Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can bring a lot of emotions and a lot of questions. If you’re wondering what to do after an autism diagnosis, you’re not alone. You may feel relieved to finally have some answers. You may feel overwhelmed by everything you’ve been told. Or you may simply be wondering, What do we do now? There is no single roadmap that every family needs to follow after an autism diagnosis. Every child is different, and every family’s needs, priorities and circumstances are different, too. You don’t have to figure everything out at once. The next step is simply learning more about your child, understanding the support available to your family and beginning to decide what feels right for them.
1. Give Yourself Time to Understand the Diagnosis
An autism diagnosis can come with unfamiliar terminology, recommendations and information. You may leave an appointment with a list of resources and referrals without really knowing where to begin. Start with the questions that matter most to you. What does the diagnosis mean for my child? What are their strengths? Where could they use additional support? What can we do at home? Are there therapies or services we should explore? Write your questions down as they come to you. Bring them to your child’s pediatrician, developmental specialist or other members of their care team. You don’t need to become an expert overnight. Understanding your child’s needs is something that happens over time.
2. Learn About the Different Types of Support Available
After an autism diagnosis, families may hear about several different services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, school-based services and other developmental supports. These services aren’t necessarily either/or. Depending on your child’s needs, several professionals may work together to support different areas of development. For example, ABA therapy is an evidence-based approach that can help children build meaningful skills related to communication, social interaction, daily living, independence and behavior. The important question isn’t simply, “What therapy should my child receive?” It’s “What support will help my child build the skills that are meaningful to them and our family?” Every child learns differently, and their support should reflect that.
3. Talk With Your Insurance Company
Insurance can be one of the more confusing parts of beginning autism services, so it’s worth addressing early. Contact your insurance provider and ask what autism-related services are covered under your plan. You can also ask whether you need a referral, prior authorization or additional documentation before beginning services. When you’re considering a provider, ask whether they participate with your insurance and whether their team can help you understand the authorization and intake process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Terms like authorization, assessment, treatment plan and medical necessity may be routine for providers and insurance companies, but they may be completely new to you.
4. Consider What You Want Support to Look Like for Your Child
A diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is. As you explore services, think about your child’s personality, strengths, interests and needs. What would meaningful progress look like in their everyday life? Maybe you’d like your child to have an easier way to communicate what they want or need. Maybe you’re working toward greater independence with everyday routines. Perhaps you’d like to help them build social skills, manage transitions or participate more comfortably in family and community activities. Progress doesn’t have to look the same for every child. The goal should be to build on your child’s strengths while helping them develop skills that can make everyday life more successful and meaningful.
5. Research Providers and Ask Questions
Finding a provider is about more than finding someone who has an opening. It’s about finding the right fit for your child and your family. When you begin talking with providers, ask questions about their approach to care. Find out how treatment plans are developed, how goals are selected, how progress is measured and how families are involved.
You may also want to ask:
- What will a typical session look like for my child?
- How will you incorporate my child’s interests and strengths?
- How are parents and caregivers involved?
- How will you communicate with us about progress?
- Who will be part of my child’s clinical team?
- How often are treatment goals reviewed?
- How do you collaborate with other professionals involved in my child’s care?
You should feel comfortable asking questions before making a decision.
6. Remember That You Are Part of the Team
Therapy doesn’t happen in isolation. Parents and caregivers know their children in ways no clinician ever could. Your experiences, concerns, priorities and observations are important pieces of your child’s care. A strong provider should listen to you, communicate openly and help you understand what your child is working on and why. They should also help you take what your child is learning in therapy and apply it to everyday life.
At Heart to Heart, we believe families and clinical teams work best when they work together. The strategic approach behind our ABA services emphasizes parent education, open communication and strategies families can use outside of therapy sessions.
You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out
After an autism diagnosis, it’s easy to feel like you need to immediately make every appointment, understand every therapy and make every decision.
You don’t.
Start by learning. Ask questions. Pay attention to what your child needs. And surround your family with people who are willing to listen and help you understand your options. At Heart to Heart, our ABA team provides individualized, play-based therapy designed around each child’s unique strengths, needs, interests and goals. We focus on meaningful skills including communication, social development, daily living and independence while partnering with families throughout the process.
If you’re exploring ABA therapy for your child and aren’t sure what comes next, we’re here to answer your questions.
Talk With Our ABA Team
Learn more about ABA therapy, ask questions about the intake process or schedule a tour of our East Orange ABA Center. Email our team at ABA@h2hnj.com or click here to learn more about our ABA center and in-home services.