how small, is incredibly rewarding. Supporting parents through this journey, helping them feel more confident and informed, and seeing the positive impact of our work together fuels my passion. I’m also inspired by the broader community working to create more inclusive environments for all children, ensuring they have the opportunities they deserve.”
Why Dr. Rockwell Loves Working with Behavior Frontiers:
“Working with Behavior Frontiers is incredibly fulfilling because of their commitment to evidence-based practices and their holistic approach to supporting children and families. The team shares a deep dedication to not only helping children develop essential life skills but also ensuring that parents and communities are equipped with the knowledge and resources to create lasting change. The collaborative environment at Behavior Frontiers allows me to learn from others, exchange ideas, and continually grow as a professional while staying focused on making the most positive impact with every child I work with.”
About Megan Manty, M.S., LPCC
Megan Manty, M.S., LPCC, is a mental health professional with 12+ years of experience in autism evaluations and therapy. As the founder of Midwest Autism & Psychological Services (MAPS), she is committed to improving access to early autism screenings and diagnostics. Holding a master's in counseling psychology and licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Megan specializes in trauma-informed care and supports families navigating autism diagnoses. She founded MAPS to reduce long wait times and connect children with essential services sooner.
What Inspires Megan Manty’s Work:
"Every child deserves the chance to thrive. I’m driven by the belief that early support changes lives, and I’m honored to help families navigate that journey.”
Why Megan Manty Enjoys Working with Behavior Frontiers:
"Collaborating with Behavior Frontiers has been a truly rewarding experience. Their extensive expertise and deep understanding of ABA therapy are evident in the quality of care they provide. They operate with the highest level of professionalism and organization while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. Their commitment to expanding services and reaching more communities is truly inspiring, and it has been an honor to work alongside them in supporting children and families."
Take the First Step Toward Answers Today
Every child deserves access to timely, high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic services—and we’re here to make that happen. Get connected to one of our diagnostic partners near you by calling Behavior Frontiers at 888-922-2843 or by visiting our website here.
About Katrina Nhan, M.S., BCBA
Katrina Nhan received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a Minor in Developmental Disabilities in 2015. Her minor in Developmental Disability is where she found her passion in working with kids with disabilities. She worked with typical developing children as a tutor and teacher aide since 2011 and interned at Pediatric Therapy Network in 2015. Katrina started at Behavior Frontiers in 2013 as a behavior technician. While completing her Master’s degree in Counseling option in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University of Los Angeles, she was working at Behavior Frontiers as a Senior Behavior Technician. After graduating from CSULA in 2018, she became a case manager and obtained her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification shortly after. She is currently overseeing the Inland Empire, some Greater LA area, and Northern California regions. She enjoys working with different funding sources, regional centers, and school districts. She hopes to make a bigger impact and continue to help make a difference in children’s lives.