We have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Texas for our daughter. Check out https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/.

Please be aware that the autism spectrum is pretty wide so advice from well meaning people may not apply to your child. We were told today that there's a 10 year wait for group homes for 18 year olds with autism in Texas. Our daughter is 7 and they said we should sign up even if we never put her in a group home. We don't plan on the group option but it's sad that there's a 10 year wait list for anything in America. It sends the message that the state hopes we will just give up or go away.

Hello! congratulations on having a child on the spectrum! I have ASD, My 15 year old son does as well as my nephew, My father and my aunt..We also think My grandfather would have been diagnosed but it was a highly misunderstood thing when he was growing up...ANYWAY. First thing first, the main thing to understand is this is not a bad thing or a mental illness. Your son is just processing the information in his environment differently than many typical people. Every person with ASD is different and will need different types of therapies to fit them. Working with your son to discover what helps sooth him, what sets off overloads along with his special strengths and weaknesses is key. Having a positive outlook on ASD is crucial. Celebrating and nurturing the gifts that often accompany the struggles keeps us all going. Insurance will be very important covering special therapies he might need along the way. Patience and understanding for yourself are just as important as for your child in hard times. Keep reaching out to those of us who understand as there is great power and strength that comes with relating to others. Even when it doesn't "fix" anything. It can be tremendously helpful to know you are not alone.