Where to Get an Autism Evaluation in Morris County, NJ

If you are wondering whether your child should be evaluated for autism, you are already taking the most important step. This is a plain, neutral guide for Morris County families — how evaluation works, where to start by age, and what comes next. Morris County families benefit from an unusually strong local anchor in Morristown, where Goryeb Children's Hospital's Child Development and Autism Center is designated a Child Evaluation Center by the New Jersey Department of Education, reducing the need to travel out of county for an initial diagnostic workup.

Under age 3: New Jersey Early Intervention

For a child under age 3, any parent or provider can make a referral to the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) by calling the statewide toll-free line at 1-888-653-4463; a service coordinator then discusses the family's concerns and, with consent, arranges a developmental evaluation, with evaluation and assessment provided at public expense at no cost to families, and a documented autism spectrum disorder diagnosis establishes eligibility for services.

Age 3 and up: your school's Child Study Team

For a child age 3 or older, a parent can submit a written request to their local public school district asking the Child Study Team (which includes a school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher-consultant, and social worker) to evaluate the child for a possible disability and special-education eligibility. In Morris County districts this evaluation is provided at no cost, and a school-based classification supports an IEP, though families often also pursue a clinical or medical diagnosis separately.

Medical & developmental evaluation centers

Families in and around Morris County also seek a medical or developmental diagnosis through pediatricians and specialty centers. The options below are a starting point — some are local and some are regional. Always confirm current services, eligibility, and insurance directly with each provider.

• Child Development and Autism Center, Goryeb Children's Hospital (Atlantic Health System)
  Morristown · hospital developmental center

  Morris County's primary hospital-based diagnostic program, with a multidisciplinary team (neurodevelopmental pediatricians, psychologist, speech-language and other specialists) that performs comprehensive developmental assessments including ADOS testing to evaluate and diagnose autism, ADHD, and developmental delays.

• Children's Specialized Hospital - Mountainside (RWJBarnabas Health)
  Mountainside · hospital developmental center

  A regional pediatric specialty hospital in Union County, accessible to Morris County families, whose Autism Team (developmental/behavioral pediatrician, child psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist) conducts team evaluations and provides a written diagnostic report with recommendations.

• Hackensack Meridian Health - Autism, ADHD & Developmental Medicine
  Hackensack (multiple NJ locations) · hospital developmental center

  A statewide health system offering developmental-medicine evaluations for autism, ADHD, and related behavioral conditions across several New Jersey sites; regional rather than Morris-based, so families should confirm the nearest location and wait time.

• Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center (DDDC), Rutgers University
  New Brunswick · university clinic

  A Rutgers university-based autism center (part of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology) that has served people with autism spectrum disorders since 1972 and offers evaluation services using applied behavior analysis; located in Middlesex County and serving families statewide.

• Pediatric Developmental and Integrative Medical Center
  Spring Lake · developmental pediatrician

  A developmental-pediatrics practice serving Morris County and other New Jersey counties that, when autism is suspected, includes the ADOS-2 as part of a comprehensive evaluation; regional, so families should confirm intake and scheduling.

• Valley Health System - Autism Diagnosis & Screening
  Paramus · hospital developmental center

  A northern New Jersey health system in Bergen County offering autism screening and diagnostic evaluations; regional and reachable for many Morris County families, with services to confirm by location.

After a diagnosis: starting ABA therapy

Once your child has an autism diagnosis, ABA therapy is covered by NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid and most commercial insurance. You do not have to wait. Autumn ABA provides in-home, BCBA-led ABA with no waitlist across Morris County — we verify your benefits for free and can typically begin within weeks of authorization. Explore ABA therapy in Morris County or our full Morris County autism & ABA resource guide.

Helpful statewide resources

• NJ Early Intervention System — birth to age 3.
• Autism New Jersey — free helpline & referrals.
• SPAN Parent Advocacy Network — help navigating evaluations & IEPs.

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