No Waitlist - Now Accepting New Clients for ABA therapy!
Where do you start?
Receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis for your child can bring a whirlwind of emotions—relief at having answers, coupled with a deep sense of overwhelm about what to do next.
The most important thing to remember right now is that your child is exactly the same wonderful person they were before the diagnosis. The diagnosis hasn't changed who they are; it has simply handed you a roadmap and a key to unlock the resources, funding, and targeted support they need to thrive. Because the path forward involves coordinating between medical, educational, and therapeutic systems, taking it step-by-step is the best way to protect your own peace of mind while advocating for your child.
Take a Moment to Process
Before jumping into scheduling, give yourself permission to breathe and feel whatever you are feeling—whether that's grief, anxiety, or determination.
Create an "Autism Binder": Start a physical binder or a dedicated digital folder. You are about to receive a high volume of paperwork. Keep the official diagnostic report, psychological evaluations, medical records, and insurance communications here. You will need to present these repeatedly.
Lean on community: Look into local or online parent support groups. Connecting with other parents who "know the ropes" is often the quickest way to find the best local providers, therapists, and recreational programs.
Secure Care
An official medical diagnosis opens the door for private therapies, which are typically funded through health insurance. Your diagnosing clinician or pediatrician will likely recommend a combination of the following specialized therapies based on your child's specific profile:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy: A highly individualized, evidence-based approach that focuses on building functional communication, social interactions, and daily living skills while reducing challenging behaviors through positive reinforcement.
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP): Essential if your child has speech delays, struggles with functional communication, or needs help navigating social communication (pragmatics).
Occupational Therapy (OT): Highly beneficial for addressing sensory processing differences (over- or under-sensitivity to lights, sounds, or textures), emotional regulation, and fine/gross motor skills.
Insurance Action Step: Contact your health insurance provider immediately to understand your behavioral health benefits. Ask explicitly about coverage limits, deductibles, and pre-authorization requirements for ABA, speech, and occupational therapies.
Tap into State and Educational Support Network
In addition to private therapy, your child is entitled to public support services based on their age. You do not need to wait for private therapies to begin before starting this process.
If your child is under 3 years old:
Contact your state’s Early Intervention (EI) program. You can self-refer without a doctor's note. They will conduct an assessment to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and provide developmental therapies directly in your home or daycare setting.
If your child is 3 ears or older:
Contact your local public school district’s special education department in writing to request a formal evaluation for special education services. This process determines eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
An IEP ensures your child receives necessary accommodations, specialized instruction, and potentially school-based speech or occupational therapy at no cost to you, even if they are not yet old enough for kindergarten.