STEP 1: Obtain A Copy Of The Complete Diagnostic Report
You will need to obtain a complete copy (all pages, even if they don’t look important) of your child’s diagnostic report. Save a pdf of this in your files with an easy-to-remember name. You will need to be able to access this report and send it to insurance, providers and school, when requested.
STEP 2: Decide Which Services You Want To Explore / Prioritize
After a diagnosis, your child may be referred for several different types of therapy. Common services include Speech Therapy (ST), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy.
Each therapy focuses on different skills, and the amount of time your child spends in each one can vary significantly. Some therapies may involve one or two appointments per week, while others—such as ABA—may be recommended for multiple hours per week.
Seeing several recommendations at once can feel overwhelming. You may not have the time, availability, or resources to start everything at the same time—and that's okay.
Talk it through with your child’s other parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s), as well as trusted friends or family members. You can also schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to discuss the recommendations and get their input before deciding what feels right for your child and family.
Before committing to any one service or building out your child's therapy schedule, verify your insurance coverage first. The next step will walk you through what to ask so you know what's covered, what requires authorization or a referral, and which providers are in network.
STEP 3: Check Insurance Requirements
Once you have an idea of which service or services you want to pursue, this is an important next step! Calling your insurance to verify coverage and requirements first will prevent you and your future provider(s) from running into any issues with authorization for autism support services in the future.
STEP 4: Obtain Referrals (if needed)
Based on what you learn after speaking with your insurance, referrals may or may not be necessary. If they are needed, make sure you call your provider’s office and request a referral as early as possible.
STEP 5: Start Contacting Providers
Even before you have the referrals in-hand, you can start reaching out to providers in your area. Make sure all providers are in-network.
STEP 6: Contact Your Child’s School
If your child is currently in school, reach out and request an evaluation through the school for available accommodations and services.
We are here to make complicated services a little easier to navigate. Send us the questions you're running into—from ABA authorizations and insurance to Medicaid, IEPs, and planning for adulthood—and we'll continue breaking down the information you need. Send us an email at: [email protected]
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