INFORMATIVE POSTS

If you suspect your child has AutismPlease reach out to the pediatrician for a referral for an Autism evaluation.  In the US a medical diagnosis can be provided by Developmental Pediatrician, Psychologist or Neurologist.
If your pediatrician refuses, it is recommended to seek a different pediatrician for a second opinion. Remember the pediatrician works for you, not the other way around. YOU know your child best and there is no harm in getting an evaluation even if you find out the child isn't diagnosed with Autism. 
Please Be AwareThe wait list for a diagnosis and services can be very long, 2-6 years in some places.  There is nothing wrong with calling around your state and asking about the wait list to different doctors that perform the evaluations.  An extra bit of a drive can actually save you months to years of waiting. 
What can be done while we wait?People say getting the diagnosis can open so many doors.  While that can be true, there are things you can do while you're in the waiting period.  Sometimes the pediatrician can provide you with a placeholder diagnosis of Global Developmental Delays, Receptive Language Delay, Speech Delay, or Sensory Processing Disorder. With one of these diagnoses you may be able to get therapy started and even apply for grants, SSI and various other funding sources.

Getting Therapy Started While you are waiting you can look into Early Intervention (Birth to 3) services. You can Google search pediatric occupational, speech, physical and ABA therapies in your area.  Depending on your insurance you may be able to get therapy services started prior to a diagnosis.   Some children will respond differently to in-home versus in-clinic therapies. You could do one or the other or both.  
Why so many different types of evaluations?There are different types of evaluations for diagnosing Autism.  Some insurance companies will require a medical diagnosis before helping to cover therapy costs associated, some do not.  Before starting school an educational evaluation can be done to determine the educational needs of the child.  Typically BOTH of these will need to occur.
When starting therapy or Early Intervention, they may conduct their own evaluation.  The educational and therapy evaluations do not result in an official diagnosis.
Educational Needs:If your child is around 3 years old, you can contact your local school district to request an educational  evaluation and let them know you suspect Autism.  Child Find is the government funded organization to look up in your area. 
As part of this process your child can receive an IEP, Individualized Education Program.  The IEP will act as a road map to direct the education team to take the appropriate routes to educate your child while ensuring the needs of your child are met. 
Your child may be eligible for therapy services (Occupational, Speech, ABA) through the school and as a part of the IEP. 
This could actually save you time in getting therapy started for your child.  Remember that just because your child starts off in special education classes, doesn't necessarily mean they will be throughout their school life.  It just indicates your child requires more attention than what a teacher in mainstream school can give.  
The teacher to student ratio are often 1:8-1:20. This doesn't allow the teacher to interact with the children 1 on 1. In special education the ratio can be 1:3, 1:2 and sometimes 1:1. 

How can I prepare for the appointment day? In preparation for the appointment it's a good idea to capture some short videos of the behaviors that concern you. Maybe even pictures. You want to be prepared to show the evaluators your concerned, because your child may not act the same as usual during the evaluation.  Have a list of behaviors, strengths and weaknesses.  
What to do on appointment dayOn the day of your evaluation appointment, try to relax. It's going to be ok. You may want to bring a drink for yourself and a drink and snack for your child. Maybe bring a couple of their comfort items.  And definitely bring your list, videos, pictures and any additional paperwork they have indicated you may need.
What's the evaluation look like?Alot of times the evaluation is an observation of your child. They are observing how they play, how they speak, how they interact and how they interact in a social setting with a new stranger.  
The other part of the evaluation is you answering questions.  They  will ask about your child's birth and development up to present and about their behaviors & struggles. They may start by asking you why you are concerned.
The most common Autism testing is done using the ADOS model. But this may vary by location, facility and insurance.  Your appointment may be a single appointment lasting a couple hours or multiple appointments.
Sometimes you get the results the same day sometimes you have to wait a couple weeks or a month.  That is the hardest part, not all of the processes are the same. However, when the appointment is scheduled you can ask them. Ask what to expect. There is nothing wrong with asking questions so you can be prepared!  If you receive the diagnosis and you do not agree, seek a second opinion.  You have every right to do so. 
We just got the diagnosis... now what⁉️
The first thing you need to do once you've received the diagnosis is BREATHE. Everyone has different experiences leading up to this moment and throughout their journey.  People will respond and process the information differently.  
All feelings and emotions you experience are completely valid.  When you first get the diagnosis is ok to cry, ok to be scared, ok to be angry, ok to grieve ... no one can tell you not to have those feelings. They're yours to feel. You have that right!  You could celebrate it if you want. Some people do.   We are here for you. Please let us know how we can help. If you need to work through some emotions and want to reach out to someone who understands and can relate, feel free to message an admin.  
Give yourself and your family some time to process the information and begin to plan.  Remember the diagnosis has not changed your child. They are the same today as they were yesterday!  
With the diagnosis you should have received a recommendation for therapy.  Begin looking into what your insurance coverage looks like for the services.  Start researching and contacting companies that offer the services you would like your child to receive.  
If your child is under the age of 3, they may be eligible for Early Intervention services.  If they are nearly 3 or over, they may be eligible for Special Education services through the school system.  Therapy is typically offered with both Ealy Intervention and Special Education.  
Don't forget to check out your local resources. Your County Health Department should have information on their website as to what's locally available. Also, check with your local Developmental Disability Officer.
Here is a short summary of different therapies that may be available to your child.- Speech Therapy (ST) - addresses challenges with language and communication- Occupational Therapy (OT) - helps people work on cognitive, physical, social, and motor skills- Physical Therapy (PT) - can help acquire new motor skills, develop better coordination, and more stable posture, develop motor imitation skills- Feeding Therapy - can expand the diet of an autistic child and help to change negative behaviors related to eating and feeding- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – can improve skills like: Communication and language abilities, Social skills, Self-care, and hygiene routines, Play and leisure skills, Motor abilities Most children do improve, learn, and grow with therapy. However, all children are different. It may take time. You may need to switch therapist until you find the one that works best for your child.
Unfortunately, there's no cure for Autism. The best strategy is therapy, patience, love, and guidance.  Nobody can foresee the future, only time holds the answers.  We believe in you. You will succeed in helping your loved one to live their very best life!