Post Autism Diagnosis Guide for Families
Receiving an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis for your child can bring many emotions, including relief, uncertainty, and hope. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at first. But a diagnosis is also the first step toward getting the support your child needs to learn and grow.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate this next chapter alone. There are trusted professionals, parent communities, and resources ready to guide your family every step of the way.
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1. Take a deep breath
Before you start gathering information or setting up appointments, take a moment to pause. Processing your child’s diagnosis takes time. You may feel grief, confusion, or even guilt. These are all normal reactions for parents learning something new about their child. Try to give yourself space to feel those emotions without judgment.
Remember, your autistic child is the same person they were before the diagnosis. The label doesn’t change who they are; it simply helps you understand how to support them more effectively. If you can, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor to talk through your thoughts and feelings.
2. Learn more about autism
There’s a lot of information about autism online, and not all of it is reliable. Start with trusted sources from healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, and autistic voices. Understanding what autism is (and what it isn’t) helps you make confident, informed choices for your child.
Look for evidence-based guidance about:
- Communication and social development
- Sensory sensitivities and processing differences
- How autism presents across different ages and abilities
- Early intervention and therapy options
If you’re unsure whether a source is credible, ask your child’s doctor for recommendations. Some helpful starting points include:
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3. Compile a list of questions
After receiving an autism diagnosis, you’ll likely have many questions. Writing them down ahead of time can make future appointments with doctors and specialists more productive and less stressful.
Consider asking:
What therapies or interventions are recommended first?
How can I support my child’s progress at home?
What milestones should I look for over the next six months?
What should I share with my child’s school or teacher?
What local resources or parent groups do you recommend?
You can also keep a simple binder or digital folder for medical reports, therapy notes, and school information. Staying organized helps you feel more in control and makes it easier to share updates with your child’s care team.
4. Share your child’s diagnosis
Sharing your child’s diagnosis is a personal decision, and there’s no single right way to do it. When you’re ready, it can help to talk with close friends, teachers, or caregivers so your child has a strong support system in every setting. Most people want to help but may not know how. You can guide them by saying things like, “It’s okay to ask questions, we’re learning too,” or “You can help by giving our child extra time to respond.”
If your child has siblings, talk with them early and often in age-appropriate ways. Encourage them to ask questions and express their feelings. Praise positive sibling interactions, model empathy, and help them understand how to play or communicate with their brother or sister. Sibling support groups can also be a wonderful resource for building understanding and connection.
5. Explore treatment options
Once your child is diagnosed, every moment counts. Your pediatrician may recommend therapies based on your child’s strengths and challenges. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based treatment that helps children build essential life skills through individualized strategies and positive reinforcement. Each child’s plan will look different, depending on their goals and developmental level. The key is finding therapies that fit your child’s needs, and a team you trust to deliver them.
Here’s what the process typically looks like at Action Behavior Centers:
- Initial assessment: Before therapy begins, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) will assess your child’s strengths, needs, and your family’s goals to create an individualized therapy plan.
- Personalized care: During therapy, a Behavioral Therapist (BT) or a Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®), under the supervision of a BCBA, will work directly with your child to build skills in communication, socialization, school readiness, and behavior support.
- Ongoing evaluation: The BCBA will track your child’s progress over time, adjusting goals as they master new skills and reach milestone moments.
- Family support: At least twice a month during Family Guidance, you’ll meet with your child’s BCBA to review progress, celebrate wins, and learn ways to continue supporting your child’s growth at home.
6. Learn about insurance coverage
Navigating insurance for your child’s autism treatment can be challenging. At Action Behavior Centers, we verify ABA therapy coverage, deductible information, and out-of-pocket costs with your insurance company to ensure you can focus on your child’s care. We work with many major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna, and bill them directly for services.
7. Build an autism support team
Parenting an autistic child is a journey best shared with others. Your “team” may include healthcare providers, therapists, teachers, extended family, and other parents who understand.
Connecting with local or online autism communities can provide both emotional support and practical advice. You might find groups through schools, social media, or community centers. Listening to other parents’ experiences can help you feel less alone and more empowered.
Your support team should also include professionals who communicate clearly and treat your family with respect. You are your child’s best advocate, and having trusted partners by your side can make all the difference.
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Frequently asked questions
Check out our FAQ resource page for more information.
How soon can my child start ABA therapy after receiving a diagnosis?
How are parents involved in ABA therapy?
Parents are a key part of every child’s progress in ABA therapy. At Action Behavior Centers, we partner closely with families through Family Guidance sessions, where you’ll meet regularly with your child’s BCBA to learn practical strategies you can use at home. This teamwork helps ensure your child continues learning and growing beyond the therapy center.
What strategies can I use to handle challenging behaviors at home?
Challenging behaviors often happen when a child is trying to communicate a need they can’t express yet. At home, it helps to look for the why behind the behavior: what happened right before, what your child might be feeling, and what they’re trying to get. Once you understand the reason, you can teach a safer or more effective way to meet that need. Stay calm, consistent, and positive. Use clear directions or visual reminders, and praise your child when they demonstrate a newly learned skill.
Not sure where to start on getting a diagnosis?
Even if your child does not already have an autism diagnosis you can complete our brief online interest form or contact us. If your child has many of the early signs of autism and does not yet have a diagnosis, we offer the following diagnostic support services:
No-cost online screening tools
Schedule an autism assessment near you
Action Behavior Centers provides the ADOS-2 and Initial Diagnostic Evaluations (IDEs) for children ages 18 months to 6 years. Contact us to learn about the autism diagnostic support services available in your area.
Help your child thrive with ABA therapy.
Complete our online interest form to get matched with a center. We will be in touch soon!
