CMDE Assessments

The evaluation that starts every treatment plan on the right foot

A Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation, or CMDE, is the first step toward EIDBI-funded therapy. It’s how we understand your child’s unique needs and build a plan of care that actually fits them.
BCBA-Led Evaluation Team
Minnesota EIDBI Provider
Clear Next Steps After Every Evaluation
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What Is a CMDE?

A complete picture of your child’s development, not just a diagnosis

A Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) is a structured assessment used across Minnesota’s EIDBI program to establish medical necessity for early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention. Rather than looking at a single symptom or behavior, a CMDE brings together developmental history, direct observation, and standardized tools to build a full picture of how your child communicates, learns, and interacts with the world.
The result is not just a diagnosis confirmation. It is the clinical foundation that shapes your child’s Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), the therapy hours they qualify for, and the specific goals our team will work toward together.
What a CMDE establishes
Whether your child meets criteria for autism spectrum disorder or a related condition
Medical necessity for EIDBI-funded services
A baseline for your child’s communication, behavior, and daily living skills
The foundation for your child’s Individual Treatment Plan
Inside the Evaluation

What actually happens during a CMDE

The evaluation combines groundwork done ahead of time with hands-on time with your child.

Before the Evaluation

Review of prior evaluations, school records, and existing diagnoses
A developmental history questionnaire completed by parents or caregivers
A conversation about your specific concerns and goals for your child

During the Evaluation

Direct, play-based observation of your child in a comfortable setting
Standardized diagnostic tools administered by trained evaluators
Team-based clinical review to confirm findings and next steps
The Process

From your first call to a completed evaluation

01

Referral & Intake

Reach out or get referred by a provider, school, or case manager. We gather basic information and check your coverage.
02

Records & History

We review prior evaluations and developmental history to avoid duplicating work that has already been done.
03

Evaluation Day

Our multi-disciplinary team observes your child and administers standardized assessments in a low-pressure setting.
04

Results & Treatment Plan

We walk you through the findings and begin building your child’s Individual Treatment Plan right away.
What Comes Next

After your CMDE, we build your child’s Individual Treatment Plan

The evaluation results become the roadmap for every therapy session that follows, from ABA to speech and occupational therapy.
Common Questions

Questions families ask about the CMDE

Evaluation length varies by child, but most families can expect a single extended session, sometimes split across two visits if needed to keep your child comfortable.

Not necessarily. If your child has a valid, current CMDE from another provider, we can often move straight to building their Individual Treatment Plan.

For most families enrolled in Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, or MA-TEFRA, the CMDE is covered as part of the EIDBI benefit. Our team can verify your specific coverage before scheduling.

Any prior evaluations, school records, or diagnostic paperwork you have help us build the most complete picture, though they are not required to get started.

We review the results with you and begin building your child’s Individual Treatment Plan, so there is no unnecessary gap between evaluation and starting care.

Ready to schedule your child’s CMDE?

Reach out today and our team will help verify your coverage and get an evaluation on the calendar.