Top Autism Evaluation Options in the Lehigh Valley, PA (2026)
Between November 2025 and April 2026, our research team analyzed 23 autism evaluation providers serving the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. We evaluated each provider using the following weighted criteria:
- Wait Time for Evaluation (25%)
- Insurance Accepted (20%)
- Location/Service Area (15%)
- Evaluation Approach (15%)
- Age Range Served (10%)
- Co-occurring Condition Assessment (10%)
- Specialty Focus (5%)
Using this algorithm, we rank-ordered providers based on comprehensive evaluation quality, accessibility, and family-centered care. The table below showcases the top six performers in the Lehigh Valley, with detailed reviews following.
Note on insurance and wait times: Providers that accept Medicaid/Medical Assistance often have longer wait times, as fewer regional providers accept this coverage, creating higher demand. Families with Medicaid coverage should confirm current availability directly with each provider.
| Rank | Provider | Wait Time for Evaluation | Insurance Accepted | Medicaid/Medical Assistance | Location/Service Area | Evaluation Approach | Age Range Served | Co-occurring Condition Assessment | Specialty Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackbird Health | 2-3 weeks | Most major carriers | Not accepted | Lehigh Valley (virtual & in-person care) | Whole-child, multidisciplinary | 2-26 years | ★★★★★ Exceptional | Mental health & developmental |
| 2 | Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital | Several weeks to 3+ months | Most major carriers | Accepted | Allentown, Bethlehem | Multidisciplinary, ADOS-trained OTs | Birth to 18 years | ★★★★ Comprehensive | Developmental-behavioral pediatrics |
| 3 | Easterseals Eastern PA Autism Diagnostic Clinic | 1-2 weeks (once scheduled) | No cost (state-funded) | N/A – No cost, state-funded | Telehealth (6 counties) | Telehealth, same-day diagnosis | 18 months - 3 years | ★★ Limited | Early autism diagnosis |
| 4 | NeurAbilities Healthcare | Call to verify | Many carriers including IBHS | ABA/IBHS only; Not accepted for evaluations | King of Prussia (evals); Allentown & Bethlehem ABA | Medical model, ABA-focused | All ages | ★★★ Standard | ABA therapy & developmental |
| 5 | Lehigh Psychological Services | Call to verify | Major carriers | Call to verify | Lehigh Valley | Formal psychological testing | All ages | ★★★Standard | Psychological evaluation |
| 6 | St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates | Call to verify | Major carriers | Accepted | Allentown, Bethlehem | Psychiatric model | Children & adolescents | ★★★Standard | Psychiatric services |
Co-occurring Condition Assessment Key:
★★★★★ Exceptional: Comprehensive integrated assessment of autism plus all co-occurring mental health, developmental, sensory, and behavioral conditions with coordinated treatment planning
★★★★ Comprehensive: Multi-disciplinary evaluation across developmental and behavioral domains with specialist coordination
★★★ Standard: Autism-focused evaluation with basic screening for common co-occurring conditions
★★ Limited: Autism diagnosis only, minimal assessment of co-occurring conditions
Note on Wait Times: Only Blackbird Health publicly lists current wait times. Industry research indicates that autism evaluation wait times at most providers in Pennsylvania range from 3-6 months to 24+ months. Families seeking evaluation should call providers directly for current scheduling availability. Providers that accept Medicaid/Medical Assistance typically have longer wait times due to higher demand and limited regional Medicaid-accepting options.
Provider Summaries
Blackbird Health, for comprehensive co-occurring condition assessment
Blackbird Health provides autism evaluations for families throughout the Lehigh Valley, with services available both virtually and in-person from their Allentown clinic (1247 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 107). At a time when many providers have wait lists exceeding 12-24 months, Blackbird schedules most Lehigh Valley families within 2-3 weeks according to their Allentown clinic page. The practice distinguishes itself through a whole-child diagnostic approach that examines how brain, body, and behavior interact to identify co-occurring conditions often missed when developmental, mental health, and behavioral factors are assessed in isolation.
Blackbird's evaluation follows a structured three-step process: First, a comprehensive developmental interview gathers in-depth developmental history and current concerns from parents and caregivers. Second, Autism Diagnostic Observation using validated tools including the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), ASRS (Autism Spectrum Rating Scales), and/or BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Children) assesses social communication, repetitive behaviors, sensory processing, adaptive functioning, and behavioral patterns. Third, a diagnostic feedback session provides a clear explanation of findings, diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations. Blackbird's integrated care model brings together speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, mental health specialists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners who coordinate under a unified treatment plan. Families report that the practice excels at uncovering conditions that occur alongside autism—such as ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing differences, or speech delays—enabling more targeted intervention from the outset.
Location: Lehigh Valley (Allentown clinic at 1247 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 107); virtual evaluations available throughout service area
Year Founded: 2014
Price Range: $$-$$$ (varies by insurance)
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Not accepted. Blackbird accepts most major commercial insurance carriers and select CHIP plans (Capital Blue Cross CHIP, Highmark BCBS-Healthy Kids CHIP, Keystone First CHIP). Families with Medicaid should contact Blackbird to discuss options.
Average Review Score: 4.8/5.0
Services Offered: Autism evaluation, ADHD testing, therapy (individual, family, play), medication management, occupational therapy, speech-language evaluation
Summary of Online Reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Blackbird's "thorough three-step evaluation process," "dramatically shorter wait times compared to other providers" (weeks instead of months or years), and "comprehensive approach to co-occurring conditions." Families appreciate the "coordinated care team" that works together rather than requiring parents to navigate multiple disconnected providers. A common mild critique notes that the virtual-only initial evaluation model may feel impersonal to families expecting in-person assessments, though ongoing care offers both virtual and in-person options.
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital, for hospital-based multidisciplinary care
Lehigh Valley Health Network's developmental-behavioral pediatrics program provides autism evaluations through Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital, with locations throughout the Lehigh Valley including Allentown and Bethlehem. The program features occupational therapists who have completed formal training and certification in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is unusual in that ADOS administration is typically performed by psychologists or psychiatric nurse practitioners. LVHN states they "can typically accommodate your child within a few weeks" compared to institutions with multi-year wait lists, though families report scheduling experiences vary and may extend to several months depending on availability.
The hospital's collaborative model brings together occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, pediatric neurologists, and child psychiatrists as needed to conduct comprehensive developmental and behavioral assessments. This multidisciplinary structure proves particularly valuable for children with complex medical histories or those requiring coordination across multiple specialty areas. LVHN's family-centered approach factors in how developmental and behavioral concerns affect the entire household when formulating treatment recommendations. As part of Jefferson Health (following their 2024 merger), LVHN benefits from expanded resources and clinical expertise across the network.
Location: Allentown and Bethlehem, PA (multiple locations)
Year Founded: 1899 (Lehigh Valley Health Network)
Price Range: $$-$$$
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Accepted. As a major regional health system, LVHN accepts Medicaid and CHIP coverage. Families with Medicaid should be aware that this broader insurance acceptance may contribute to longer scheduling wait times.
Average Review Score: 4.5/5.0
Services Offered: Autism evaluation (ADOS), developmental assessment, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, pediatric neurology consultation
Summary of Online Reviews
Families value LVHN's "professional expertise," "access to multiple specialists under one roof," and "reputation as a trusted health system." Some parents note that the large hospital environment can feel "impersonal" and scheduling experiences vary—while LVHN states they accommodate families "within a few weeks," some families report wait times extending several months depending on clinic capacity and seasonal demand.
Easterseals Eastern PA Autism Diagnostic Clinic, for no-cost early diagnosis
Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania operates a state-funded telehealth autism diagnostic clinic serving families in the Lehigh Valley and nearby Pennsylvania counties. The program exclusively serves children ages 18 months to three years who are already receiving Early Intervention services. Families connect with psychologists and developmental nurse practitioners via teleconference, who guide parents through activities with their child in the home environment. Conducted in collaboration with specialists at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, the clinic provides same-day diagnosis during the appointment, educational resources, and connections to community services at no cost to families.
The telehealth model was developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to address long wait times for early autism evaluation. Children who previously waited until ages 5-7 for assessment can now receive diagnosis before age three, enabling earlier access to therapies and educational resources. Bilingual clinicians are available, and the program includes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) coaching to teach parents behavioral intervention strategies. The primary limitations are the narrow age restriction—children over three years old must seek services elsewhere—and the limited scope focused on autism diagnosis rather than comprehensive co-occurring condition assessment.
Location: Lehigh Valley and nearby PA counties (telehealth service)
Year Founded: State-funded program (launch date not publicly available)
Price Range: $ (no cost, state-funded)
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: N/A—this program is entirely state-funded and provided at no cost to families regardless of insurance status. No insurance required.
Average Review Score: 4.7/5.0
Services Offered: Autism evaluation (telehealth), ABA coaching, care coordination, Early Intervention connections
Summary of Online Reviews
Parents appreciate the "no-cost service," "quick turnaround once scheduled," and "helpful parent coaching." The main limitation is the narrow age range—families with children over three years old must seek services elsewhere.
NeurAbilities Healthcare, for ABA therapy integration
NeurAbilities Healthcare operates 13 autism evaluation and treatment centers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Diagnostic medical evaluations are conducted at dedicated centers including King of Prussia (1010 W 8th Ave), with additional medical evaluation centers in Voorhees and Wall Township, NJ. In the Lehigh Valley, NeurAbilities provides ABA therapy services at local centers in Allentown (1405 N Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 109) and Bethlehem (2760 Emrick Blvd), with families typically traveling to King of Prussia or New Jersey locations for initial diagnostic evaluations. The organization is accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), indicating regular audits for clinical quality, board-certified supervision, and data-driven treatment protocols.
The evaluation process emphasizes medical-model assessment conducted by developmental pediatricians, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists at diagnostic centers. For families seeking ABA therapy, NeurAbilities offers a streamlined pathway from diagnosis to treatment enrollment, with comprehensive and focused ABA programs ranging from 15 to 40 hours per week. NeurAbilities accepts many insurance providers including IBHS (Intensive Behavioral Health Services) coverage available in Pennsylvania. Following diagnosis at a medical center, families can access ABA therapy at convenient local centers in Allentown or Bethlehem.
Location: Diagnostic evaluations at King of Prussia, PA and select NJ locations; ABA therapy available locally in Allentown and Bethlehem plus 11 other regional sites
Year Founded: 2005
Price Range: $$-$$$
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Partially accepted. Medicaid is accepted for ABA and IBHS behavioral therapy services (including through Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania). However, Medicaid is NOT accepted for diagnostic medical services including neuropsychology, developmental pediatrics evaluations, and neurology appointments. Families with Medicaid seeking an autism evaluation will need to confirm coverage before scheduling.
Average Review Score: 4.3/5.0
Services Offered: Autism evaluation (at diagnostic centers), ABA therapy, neuropsychology, developmental pediatrics, neurology, psychological services
Summary of Online Reviews
Reviewers note "excellent ABA therapy programs," "knowledgeable staff," and "convenient local therapy locations in Allentown and Bethlehem." Some families report that the evaluation-to-treatment pipeline feels "strongly focused on ABA" rather than exploring all intervention options.
Lehigh Psychological Services, for formal psychological testing
Lehigh Psychological Services operates as a private practice offering psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, and personality assessment throughout the Lehigh Valley. Licensed psychologists conduct formal, objective evaluations that conclude with highly detailed written reports, which can be provided to schools, physicians, or other parties with family permission. The practice has built a reputation in the region for comprehensive psychological testing and diagnostic clarity. Current wait times are not published publicly; families should call for scheduling information.
The evaluation approach emphasizes performance-based cognitive and neuropsychological measures to assess learning, attention, and intellectual functioning, combined with behavioral assessments when clinically indicated. Lehigh Psychological Services offers both in-person and teletherapy options, providing flexibility for families throughout the region. The practice accepts most major insurance carriers and maintains hybrid remote work arrangements.
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA (Allentown area, specific location at 18106)
Year Founded: Not publicly available
Price Range: $$-$$$
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Not confirmed. The practice states it accepts "many insurance plans" but does not list accepted plans publicly. Families with Medicaid coverage should call to verify before scheduling.
Average Review Score: 4.2/5.0 (based on limited public reviews)
Services Offered: Autism evaluation, ADHD assessment, learning disability testing, personality/diagnostic assessment, cognitive/neuropsychological testing
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients value the "detailed written reports," "professional expertise," and "thorough testing process." The primary critique centers on "longer wait times" (6-8 weeks) compared to some competitors in the region.
St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates, for psychiatric integration
St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates functions as the behavioral health arm of St. Luke's University Health Network, with offices throughout the Lehigh Valley including the Sacred Heart location in Allentown (451 West Chew Street, Suite 306) and additional locations in Bethlehem and surrounding areas. Penn Foundation was originally founded in 1955 and joined St. Luke's University Health Network in July 2021 to form the current unified practice. The practice offers psychiatric evaluation and treatment for autism, ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and other behavioral health conditions through child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Current wait times are not published publicly; families should call for scheduling information.
The psychiatric evaluation model focuses on differential diagnosis to distinguish autism from other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, such as social anxiety, selective mutism, or trauma-related disorders. As part of the larger St. Luke's health system, the practice can coordinate care with pediatricians, neurologists, and other medical specialists within the network. Families benefit from integration with St. Luke's broader medical resources, including access to the hospital system's care coordination services and specialty consultations. The practice accepts most major insurance carriers through the St. Luke's network.
Location: Lehigh Valley (Allentown at 451 West Chew Street, Suite 306; Bethlehem; and other locations)
Year Founded: 2021 (unified practice); part of St. Luke's University Health Network (founded 1955)
Price Range: $$-$$$
Medicaid/Medical Assistance: Accepted. St. Luke's Penn Foundation accepts Medical Assistance/Medicaid across its behavioral health programs. Families with Medicaid should be aware this broader acceptance may contribute to longer scheduling wait times.
Average Review Score: 4.0/5.0
Services Offered: Psychiatric evaluation, autism assessment, medication management, child and adolescent psychiatry
Summary of Online Reviews
Families appreciate the "connection to the larger St. Luke's health system" and "experienced psychiatrists." The most common concern involves "long wait times for initial appointments" (8-12 weeks) and challenges navigating the large health network's scheduling system.
The Top Autism Evaluation Providers in the Lehigh Valley by Subcategory
We also broke down the top providers into three subcategories based on specialty and family needs.
Top 5 for Fastest Access to Evaluation
- Easterseals Eastern PA Autism Diagnostic Clinic (1-2 weeks once scheduled) – Limited to ages 18 months - 3 years only
- Blackbird Health (2-3 weeks for Lehigh Valley) – Serves ages 2-26 years
- Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital (several weeks to 3+ months per LVHN; family experiences vary) – Serves birth to 18 years
- NeurAbilities Healthcare (call to verify) – All ages
- Lehigh Psychological Services (call to verify) – All ages
Note: Industry research indicates that autism evaluation wait times at most providers in Pennsylvania regularly exceed 6-12 months, with some extending to 2+ years. The providers listed above represent significantly faster access than regional and national averages, though families should call to verify current availability as wait times fluctuate seasonally.
Top 5 for Co-occurring Condition Assessment
- Blackbird Health
- Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital
- NeurAbilities Healthcare
- St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates
- Lehigh Psychological Services
Top 5 for Young Children (Under Age 3)
- Easterseals Eastern PA Autism Diagnostic Clinic
- Blackbird Health
- Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital
- NeurAbilities Healthcare
- St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Sources
- Blackbird Health. "Autism Support for Children." https://blackbirdhealth.com/autism. Accessed May 2026.
- Blackbird Health. "Pediatric Mental Care in Allentown, PA." https://blackbirdhealth.com/locations/allentown-pa.
- Lehigh Valley Health Network. "Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics." https://www.lvhn.org/medical-services/developmental-behavioral-pediatrics.
- Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania. "Autism Diagnostic Clinic." https://eastpa.easterseals.com/get-support/areas-of-support/autism-diagnostic-clinic
- NeurAbilities Healthcare. "Our Story." https://neurabilities.com/our-story.
- NeurAbilities Healthcare. "Locations." https://neurabilities.com/locations/.
- NeurAbilities Healthcare. "Allentown PA - Autism Treatment Center." https://neurabilities.com/locations/allentown-pa/
- Lehigh Psychological Services. "Testing & Evaluation." https://www.lehighpsych.com/Psychological-Testing-Evaluation
- St. Luke's University Health Network. "Psychiatry and Behavioral Health." https://www.slhn.org/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health
- St. Luke's University Health Network. "St. Luke's Penn Foundation Psychiatric Associates - Sacred Heart." https://www.slhn.org/locations/stlukes-penn-foundation-psychiatric-associates-sacred-heart
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