Resources for a Newly Diagnosed Individual

Preschool

Getting an autism diagnosis is often overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start with getting services and supports in place for your child. In fact, you may not even be sure what services are appropriate or available in your area. The first step is to contact your local Early Intervention office if your child is under the age of 3. If your child is 3 or older, you should contact your local Intermediate Unit to enroll in services. Links to find these agencies in your county are located below. Once you get involved with Early Intervention or Intermediate Unit, they can assist you in setting up appropriate services and supports and often help families navigate multiple service systems.

Another important step is to connect with other families. While this can be difficult at the beginning, connecting with families can often provide invaluable information from people who have navigated the same systems you are starting to learn about. Often families have recommendations about providers and services that you won’t find anywhere else! Below you will find a link to the ASERT Support Group Map where you can search by county for a group in your area. If you’re not quite ready to attend a meeting in person, it also includes information about online support groups.

Getting your child enrolled in Medical Assistance can be another important step in accessing services and supports. Even if your child is covered by private insurance, Medical Assistance can help cover the cost of medication and treatments that your insurance may not cover. The link below can direct you to your local County Assistance Office which processes all Medical Assistance applications.

The final links are guides developed by Autism Speaks and the Center for Autism Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and provide detailed information and step by step guidance to newly diagnosed families.

School Age

Getting an autism diagnosis is often overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start with getting services and supports in place for your child. In fact, you may not even be sure what services are appropriate or available in your area. One of the first steps is to notify your child’s school of their diagnosis. If the evaluation was conducted outside of the the school setting, the school may want to conduct their own evaluation before providing specialized services. The process of submitting a formal request, completing the evaluation and then scheduling the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting can be long so it is important to do this early after receiving the diagnosis. Links below provide information about the evaluation/IEP process as well as an individual’s right to special education. The PEAL Center is a statewide agency that can also provide information, resources and advocacy related to the education system.

Contacting your County Mental Health/Intellectual Disability Provider or Intermediate Unit is another important step to take after receiving a diagnosis of autism. Links to find these agencies in your county are located below. Once you get involved with your County MH/ID or Intermediate Unit, they can assist you in setting up appropriate services and supports and often help families navigate multiple service systems.

Another important step is to connect with other families. While this can be difficult at the beginning, connecting with families can often provide invaluable information from people who have navigated the same systems you are starting to learn about. Often families have recommendations about providers and services that you won’t find anywhere else! Below you will find a link to the ASERT Support Group Map where you can search by county for a group in your area. If you’re not quite ready to attend a meeting in person, it also includes information about online support groups.

Getting your child enrolled in Medical Assistance can be another important step in accessing services and supports. Even if your child is covered by private insurance, Medical Assistance can help cover the cost of medication and treatments that your insurance may not cover. The link below can direct you to your local County Assistance Office which processes all Medical Assistance applications.

The final links are guides developed by Autism Speaks and the Center for Autism Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and provide detailed information and step by step guidance to newly diagnosed families.

Adult

Getting an autism diagnosis is often overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start with getting services and supports in place. In fact, you may not even be sure what services are appropriate or available in your area.

Contacting your County Mental Health/Intellectual Disability Provider is an important step to take after receiving a diagnosis of autism. Links to find these agencies in your county are located below along with information on the Medicaid Waiver programs available to individuals with autism, and how to get registered for those programs.

Getting enrolled in Medical Assistance can be another important step in accessing services and supports.  The link below can direct you to your local County Assistance Office which processes all Medical Assistance applications. Additionally, applying for Social Security may be another thing to consider and look into.

The final links are guides for talking with employers, a kit from Autism Speaks for individuals diagnosed as adults as well as information for connecting to autism advocacy organizations.