(September 26, 2025) – Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education (Cultivate BHE) is excited to announce that they are now offering Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening tools directly on their website. To further enhance access, Cultivate BHE has partnered with Dr. Jazmin Burns of Burns Virtual Psychological Solutions to provide virtual diagnostic examinations, reducing the wait times families often face to obtain an official diagnosis.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends general developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months and ASD-specific screening at 18 and 24 months during well-child visits. These screenings are designed to catch concerns early so that children can be referred promptly for evaluation and intervention. Early identification is consistently associated with better communication, social, and adaptive outcomes.
Autism identification in the United States continues to rise as monitoring improves. The CDC’s most recent ADDM Network estimates indicate that about 1 in 31 (3.2%) U.S. children aged 8 years has been identified with ASD. Autism prevalence has increased substantially over the past couple of decades: in 2000, it was estimated that 1 in 150 children had ASD; today the numbers are significantly higher.
Cultivate BHE’s website now features two widely used, research-informed ASD screeners for different age ranges, the M-CHAT-R (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised) and CAST (Childhood Autism Spectrum Test).
For toddlers 16–30 months, the M-CHAT-R screening is a parent-completed screener that identifies elevated likelihood for autism. In standard use, a structured follow-up interview can improve accuracy. Cultivate BHE’s online tool administers the questionnaire phase and, when results indicate elevated likelihood, families will receive guidance to speak with their pediatrician and connect with diagnostic providers for next steps.
The CAST screening is a parent-completed screening questionnaire intended for children approximately ages 4–11. The CAST focuses on social communication and related behaviors that may suggest the need for a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified clinician.
These screening tools do not provide a diagnosis; rather, they help families understand whether a formal diagnostic assessment is recommended.
Through a new collaboration with Dr. Jazmin Burns and Burns Virtual Psychological Solutions, families can schedule telehealth-based diagnostic evaluations, improving access in areas with limited specialists and reducing typical wait times for in-person assessments. Burns Virtual Psychological Solutions provides secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual services across dozens of states, enabling families to complete key diagnostic steps from home.
For families seeking in-person diagnostic evaluations, Cultivate BHE can connect families with various local diagnosticians within their area.
“Early diagnosis opens the door to life-changing interventions,” said Brent Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education. “By expanding screening opportunities, Cultivate is ensuring that families receive the support they need as quickly as possible.”
“Virtual evaluations allow clinicians to serve families who might otherwise face long wait lists or travel burdens,” added Dr. Jazmin Burns. “This professional relationship represents a critical step toward equitable, timely access to autism diagnostics.”
To learn more about autism screening and diagnosis, visit cultivatebhe.com/diagnostic-testing or call 855-444-5664.
About Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education
Founded in 2015, Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education (Cultivate BHE) is a mission-driven organization committed to helping individuals reach their fullest potential. With operations in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, Cultivate adopts a family-first approach and offers specialized interventions for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cultivate is proud to be accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence® (BHCOE), reflecting its commitment to clinical excellence, ethical standards, and continuous improvement. As active members of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), Cultivate also contributes to the advancement of best practices and collaboration across the field of autism services. For more information about Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, please visit cultivatebhe.com.
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Media Contact Information:
Veronica Umana | veronica.umana@cultivatebhe.com
