Diagnosis Autism: Now What?

Understand what autism means after a diagnosis, including the spectrum, social emotional and communication challenges, and how recognizing strengths and applying therapies guides services and planning for your child’s future.

Explore local resources and advocacy groups to identify school eligibility, early intervention, and respite care. Connect with supports offering speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and understand insurance coverage.

Learn to evaluate autism treatments by distinguishing evidence-based practices from pseudoscience, focusing on research-supported outcomes, careful data, and individual differences.

Explore the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention for children with autism, comparing in-home therapies with center-based programs, and highlighting funding, parent participation, and skill generalization in the natural environment.

Explore how IDEA guarantees free, appropriate education for children with autism from ages 3 to 21 through IEPs, evaluations, and related services.

Applied behavioral analysis, an evidence-based approach to autism, uses discreet trial training, verbal behavior, and functional assessments to teach skills and reduce problem behaviors.

Pivotal response training targets the development of communication, language, and positive social behaviors through naturalistic, play-based interventions that use child initiation to improve sociability, communication, behavior, and academic skills.

Discover TEACCH's structured teaching approach for autistic and communication handicapped children, using visual supports and physical organization, scheduling, and teaching methods to maximize independence across home and school.

Apply the dir/floortime developmental, individual difference, relationship-based model to comprehensive intervention, meeting children at their developmental level to expand communication, self-regulation, and social-emotional thinking through parent-on-floor, child-led interactions.

Medications can treat autism symptoms with behavioral therapies, including off-label use for disruptive behaviors like aggression and rituals. They may not work for everyone and require consulting a doctor.

Explore social thinking as a framework for interpreting social cues and communication, using visual supports, modeling, and self-management to support autism and other social learning needs in schools.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals with autism control emotions and impulses, reducing anxiety and depression by changing thoughts; used with older children and in early intervention.

Explore alternative approaches to autism management, including elimination diets (gluten-free, casein-free, Feingold), sleep-related supplements like melatonin, and professional guidance, noting the limited evidence for effectiveness.

Evaluate autism therapies using evidence and outcomes from trusted organizations like the National Autism Center, National Association of School Psychologists, and Autism Speaks to guide you toward proven, effective options.

Evaluate ADHD treatment claims by examining evidence through the dimensions of speculation versus demonstration, and subjective versus objective. Seek published studies, use controlled comparisons, and beware testimonials.

Consider each family's unique financial, resource, and time constraints when planning next steps for early intervention. Be proactive and support households to minimize strain and neglect concerns.

Navigate what to do next with tools to build a supportive team, respect your independent decision making, and use evidence-based practice standards and dimensions to distinguish therapies.