Navigating the journey of seeking an autism diagnosis in California can feel overwhelming. For families and individuals in the Golden State, understanding the landscape of available diagnostic services is the first crucial step. Early and accurate autism diagnosis is vital, unlocking access to essential support, therapies, and resources that can significantly improve quality of life. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource to help you find the right autism diagnosis centers and professionals in California, ensuring you receive expert assessment and guidance.
California boasts a wide array of clinics, hospitals, and specialists dedicated to providing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses for children, adolescents, and adults. From cutting-edge neuropsychiatric centers utilizing advanced imaging techniques to community-based organizations offering accessible screenings, California is home to diverse options for families at every stage of their diagnostic journey.
This guide compiles a detailed list of centers across California, providing key information to aid your search for autism diagnosis services. Whether you are looking for pediatric autism diagnosis, adult autism assessment, telehealth options, or centers specializing in specific needs, this resource aims to simplify your search and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Autism Diagnosis Centers in Southern California
Southern California is a hub for specialized medical and diagnostic services, offering numerous centers dedicated to autism diagnosis. Below is a categorized list to help you find services based on your needs.
Comprehensive Neuropsychiatric and Psychological Centers
These centers typically offer multidisciplinary teams and comprehensive evaluations, often including advanced diagnostic tools.
Amen Clinic Newport Beach (Costa Mesa)
Address: 3150 Bristol St., Suite 400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (949) 266 3750 or (888) 564-2700
Website: www.amenclinics.com
Specializations: Amen Clinic in Newport Beach specializes in innovative diagnosis and treatment for a range of neuropsychiatric, behavioral, and learning challenges in children, teenagers, and adults. They utilize brain SPECT imaging as part of their comprehensive diagnostic process for neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder.
Anthony Benigno, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist (Ontario) – AB Psych Consulting
Address: 3200 Guasti Road, Suite 100, Ontario, CA 91761
Phone: (909) 906-0076
Website: www.abpsychconsulting.com
Specializations: Dr. Benigno’s practice provides assessments in various areas including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Cognitive Capacity, and Immigration evaluations. They accept IEHP and other insurance plans, making autism diagnosis accessible to a wider community in Ontario and surrounding areas of California.
Autism Assessment Center of Excellence (AACE) – Inland Empire
Addresses:
- 1499 S. Tippecanoe Ave., #A, San Bernardino, CA 92408
- 19314 Jesse Lane, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92508
Phone: (909) 799-3777
Website: www.autismassessment4ie.org
Specializations: AACE, or Autism Assessment Center of Excellence, offers gold-standard evaluations for neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder. Serving children from birth to 21 years old in the Inland Empire, their transdisciplinary team includes neurologists, psychologists, therapists, and other specialists, ensuring a comprehensive autism diagnosis experience in California.
Autism Discovery Institute – Rady Children’s Hospital (San Diego)
Address: 3685 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Scheduling: Bonnie Corbin: 858-966-7453 or 877-64AUTISM
General Information: Janae Deyoe: 858-966-1700, ext. 6170
Website: http://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/autism-discovery-institute/
Specializations: Rady Children’s Hospital’s Autism Discovery Institute provides multidisciplinary autism diagnosis and services in San Diego. Their staff includes occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and psychologists. They offer services for children with autism spectrum disorders and training for professionals.
Dr. Antonius Brandon, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist (Riverside)
Address: 5887 Brockton Ave. Ste A, Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (951) 275-8500
Specializations: Dr. Brandon offers comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and evaluations for both children and adults in Riverside, California. These evaluations can be crucial for autism diagnosis and understanding related cognitive and behavioral profiles.
Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Southern California (Santa Ana)
Address: 2500 Red Hill Ave, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (949) 267-0400
Website: thecenter4autism.org
Specializations: This center provides comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of autism for children from birth to 22 years. Located in Santa Ana, they offer center-based services, ongoing care coordination, evidence-based treatment recommendations, social worker support, behavior intervention, speech and language services, and psychology services, forming a holistic approach to autism diagnosis and care in California.
Diagnostic Center South (Los Angeles)
Address: 4339 State University Drive, Los Angeles CA 90032
Phone: (323) 222-8090
Website: www.dcs-cde.ca.gov
Specializations: Diagnostic Center South offers comprehensive assessments for special education students with complex needs, including autism. Serving Southern California, they provide research-based interventions and professional development for students aged 3 to 21 who are receiving or are eligible for public special education services.
El Paseo Children’s Center (Palm Desert)
Address: 4075 El Paseo Unit A-6 Palm Desert CA 92260
Phone: (760) 342-4900
Website: https://elpaseotesting.com/
Specializations: El Paseo Children’s Center, based in Palm Desert, specializes in private, independent, and school-based educational evaluations. As a Non-Public Agency approved by the California Department of Education, they provide special education related services and autism assessments as part of IEP Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs).
Empire Psychological Services (Rancho Cucamonga)
Address: 11175 Azusa Ct #110 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 475-3400
Website: www.empirecounseling.net
Specializations: Empire Psychological Services in Rancho Cucamonga focuses on culturally sensitive autism, ADHD, and mental health evaluations for adults and adolescents, particularly within Black and African American communities. They offer in-office and virtual appointments and accept IEHP and UnitedHealthCare insurance.
Gunn Psychological Services (Rancho Cucamonga)
Address: 10470 Foothill Blvd, Suite 116, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 989-4055
Website: www.gunnpsych.com
Specializations: Gunn Psychological Services provides objective testing, including ADOS-2, for Autism Spectrum Disorders for individuals from infants to adulthood. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, they also assess for intellectual giftedness, ADHD, learning disorders, and other cognitive and emotional conditions. They accept most insurance plans for autism diagnosis.
Hope Comprehensive Center for Development- Dr. Sara M Deleon (Murrieta)
Address: 41760 Ivy St #101, Murrieta, CA 92562
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (951) 595-4673
Website: https://hopeccd.com/diagnostic-psychological-evaluations/
Specializations: Led by Dr. Sara M Deleon, this center offers diagnostic psychological evaluations for children, including autism assessments. Their multidisciplinary team includes Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts, providing comprehensive autism diagnosis services in Murrieta.
Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence
Addresses:
- 1499 S. Tippecanoe Avenue, Building A, San Bernardino CA 92408
- 19314 Jesse Lane, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92508
Phone: (909) 799-3777
Website: https://www.autismassessment4ie.org/
Specializations: Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence provides gold standard pediatric evaluations for autism. With multiple locations in the Inland Empire, they are dedicated to offering thorough and accurate autism diagnoses to children and families in the region.
Kyle D. Pontius, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist (Laguna Hills)
Address: 23441 South Pointe Drive, Ste 250, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: (949) 454-9016, x3
Specializations: Dr. Pontius specializes in diagnostic assessments for service applications, including regional center, SSI, and IEEs, with significant experience in Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorder. He offers psychological, neuropsychological, and psycho-educational assessments in Laguna Hills, California, aiding in autism diagnosis.
Magnolia Psychological Assessment & Therapy Center (Hesperia)
Address: 12021 Jacaranda Avenue, Suite 201E, Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: 760-454-6817
Website: https://www.magnoliapatc.net/
Specializations: Magnolia Psychological Assessment & Therapy Center offers comprehensive assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder for individuals from 24 months to adults. Located in Hesperia, they accept various insurance plans and have Spanish-speaking staff available, increasing access to autism diagnosis in the High Desert region of California.
Nixon Psychological Institute (Chino)
Address: 12530 10th Street Suite C, Chino, CA 91710
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (909) 248 3434
Website: www.nixonpsych.com
Specializations: Nixon Psychological Institute in Chino provides high-quality Autism Spectrum Disorder testing for clients aged 3 years and older, utilizing comprehensive evaluations including ADOS-2. They accept most major insurance plans and have Spanish-speaking staff for psychotherapy, making autism diagnosis services more accessible.
San Diego BrainWorks (Temecula)
Address: 28936 Old Town Front St., Suite 104, Temecula, CA 92590
Website: www.sdbrainworks.com
Specializations: San Diego BrainWorks, serving Temecula and surrounding areas, specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational, learning disorder, ADHD, and autism evaluations, along with neuropsychological assessments and therapy. They offer thorough autism diagnosis services as part of their broader assessment offerings.
Specialized Psychology Solution (Palm Springs)
Address: 3605 E. Ramon Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264
Phone: (760) 325-5630
Website: https://desertautism.com
Specializations: Specialized Psychology Solution (SPS) in Palm Springs offers psychological services and specialty programs for children, families, and adults, including autism diagnosis. As a psychological services and treatment clinic, they cater to the diagnostic needs of the Coachella Valley community.
Ubuntu Psychological Services (Corona)
Address: 1307 W 6th St, Corona, CA 92882
Phone: (888) 662-9378
Specializations: Ubuntu Psychological Services in Corona specializes in culturally competent therapeutic services, providing comprehensive evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and learning disabilities. They offer assessments in English and Spanish, aiming to serve marginalized communities and communities of color seeking autism diagnosis in California.
UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic (Los Angeles)
Address: Semel Institute, Rm 68-237 University of California, Los Angeles 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: (310) 794-4008
Website: https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/psychiatry/child-and-adolescent/ucla-child-and-adult-neurodevelopmental-clinic
Specializations: UCLA’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic offers a high level of multidisciplinary expertise for autism diagnosis. Their comprehensive assessment protocol includes diagnostic and cognitive testing by child psychologists, speech and language assessment, and occupational therapy evaluation. A pediatric neurologist is also available for co-morbid medical issues, providing advanced autism diagnosis services in Los Angeles.
Hospitals and Medical Centers
Hospitals often have specialized departments for neurodevelopmental disorders, providing integrated diagnostic and treatment services.
CHOC Children’s Health Center (Corona)
Address: 854 Magnolia Ave, Suite #101, Corona, CA 92879
Website: http://www.choc.org/locations/health-center-corona/
Specializations: CHOC Children’s Health Center in Corona offers various pediatric specialty care services, including neurology, which is relevant for autism diagnosis and related neurological conditions. They accept numerous insurance plans, facilitating access to autism assessments within a hospital setting.
CHOC Children’s Hospital (Orange)
Address: 1201 W La Veta Ave, Orange, CA 92868-3874
Phone: (714) 997-3000
Website: choc.org
Specializations: CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange accepts Medi-Cal for autism diagnosis. As a major children’s hospital, they offer comprehensive services and expertise in diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorders for children in California.
Loma Linda University, Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics (Loma Linda)
Address: 11234 Anderson Street Loma Linda, California 92354
Phone: (877) 558 6248
Website: https://lluch.org/neurology
Specializations: Loma Linda University’s Child Neurology division provides assessment and treatment by pediatric neurologists. They are equipped to handle complex cases, particularly those with regressive aggression, progressive symptomology, and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, offering neurological perspectives on autism diagnosis. Note: They are currently not seeing mild cases of autism, ADHD, etc.
Dr. Muhammad Salim, Pediatric Neurology (Palm Springs, La Quinta, Yucca Valley)
Addresses:
- 1180 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Ste. W214, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- 47-647 Caleo Bay Dr, Suite 101, La Quinta, CA 92253
- 58457 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Suite 200, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Phones: - Palm Springs: (760) 416-4545
- La Quinta: (760) 771-6166
- Yucca Valley: (760) 228-1813
Website: https://www.desertcaredocs.com/find-a-doctor/detail/muhammad-salim-1205042579
Specializations: Dr. Salim, a pediatric neurologist, has clinical interests including neonatal neurology and autism, alongside epilepsy management. With multiple locations, he expands access to neurological assessments that are relevant to autism diagnosis in the Desert region of California.
Telehealth and Virtual Evaluation Services
For increased accessibility, especially for families in remote areas or seeking convenience, telehealth options are available for autism diagnosis.
As You Are – Virtual Evaluations (California)
Phone: 866-219-8595
Website: http://AsYouAre.com
Specializations: As You Are provides virtual evaluations for autism diagnosis in California and many other states for children aged 16 months to 10 years. They utilize CARS-2(obs) and TELE-ASD-PEDS assessment tools, designed for telehealth, and work with various insurance plans including Medicaid and TRICARE, increasing the reach of autism diagnosis services through telemedicine.
Jigsaw Diagnostics – Telemedicine Psychology (California)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-260-8701
Website: https://www.jigsaw-dx.com/
Specializations: Jigsaw Diagnostics offers telemedicine-based Comprehensive Diagnosis Evaluations (CDE) for autism across California. They aim to provide accurate and affordable autism diagnosis with efficient processes, accepting many Medi-CAL plans and providing superbills for PPO plans, making autism assessment accessible via telehealth.
Neuron and Rose Psychological Services – Dr. Jessica Hogan, PsyD, LP (Telehealth)
Phone: (805) 285-2307
Website: www.neuronandrosepsychology.com
Specializations: Dr. Hogan’s practice offers neurodiversity-affirming evaluations for autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities via telehealth for teens and adults in California. They specialize in autism evaluations for women and high-masking individuals and serve the LGBTQIA+ community, providing specialized and inclusive autism diagnosis through remote services.
Community and Regional Resources
These resources often provide initial screenings, referrals, and support services, sometimes at reduced or no cost.
The CARE Clinic Program (Apple Valley)
Address: 17800 Highway 18, Apple Valley, CA 92307
Phone: (760) 552-6700
Website: www.dmselpa.org
Specializations: The CARE Clinic Program provides screening, assessment, and referral services for children aged birth to five in Apple Valley who are developmentally delayed, exhibit severe behaviors, or may be on the autism spectrum. They serve as an early point of contact for autism assessment and support within the community.
Care Connections- Variety of the Desert (Palm Desert)
Address: 42600 Cook Street, Suite 150, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Phone: (760) 773-9800
Website: https://varietyofthedesert.org/caring-connections/
Specializations: Caring Connections is an early childhood development resource center in Palm Desert offering free screenings for children from birth to age 5. They help parents identify developmental concerns and provide resources and support, including initial steps towards autism assessment and connecting families with providers.
Inland Regional Center (IRC) (San Bernardino)
Address: P.O. Box 6127, San Bernardino, CA 62412-6127
Phone: (909) 890-3000
Website: http://www.inlandrc.org
Specializations: Inland Regional Center (IRC) is a non-profit agency serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy in the Inland Empire since 1972. They provide case management, service coordination, and evaluations for Early Intervention services, assessing eligibility for services related to autism spectrum disorder.
UC Riverside SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center (Riverside)
Address: 3363 Watkins Drive, Riverside, CA 92507
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (951) 827-3849
Website: https://searchcenter.ucr.edu/
Specializations: UC Riverside’s SEARCH Center focuses on screening and educational needs of children in the Inland Empire, offering cost-free services primarily aimed at assessing and providing referrals for children with autism spectrum disorder. They serve low-income and Spanish-speaking families and conduct cognitive assessments for children aged 30 months to 15 years, providing accessible initial autism screening and guidance.
Conclusion
Seeking an autism diagnosis in California involves navigating a diverse landscape of services. This guide provides a starting point, showcasing a range of centers from comprehensive neuropsychiatric clinics to community-based and telehealth options. Remember to consider factors like location, specialization, age range served, insurance acceptance, and the type of evaluation offered when choosing a center that best fits your or your family’s needs. Early autism diagnosis is a crucial step towards accessing necessary support and improving outcomes. We encourage you to reach out to these resources to begin your journey towards understanding and support.
