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What changes after the Minnesota CMDE and what it decides

Author : Alight Behavioral Therapy | Published On : 22 Oct 2026

The CMDE is one of the biggest steps in getting Minnesota's EIDBI services started. Once it's done, families often expect things to move quickly. Some things do. Others take a little longer to settle. Here's what usually changes after the CMDE, and what it actually decides.

What the CMDE decides

The comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation confirms your child's diagnosis of autism or a related condition. It also decides whether EIDBI services are medically necessary and helps shape what those services should look like: what kind of intervention fits, and roughly how intensive it should be.

It's not the treatment plan itself. It's the foundation the treatment plan is built on.

Change 1: you can choose a provider

Once the CMDE is complete, you can pick an EIDBI provider. Some families already have one lined up. Others start calling around now.

Ask each provider how soon they can begin, whether they offer in-home or clinic services, and who will supervise your child's program.

Change 2: the treatment plan gets written

The provider uses the CMDE to write an individual treatment plan. The plan lists goals, the type of services, and how many hours are recommended.

Ask to see the draft and ask how each goal connects to what the CMDE found. If something important to your family is missing, say so.

Change 3: the hours question gets real

Many families are surprised by the recommended hours, either more or fewer than they expected. It helps to know that the research on intensity isn't as clear-cut as you might hear. A review of studies on early intervention found that behavioral approaches help, but what the research says about therapy hours shows limited evidence for a fixed number like 25 to 40 hours a week.

So ask why the provider is recommending the number they are, and what they'd expect to see at that level.

Change 4: your schedule fills up

EIDBI services often happen several days a week. If they're in-home, you'll need to plan around them. If they're at a clinic, you'll need to plan the drive.

Build in breaks. A schedule that leaves your child exhausted won't work for long.

Tell the provider about the rest of your week too: school hours, speech or OT, family commitments. The best schedule is one your family can actually keep for months, not one that looks good on paper.

Change 5: progress gets tracked

Once services start, your child's progress is tracked regularly. The treatment plan gets reviewed and updated as goals are met or need adjusting. You'll hear words like "data" and "mastery" more often.

Ask how often you'll get progress updates and in what form.

Change 6: the CMDE has an expiry

The CMDE isn't permanent. It needs to be updated at least every three years. Put a note on your calendar for about two and a half years from now.

What doesn't change

Your child is still your child. The CMDE describes needs and recommendations, but it doesn't define who they are. You still know them best, and your input still matters at every step.

Questions to ask after the CMDE

  • What did the CMDE find, in plain terms?

  • What type and level of services does it support?

  • How soon can services start?

  • When does the CMDE need updating?

Choosing services

If you're comparing EIDBI providers after the CMDE, it helps to look at how each one sets up programs and supports families. You can explore Alight Behavioral Therapy's services in Minnesota.

Today, find your CMDE report and highlight the recommendations section. Bring it to your first provider meeting.