Integrated Autism Care Program Expands Access to Services
The pediatric program provides assessments and genetic testing for young children across four states.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Autism
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Soar Autism Center served 600 children through its developmental pediatrics program since launching in fall 2025. The initiative aims to improve access for children up to age 6 in Colorado, Arizona, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Why it matters
The program was created to address the significant shortage of developmental-behavioral pediatric specialists, who currently serve a ratio of just one for every 100,000 children. This integration of medical and behavioral care seeks to reduce long wait times for initial diagnostic evaluations.
Soar Autism Center reported 600 completed consultations and 265 genetic test orders since its fall 2025 launch. The impact of these services on the national average wait time of 5.4 months for initial evaluations remains under investigation.
The players
Soar Autism Center
A multi-state provider of developmental and behavioral health services for children up to age 6.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A pediatric academic medical center that partners with local clinics to coordinate developmental care.
The details
The program model integrates developmental pediatrics providers with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavior analysts. By embedding medical services within a behavioral setting, the team provides comprehensive care coordination, laboratory testing, and medication management. In Pennsylvania, the center operates these diagnostic services in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Timeline
Fall 2025: Soar Autism Center launched its developmental pediatrics program.
October 27, 2026: The center released its latest program service figures.
Health Landscape
The current standard of care faces a severe bottleneck due to the national supply of only one developmental-behavioral pediatric subspecialist per 100,000 children. This program represents a growing trend toward integrated, multidisciplinary clinics designed to bypass traditional referral delays.
Families facing long wait times for developmental evaluations should discuss potential referral options with their primary care physician. Understanding the available care coordination services in your state can help streamline access to testing and necessary laboratory work.
The takeaway
Accessing specialized developmental care remains a challenge due to the national specialist shortage. Families should track their child's developmental milestones and consult a pediatrician early if they have concerns, as integrated clinics can provide necessary diagnostic and genetic testing services.
Further reading
For more information on diagnostic resources and support, visit our Autism section.
More information
Find local resources and program information at the Soar Autism Center referral and information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ColoradoBiz.
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