Lowell CHC Launches Autism Evaluation Clinic to Reduce Wait Times and Support Early Childhood Development
Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is proud to announce the launch of its new Autism Evaluation Clinic, designed to help families receive faster answers and critical support during the earliest and most important years of their children’s development. The clinic is open to current Lowell CHC patients, and to new patients who start getting their child’s regular care at Lowell CHC before the autism evaluation begins.
The clinic will serve children between 18 months and 3 years old, a key window for identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and beginning early therapies that can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Currently, families are often referred to specialized developmental clinics in the region, where wait times for evaluations can be as long as one to two years. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average delay between the first signs of autism and diagnosis is 2.2 years, a gap that can limit access to services proven to help.
“Delays in diagnosis can make an already difficult time even harder for families,” said Natalie Bowen, MD, Chief of Pediatrics at Lowell CHC. “We created this clinic to make sure families aren’t waiting years for answers. Early diagnosis opens the door to services that can make a meaningful difference. Our goal is to help families access care quickly and begin supportive therapies during the most formative years of their child’s life.”

Pediatric and Family Medicine providers at Lowell CHC will work with Early Intervention specialists to find children who may show signs of autism. If there are concerns, the child will be scheduled for a full evaluation. This includes three visits and uses trusted tools to help with the diagnosis.
The clinic will initially operate two Thursday afternoon sessions per month, with plans to expand based on need. Dedicated staff members will help coordinate care, support families through the process, and ensure follow-through with recommendations and referrals.
Parents and caregivers should talk to their child’s Lowell CHC Primary Care Provider if they have any concerns about their child’s development. Early signs of autism could include:
- Delays in speech
- Poor eye contact
- Not responding to their name (despite normal hearing)
- Repetitive behaviors like hand flapping
- Use of scripted or repetitive language
For more information or to begin the evaluation process, existing patients—or new patients looking to establish care—should call our main number at 978-937-9700 or speak with their child’s Lowell CHC provider.