Getting Started
A step-by-step roadmap for the early stages: diagnosis, building a support team, navigating insurance, and finding the right school.
Step 1: Initial Evaluation and Diagnosis
Getting a formal diagnosis is often the first step in accessing services and support. Early intervention is key.
Key Points:
- Contact your pediatrician for a referral
- Schedule evaluation with developmental pediatrician or neurologist
- Gather developmental history and concerns
- Complete assessment tools and questionnaires
Step 2: Build Your Support Team
Assemble a team of professionals who understand autism and can provide comprehensive support.
Key Points:
- Find autism-experienced pediatrician
- Connect with speech, occupational, and physical therapists
- Research local autism support organizations
- Join parent support groups
Step 3: Understand Insurance and Benefits
Understanding your coverage is critical for accessing and funding the services your child needs.
Key Points:
- Review your insurance policy for autism coverage
- Understand copays, deductibles, and coverage limits
- Research state autism insurance mandates
- Apply for any available state or federal benefits
Step 4: Educational Planning
Ensure your child receives appropriate educational support and services. You are your child's best advocate.
Key Points:
- Review early intervention, daycare, preschool and therapy options
- At school age, review special education options in public school system
- Research autism school options and programs
- Understand your rights under IDEA
Early Signs by Age
A developmental guide to what autism may look like from infancy through early childhood, and why earlier evaluation always leads to better outcomes.
Key Points:
- Signs can appear as early as 6-12 months
- Social communication differences are often the first indicators
- Regression in skills is an important warning sign
- Early evaluation does not require a complete symptom picture
Your First 30 Days
A practical, week-by-week guide for what to prioritize after your child's diagnosis so you can move forward without burning out in the process.
Key Points:
- Focus on one step at a time rather than everything at once
- Secure evaluations and school meetings early
- Connect with other autism parents for peer support
- Your child is the same child they were before the diagnosis
Talking to Family
Sharing your child's diagnosis with grandparents, siblings, and extended family is its own challenge. Here is how to approach those conversations with clarity and confidence.
Key Points:
- Plan the conversation before it happens
- Keep the language simple and positive
- Prepare for a range of reactions, including denial
- Share resources with family members who want to learn more
IEP vs 504 Plan
Understanding the difference between these two school support frameworks helps parents push for the right level of services and legal protections for their child.
Key Points:
- IEPs provide specialized instruction and are more comprehensive
- 504 plans provide accommodations without specialized instruction
- IEPs require an eligibility determination meeting
- Both are legally binding documents with parental rights
All Getting Started Articles(8)
IEP vs 504 Plan: What Parents of Autistic Children Need to Know
Understanding the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan helps parents advocate for the right school supports for their autistic child.
Talking to Family About Your Child's Autism Diagnosis
Sharing your child's autism diagnosis with family can be harder than the diagnosis itself. Here is how to approach those conversations.
The First 30 Days After an Autism Diagnosis: A Practical Guide
Receiving your child's autism diagnosis is a lot to process. Here is a practical plan for what to do, and what to skip, in the first month.
Early Signs of Autism by Age: What to Watch For from Infancy Through Early Childhood
Knowing the early signs of autism by age can help parents seek evaluation and support sooner. Here is what to watch for at each stage of development.
School & Support: Finding the Right Educational Fit for Your Autistic Child
Finding the right school is one of the most important decisions for autism families. Learn about IEPs, IDEA rights, and how to advocate effectively.
Navigating the Maze: Understanding Insurance & Funding for Autism Support
Understanding insurance for autism services is challenging. Learn to maximize benefits, appeal denials, and use your state autism insurance mandate.
Beyond Diagnosis: Building Your Child's Core Support Team
After an autism diagnosis, the right support team makes all the difference. Learn which professionals to seek and how to build coordinated care.
Starting Your Journey: How to Get an Autism Diagnosis (and Why It Matters)
Getting an autism diagnosis opens doors to support and services. This parent guide walks through the evaluation process and what to expect at each step.