Helping you navigate the process

Autism Diagnosis & Evaluation

At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, we provide trusted autism diagnosis and evaluation services to help families in North Carolina and the Greater Phoenix area get clarity and a plan for the future. 

Our team is here to guide you because early answers make all the difference.

Call 919-705-0668

The key to timely support

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

The earlier autism is identified, the sooner your child can receive support that builds communication, social, and daily living skills. 

Early diagnosis helps unlock developmental growth during the most critical stages and gives families the tools to move forward with confidence.

Guiding you through every stage

What to Expect

Our evaluation process is built to be clear, supportive, and centered around your child’s needs.

  • Step 1: Developmental Screening

 We start with trusted screening tools to assess milestones and behaviors.

  • Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment

If needed, we complete a full evaluation using gold-standard tools, such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, alongside observations and caregiver input.

  • Step 3: Personalized Results

You’ll receive a detailed report explaining the findings, along with recommendations for therapies, school supports, and next steps.

Every step is designed to provide answers and a clear plan.

The experts behind the process

Who Performs the Evaluation

Your child will be evaluated by licensed experts, including:

  • Developmental Psychologists
  • Pediatric Specialists
  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)

Each professional is experienced, compassionate, and focused on delivering clear, actionable insights for families.

Tailored support for each individual

Who We Help

Our Autism Diagnosis & Evaluation services are available for:

  • Children 18 months to 18 years old
  • Families living in North Carolina and Arizona
  • Those noticing communication delays, social challenges, repetitive behaviors, or other developmental concerns

If you have questions about your child’s development, we encourage you to reach out early.

Cardinal's

Locations

Arizona

Clinic Address:

8433 N. Black Canyon
Highway, Phoenix AZ 85021

Community Services in: Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Avondale, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, & Buckeye.

Directions

Contact Center

See AZ Services

North Carolina

Clinic Addresses:

956 W. Chatham
St. Cary, NC 27511

3911 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington NC 28403

Community Services In: Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Morrisville, Clayton, Cleveland, Selma, Smithfield, Benson, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, High Point, Four Oaks, Wilmington & Wilson Mills.

Directions

Contact Center

See NC Services

Begin your journey with us

How to Get Started

Starting the evaluation process with Cardinal Pediatric Therapies is simple:

  • Submit an online intake form or call 866-812-2030
  • Complete a brief pre-evaluation consultation
  • Schedule your child’s in-person evaluation
  • Review results and plan next steps together

Understanding what comes next

After the Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. With Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, families gain access to:

  • ABA Therapy Programs (In-home and In-clinic)
  • Speech and Occupational Therapy Support
  • Classroom Readiness Programs
  • Parent Coaching & Family Support

We’re ready to help your child thrive at every stage.

Understanding your coverage and costs

Insurance and Payment Options

We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible payment options. Our intake team is here to verify your benefits and help you navigate the process with ease.

"Alice, the chief of staff, is excellent. She answered many of my questions and concerns as a parent and has been a huge help in my son’s goals and programs. She clearly explained my son’s treatment plan and progress, and my son has already been improving within the first month." 
Cynthia
"We’ve been searching for ABA for a while, and then we found Cardinal ABA, who explained and processed our applications right away. Two weeks into ABA, we’ve already noticed improvements in our son. Thank you, Cardinal ABA."
Richard
"I’ve been calling around for weeks now looking for the right clinic, and Cardinal was the first place that really took the time to understand my family’s situation and educate me as to what services are available and how everything works. It is really evident that this is a place that cares."
Garret
"Cardinal ABA is a great organization. I couldn’t ask for better ABA resources!"
Shelby

Questions? Get in Touch!

We're here to help

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Cardinal Pediatric Therapies provides ABA therapy services for children with autism in North Carolina and the Greater Phoenix area, offering in-clinic and in-home therapy, parent training, and classroom readiness programs.

919-705-0668
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©

2025

©

2025

Cardinal Pediatric Therapies

ABA Therapy Services

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.