I went to a private Psychologist for evaluations. It was expensive but I was able to get an appointment and immediate diagnosis. Depending on where you live you can also get it through First steps. (I think that’s what it was called)
Keep researching and calling. Unfortunately you have to be persistent and not take no for an answer. Good luck.

Hey!! I would suggest to take it into your own hands. Pretend he does have ASD diagnosis then do your own research. 👍🏻 it will seem overwhelmed at first, but charting is very important, and routines, repeating words. Even with a diagnosis, there isn’t much help, and there’s more waiting lists. That’s the best advice I can give you, as someone did for me, when my son was that age! It gives you confidence as a mom too, that things can get better and change without waiting for doctors or services. Some days, you will feel like the things you do aren’t working and that’s ok, there’s plan A,B,C,D! And it takes about 2 weeks to set something new to see some results, and sometimes after 1-2 weeks you think you got it, but then they regress, so it’s back to plan A, and then work back up! It’s not easy but I know you can do this 💕

Telehealth is always an option. We used As You Are and they are very good if your child has “obvious autism signs” but for high functioning or harder to diagnose cases, I do not recommend.

Call every week and ask where you are on the waitlist. Once a month, ask to speak to supervisor and ask them where you are on the waitlist. They might move you up just to stop you from calling. I was on a waitlist but then figured out that they were prioritizing new babies who were born with issues diagnosable at birth and taking them right away. And if you have the address of the office, stop by, reiterate to the front desk that he’s been in the list for a year and you really need a diagnosis to start his therapies. And then- I recommend you call the OT and get on that waitlist, because they have a waitlist too and by the time you get him diagnosed you might get off the OT waitlist. Sorry you have to deal with this, it’s not ideal.

It took me 4 years of pushing for doctors to diagnose my son! It’s a long process. The best advice is to do everything you would if he was diagnosed today, and take charge of your own future as most don’t get the help they need! Do your own research, start charting for your child, and have pictures that can be used to help if they need something but can’t verbalize it. Take courses, read books! You’ve got this