FronteraCare Launches Groundbreaking Diagnostics Network to Revolutionize Access to Child Developmental Assessments and Accelerate Early Intervention
In a transformative move aimed at dismantling systemic barriers in pediatric behavioral and developmental healthcare, FronteraCare—a subsidiary of Frontera and a recognized pioneer in advancing health equity—has unveiled its Diagnostics Network, a first-of-its-kind service designed to dramatically shorten the timeline from parental concern to clinical diagnosis and actionable support for children. At a time when families across the United States routinely face waitlists of 4 to 12 months for critical developmental assessments, FronteraCare is offering a streamlined, compassionate, and highly efficient alternative that can connect children to appropriate interventions in as little as 30 days.
This innovative network arrives amid a growing national crisis in child mental and developmental health. With an estimated 1 in 5 individuals now considered neurodiverse—including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, and other neurodevelopmental conditions—the demand for timely, accurate, and accessible diagnostic services has never been greater. Yet, the traditional healthcare system remains plagued by bottlenecks, geographic disparities, and fragmented care pathways that leave families feeling lost, frustrated, and powerless during some of their most vulnerable moments.
“No child should feel stuck waiting, especially when we know how critical early intervention is in shaping long-term outcomes,” said Amol Deshpande, CEO and Co-Founder of Frontera. “Our Diagnostics Network fundamentally reimagines the journey from concern to action. Parents can now receive immediate insights from expert clinicians and get their child on the right developmental path—without months of uncertainty or bureaucratic delays.”
How the FronteraCare Diagnostics Network Works
At its core, the FronteraCare Diagnostics Network is a virtual-first, end-to-end diagnostic service powered by a multidisciplinary team of licensed psychologists, developmental specialists, and behavioral health clinicians. The process is intentionally designed to be family-centered, data-driven, and rapid, while maintaining the highest clinical standards.
It begins when a parent or caregiver expresses concern about their child’s social, emotional, academic, or behavioral development. Rather than being placed on a months-long waitlist, the family is quickly matched with a FronteraCare clinician for an initial consultation. During this session, the clinician gathers a comprehensive history, listens to the family’s observations, and collaborates with them to co-create a personalized assessment plan tailored to the child’s unique profile.
The assessment phase leverages a blend of standardized tools, observational data, input from teachers or caregivers (with consent), and cutting-edge biomarker science—all conducted virtually or through minimally invasive at-home methods. This holistic approach ensures a 360-degree understanding of the child’s strengths, challenges, and needs.
Once testing is complete, families receive a clear, comprehensive diagnostic report written in accessible language. The report includes not only clinical findings but also specific, actionable recommendations—such as eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), referrals to speech or occupational therapy, behavioral intervention strategies, school accommodations, or community resources. Critically, this entire process can be completed without ever requiring an in-person clinic visit, removing geographic and logistical barriers that disproportionately affect rural, low-income, and underserved communities.
Strategic Partnerships Power Innovation
The launch of the Diagnostics Network is made possible through powerful collaborations with two industry-leading health technology companies: LinusBio and AT4K.
LinusBio contributes its groundbreaking ClearStrand-ASD test—the world’s first biochemical screening tool for autism that analyzes a single strand of hair to detect biological signatures associated with ASD. Unlike traditional behavioral observations that often can’t yield reliable results until age 2 or 3, ClearStrand-ASD can be used as early as 1 month of age, enabling unprecedented opportunities for early detection and intervention. The test is non-invasive, conducted at home, and provides objective biological data that complements clinical evaluations.
AT4K, a leader in virtual pediatric diagnostics, brings its robust telehealth infrastructure and extensive clinical network to the partnership. Its platform integrates digital assessment tools, secure data collection, and real-time clinician collaboration to make the evaluation process faster, more accurate, and family-friendly. By combining AT4K’s operational excellence with LinusBio’s scientific innovation, FronteraCare delivers a truly integrated diagnostic experience.
“Together, we’re not just diagnosing conditions—we’re illuminating pathways to support,” said Deshpande. “This isn’t about labels; it’s about understanding a child’s unique neurology and equipping families with the tools to nurture their potential.”
From Clarity to Action: Empowering Families with Next Steps
One of the most significant differentiators of the FronteraCare model is its commitment to closing the loop between diagnosis and support. Too often, families receive a report with a diagnosis but little guidance on what to do next. FronteraCare eliminates this gap by embedding care navigation into its service. Families leave the process not only with answers but with a clear roadmap—whether that means initiating school-based services, connecting to therapy providers, accessing financial aid programs, or joining parent support communities.
This “clarity-to-action” approach aligns with Frontera’s broader mission of health equity. By offering affordable self-pay options and operating in all PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact) states, the network ensures that high-quality diagnostic care is accessible regardless of insurance status or zip code. PSYPACT enables licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology across state lines, dramatically expanding reach to families in states where specialist shortages are most acute.
Why This Matters: Addressing a National Crisis
The urgency of FronteraCare’s intervention cannot be overstated. According to the CDC, the average age of autism diagnosis in the U.S. remains around 4 years, despite evidence that signs can be detected much earlier. For ADHD and learning disabilities, delays are similarly common. Every month of waiting represents a missed opportunity for early intervention—a period during which the brain is most malleable and responsive to support.
Moreover, systemic inequities mean that Black, Latino, rural, and low-income children are diagnosed later and less frequently than their white, urban, or affluent peers. FronteraCare’s virtual, scalable model directly challenges these disparities by bringing expert care into the home and reducing reliance on fragmented, clinic-based systems.
“We believe all families deserve timely answers,” Deshpande emphasized. “All are welcome to utilize this network as we continue to fulfill our mission to provide fast, affordable, and high-quality access to care.”
