Autism Evaluations and Bilingual Families: What Parents Should Know

If you are a Hispanic or bicultural parent raising a child who speaks English and Spanish, questions about development can sometimes feel complicated.

• Is my child struggling because they are learning two languages?
• Should we wait and see if they catch up?
• Can an autism evaluation accurately assess a bilingual child?
• Which language should be used during testing?

These are important questions.

For bilingual children, an autism evaluation should consider more than what happens during one appointment. A child’s language background, developmental history, family observations, cultural context, and the language they feel most comfortable using can all help provide a clearer picture.

Bilingualism is not a problem that needs to be fixed

One misconception some families encounter is the idea that speaking two languages is the reason a child is experiencing developmental or communication difficulties.

Bilingual children may develop and use their languages differently. A child may understand more Spanish than they speak, use mostly English at school, or move between both languages depending on who they are talking to.

But bilingualism itself does not cause a speech or language disorder. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association also emphasizes that multilingualism is not a cause of speech or language disorders.

That distinction matters.

Some parents have been told to wait because their child is learning two languages and may eventually “catch up.” Sometimes waiting is appropriate. But ongoing concerns about communication, social interaction, behavior, development, or daily functioning should not automatically be explained by bilingualism.

At Mountain Vista Psychology, bilingualism is viewed as part of a child’s strengths and lived experience—not as something that needs to be corrected.

Why language matters during an autism evaluation

A bilingual child may not communicate the same way in every setting or language.

They may speak English comfortably at school but prefer Spanish at home. They may understand both languages while expressing themselves more easily in one. Their language preference can also change depending on the situation.

A thoughtful evaluation takes that context into account.

At Mountain Vista Psychology, Spanish-speaking families can work with bilingual professionals during the evaluation process. A parent interview may be conducted in Spanish, rating scales may be available in Spanish, and the child’s preferred language can be considered when selecting and administering appropriate measures.

The goal is not to force a bilingual child into one language.

The goal is to understand the child as accurately as possible within the language and cultural environment in which they actually live.

What happens during an autism evaluation?

Some families expect autism testing to be a short screener or a single one-hour appointment.

A comprehensive autism evaluation is more involved.

Depending on the individual, the evaluation may explore:

• Developmental history
• Social communication and interaction
• Behavior and emotional functioning
• Thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving
• Attention and other possible concerns
• Daily living skills
• Strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful

Mountain Vista Psychology’s autism evaluation process typically includes two to three appointments and may use tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, along with other measures when appropriate. Families receive a written report and a feedback session to discuss the results and recommendations.

This allows the psychologist to look beyond a single question of whether a child does or does not meet criteria for autism.

Sometimes the evaluation may also help identify other factors that could be contributing to a child’s difficulties, such as attention, learning, emotional, or developmental concerns.

Parents are an important part of the evaluation

Testing tools provide valuable information, but parents know their children in ways an evaluator cannot learn from testing alone.

Your observations matter.

You may be the person who knows that your child communicates differently at home than at school, becomes overwhelmed in certain situations, struggles with transitions, or interacts differently depending on the language being spoken.

You also have the right to ask questions.

Some families may feel uncomfortable questioning a psychologist, doctor, or other professional because they were raised to view doing so as disrespectful.

But asking questions is an important part of understanding your child’s care.

You may want to ask:

• Why is an autism evaluation being recommended?
• What will the evaluation include?
• How will my child’s two languages be considered?
• How long does the process take?
• What information do you need from our family?
• What happens after the evaluation?

You are not expected to arrive knowing clinical terminology.

You can simply describe what you see.

• “My child has a hard time connecting with other kids.”
• “Transitions are really difficult.”
• “They become overwhelmed very easily.”
• “Something feels different, but I am not sure what it means.”

Those observations are useful starting points.

An evaluation is about understanding your child, not just finding a label

It is understandable for parents to have mixed feelings about an autism evaluation.

A possible diagnosis may bring worry, uncertainty, or questions about what it could mean for a child’s future. For some families, autism may also carry stigma or misconceptions that make the process feel even more intimidating.

But an evaluation can provide information beyond a diagnosis.

It may help parents better understand how their child communicates, learns, thinks, processes information, manages emotions, and interacts with the world.

Mountain Vista’s evaluation process also considers a child’s strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful. Recommendations can then help families understand possible next steps at home, at school, or with other providers.

Having clearer information can help families make decisions based on a better understanding of their child.

Autism evaluations for bilingual families in Littleton, Englewood, Greenwood Village, and Denver.

Mountain Vista Psychology provides autism evaluations for children, teens, and adults and works with families throughout the Denver metro area.

For Spanish-speaking families, bilingual support may be available throughout different parts of the process. Dr. Steffanie Stecker explained that Spanish-speaking parents may complete interviews in Spanish and receive reports in both English and Spanish, giving families information they can understand while also having an English version available for schools or other providers when needed.

If you are concerned about your child’s communication, development, behavior, social interactions, or learning, you do not have to determine on your own whether autism is the explanation.

You can start with what you are noticing.

Ready to ask questions?

If you are raising a bilingual child and have questions about autism or your child’s development, Mountain Vista Psychology can help you explore whether an evaluation may be an appropriate next step.

Contact Mountain Vista Psychology to ask about autism evaluations, bilingual assessment options, and psychological testing for children and families in Englewood and the Denver metro area.

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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FAQs

Does speaking English and Spanish cause language delays?

Bilingual children may develop and use their languages differently, but bilingualism itself does not cause a speech or language disorder. If developmental or communication concerns continue, a professional can help determine whether further evaluation may be helpful.

Should I wait to request an evaluation because my child is bilingual?

Being bilingual alone is not a reason to dismiss developmental concerns. If you, your child’s teacher, pediatrician, therapist, or another provider has ongoing concerns, you can ask whether an evaluation may be appropriate.

Can an autism evaluation be completed in Spanish?

Depending on the child and the measures used, an evaluation may be conducted entirely in Spanish, entirely in English, or in a combination of both. At Mountain Vista Psychology, families can discuss their child’s preferred language and their own language needs when planning the evaluation.

What does an autism evaluation include?

An evaluation may include parent interviews, developmental history, autism-specific assessment tools, cognitive testing, rating scales, and other measures selected according to the individual’s needs.

What happens after the evaluation?

Families receive results and recommendations that can help them better understand their child’s strengths and areas where support may be helpful. Mountain Vista Psychology also provides a feedback session to review the findings, answer questions, and discuss possible next steps.