Finding Best Fit Developmental Diagnostic Center
Finding the best fit developmental diagnostic center:
- Geography. It is almost always ideal for families to receive their diagnostic service locally, with a preference for staying in-state. This supports the family in connecting with a resource that will be able to provide ongoing support, make region-specific recommendations/referrals, and provide guidance on navigating state-specific systems.
- Existing relationships. If a family already receives much of their sub-specialty care from an institution that can provide the needed service, it may make sense to seek this within the same service system.
- Access barriers. Factors like insurance coverage, wait-times, and interpreter services should also be considered when determining the best fit for a family.
Getting started at Children's Mercy.
Approved regional partners:
Children’s Mercy does provide autism/developmental evaluations for children from Kansas and other states, but we strongly encourage families and referring providers to use the framework described above to determine if this is the best fit for them. Please consider our autism/developmental partners across Missouri and in Kansas.
These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.