If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism or is showing signs that lead you to seek support, you may have heard about something called the CMDE—short for Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation. While this term can sound overwhelming at first, understanding the CMDE is an important part of accessing services that can make a meaningful difference in your child’s life.
At Alight Behavioral, we’re here to walk you through the process and remove the stress that often comes with navigating evaluations and paperwork. We provide both diagnostic evaluations and CMDE services in-house—so your family receives guidance and care at every step, all in one place.
Here’s what you need to know about the CMDE process and what you can expect during your child’s evaluation.
What Is the CMDE?
The Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) is a required step for children in Minnesota who are seeking services through the EIDBI (Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention) benefit—a Medicaid-supported program that provides ABA therapy and related services for children and young adults with autism or related conditions.
The CMDE confirms that your child:
- Has a qualifying condition such as autism spectrum disorder
- Meets criteria for medical necessity of services
- Requires developmental and behavioral support to improve functioning across daily environments (home, school, community)
It is a clinical tool, used to assess your child’s current strengths, areas of need, and treatment recommendations. It is not only required for access to EIDBI services, but also serves as a valuable resource to guide therapy and intervention planning.
Who Conducts the CMDE?
A CMDE must be completed by a qualified provider—typically a licensed mental health professional, psychologist, or medical provider trained in developmental evaluations.
At Alight Behavioral, we provide in-house CMDEs through experienced clinicians who specialize in evaluating children with autism and related needs. This means you don’t need to juggle multiple referrals or wait months to find an outside evaluator. We handle it all under one roof, with a team that already understands your family and your goals.
When Is the CMDE Completed?
The CMDE is usually completed after a diagnosis is received and before starting EIDBI-funded services like ABA therapy. However, Alight Behavioral can also complete the autism diagnostic evaluation for families who haven’t yet received a formal diagnosis.
If your child already has a diagnosis from another provider, we’ll help determine whether it meets EIDBI requirements and whether an updated CMDE is needed. We also assist with renewing CMDEs as required by Minnesota’s guidelines (typically every three years).
What to Expect During the CMDE Process
The CMDE is a detailed evaluation, but our goal at Alight Behavioral is to make it feel approachable and child-friendly. Here’s what you can generally expect from the process:
1. Intake and Background Information
Before the evaluation, our team will gather important information about your child’s development, medical history, behavior, and daily functioning. This includes caregiver input—because your perspective is essential to understanding your child’s needs.
2. Direct Observation and Assessment
During the CMDE appointment, the evaluator will meet with your child in a calm, supportive setting. They may use standardized tools, play-based observation, or ask your child to complete simple tasks depending on age and developmental level. The goal is to get a clear picture of your child’s skills in areas such as communication, social interaction, behavior, and adaptive functioning.
3. Parent Interview and Discussion
You’ll meet with the evaluator to talk through your child’s strengths, areas of concern, and how they function at home and in other settings. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and share your priorities for treatment and care.
4. Review of Recommendations
After the evaluation, the clinician will compile a written report with detailed findings and clear, individualized treatment recommendations. This report confirms your child’s eligibility for EIDBI services and outlines the next steps.
Alight Behavioral ensures that this information is shared with you in a way that’s easy to understand and directly applicable to your child’s care. We’ll also handle submission to the appropriate agencies and insurance providers to avoid delays in starting therapy.
How the CMDE Supports Your Child’s Therapy Plan
The CMDE does more than check off a requirement—it creates the foundation for a well-informed, personalized ABA therapy plan.
By identifying your child’s developmental profile, strengths, and challenges, the CMDE helps guide:
- Goal setting for ABA therapy
- Recommendations for service hours and frequency
- Coordination with other services such as speech or occupational therapy
- Family training and support needs
It ensures that therapy isn’t generic—it’s built around your child’s specific needs and your family’s priorities.
What About Families in North Carolina?
While the CMDE is specific to Minnesota’s EIDBI program, families in North Carolina can still benefit from Alight Behavioral’s comprehensive evaluations and in-home ABA therapy services. Our team helps families understand insurance coverage, completes all required assessments, and develops individualized therapy plans tailored to your child’s goals.
Whether you’re in Minnesota or North Carolina, we bring expertise, empathy, and full-service support to your child’s care journey.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
The evaluation process doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. At Alight Behavioral, we’re here to make every step—diagnosis, evaluation, and therapy—clear and manageable for your family. Our in-house team offers diagnostic assessments, CMDE services, and in-home ABA therapy designed to support your child’s progress where it matters most: in your home, alongside your family.
If you’re just beginning your journey or need help accessing the services your child qualifies for, we’re ready to walk with you.
Contact Alight Behavioral today to schedule your child’s evaluation or learn more about how our in-home ABA therapy services in Minnesota and North Carolina can help your child thrive.
