My Child Was Diagnosed with Autism, Now What?

Following the diagnosis there are many things to think about and it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some provider tips on where to start.

1) Research local ABA, Speech and OT therapy providers. Plan visits to a few different centers if there are multiple options near where you live. The culture of clinics can differ widely so keep this in mind as you are touring clinics. Keep a list of anything specific you want to know about the clinic to ask on the tour. Some places may offer multiple types of services all in one place such as OT and Speech. Some providers may offer only in-clinic services, or only in-home services, while some may offer both. Discuss with providers what they offer and what might be most appropriate for your child and family. If you don’t already have local provider recommendations, Autism Speaks has a resource guide available based on your location linked below. https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide

2) Once you have found some local providers of interest to you, call and inquire on what requirements you need to complete to be added to their waitlist. Ask if they have open availability, and if not, if they have an anticipated timeline for availability. Note that it is common for some ABA providers to have waitlists of 6 months to a year and there are many variables that can impact this timeline, so even if you don’t feel ready for your child to begin services yet, the sooner you get on a waitlist the better. Consider putting your child on a couple waitlists in case availability becomes available sooner at one place over another.

3) Don’t waste time looking at the mainstream advertised ‘treatments’ for Autism. There are many ‘treatments’ out there that are not evidence based and have the potential to be harmful. Best practice is early intervention for your child so- THE best thing you can do is to start the process for early intervention services through ABA, Speech, OT and PT if applicable. Providers will also be able to give you additional insight into evidence-based treatments and help you navigate what will be most helpful based on the individual needs of your child.

4) While you are waiting for services to start, I highly recommend reading the book An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn: 9781609184704: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com This book provides an overview of the importance of social engagement for toddlers as a foundation for learning. It also discusses many of the practices you will see utilized in ABA therapy and the purpose behind them. It also gives you very practical examples of how you can incorporate these skills into your everyday routines with your child.

5) Connect with others alongside you in this journey. Join a local parent group or support group. There are many Facebook and community groups available where parents share everything from recommendations and resources to just venting personal experiences. It can help to have others that are alongside this journey with you. A diagnosis can feel isolating but there are so many parents who have walked where you walk now, and you are not alone.

My encouragement to you is this: the fact you are seeking out this kind of information says you are working hard to learn how to meet the needs of your child and- you’re doing a great job Mom and Dad. You can do this!