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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Lawrenceville, VA
July 14, 2013
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around a parent struggling to navigate next steps after their 3-year-old's autism diagnosis, offering both practical guidance... Read more

Members rallied around a parent struggling to navigate next steps after their 3-year-old's autism diagnosis, offering both practical guidance and emotional reassurance that the confusion and overwhelm they felt was completely normal. Several members shared essential first steps, including applying for SSI benefits regardless of severity, contacting county social workers to access state services, getting formal medical documentation from a doctor, pursuing speech and occupational therapy evaluations, exploring dietary changes and food allergy testing, and connecting with organizations like TACA for mentor support. A recurring theme was the importance of self-advocacy with schools and insurance companies, reading extensively about autism and sensory processing disorder, and remembering that while the initial flood of phone calls and waiting lists feels impossible, parents are their child's best champions and this community walks alongside them.

A MyAutismTeam Member

Honey, I think it is so hard to find answers is because #1 every state has diff. resources #2. every child is diff. i have read some horror stories and I have read some thinking that i can handle that. Until I can get the direction it's been alot of flash cards,computer time and talking. I have no idea what I am doing, where he falls on the spectrum or anything. Argh, but he's talking more, but I also notice more stimming (he's a hand flapper) So hang in there honey, in the mean time depending on your income etc, start the SSI going too

July 14, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

My best advice is first start reading all you can on autism. Second get a social worker. Call your county offices first and see if they can help you. Find out the laws in your state to see if insurance covers autism therapy. Also find out if you state has a medicaid secondary coverage which your child may qualify for his disability. Also don't know where you got your diagnosis from but if it wasn't a doctor get a formal appointment to have a doctor give you the diagnosis. You will need it from a doc. Get you child in the school system if they have not started school yet, or a birth to 3 program. You can usually find these on a state website. Get you doctor to order speech, OT, and PT evaluations for you. Also if there is an ABA facility in your area check into it and get on the waiting list. Even if you decide not to do this kind of therapy you can get on the list. Our waiting list was 6 months and could have been longer. Check into you current health insurance and see what they cover as far as therapys and co pays, visits per year etc. Find a support group in your area. Talking to other parents can send you down the right path. I think autism speaks has a what to do in the first 120 days after diagnosis or something like that. Also read all you can about sensory processing disorder. Every child with autism I was told has sensory issues and so you can be aware of this also. These are the things I wish I knew right away. If you have any more questions or want my input further let me know. God Bless and good luck. I will pray for you.

July 16, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

Educate yourself talk to your child's doctor. Go to the library and read about it. You kind of learn as you go along what will work for your child.

July 18, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

I forgot we took my son to an allergist to check for food allergies. The change of diet helped a ton. He could not digest the protien in milk so it would build up in his body. This helped a lot.

July 16, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) can match you up with a mentor parent who has experience with using biomedical treatments. Definitely worth contacting them to see if there is a mentor parent in your area. http://www.tacanow.org/about-taca/parent-mentor...

July 16, 2013

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