BELOW IS WHAT I GLEANED FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY CHILD EVALUATED AND PLACED IN EARLY INTERVENTION

In New York City the hotline telephone number to begin the evaluation is: (Not in NYC contact your city or county's Mental Health Department for their number). This number is not just for children with autism - they evaluate those with speech problems, mental delays, etc. 

In NYC they have 30 days from the date of that initial phone call to have you child diagnosed and placed in an early intervention program (if needed).

My options were to have someone come to my home or to go to an evaluating center.  I choose the evaluating center and that was the best choice for me.  At the evaluating center they conduct an overall evaluation.  They have a speech, physical and occupational therapist evaluate your child, as well as a mental health professional.  Everything is done on the same day.  When they come to your home this may take several days and you still may have to go to an evaluating center for the mental health professional.

If your child attends daycare or headstart, your child can be evaluated at those locations.

Once your child is evaluated and placed there will be a lot of paperwork to sign.  Please make sure you read everything you sign. SIDE BAR: Don’t let the administrators rush you into signing anything, if needed get someone to help you understand what you are signing.

Once-a-month there is a meeting to discuss your child’s progress.  Attend them.  They are very important.

Quarterly there are written reports that also discuss your child’s progress.  Read them it’s important that what you are told in the monthly meetings is represented in the quarterly reports. SIDE BAR: If there is a disparity between the monthly meetings and quarterly reports get an explanation.

In early intervention there are Standardized tests for Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Special instruction.  You should be notified prior to these tests being administered.