At Little Spurs Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. Our mission is to provide comprehensive developmental and behavioral care for children and adolescents ages 0–21. We tailor our services to each child’s unique strengths and needs.
My Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism: Now What?
Receiving an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. However, understanding the next steps can help your family move forward with confidence.
Here’s what families should know after a diagnosis.
Medical vs. Educational Diagnosis
Medical Diagnosis
A qualified healthcare provider completes a medical diagnosis. This diagnosis is often required for insurance coverage. Additionally, it allows children to access services such as ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Educational Diagnosis
A school district completes an educational diagnosis. Schools use this information to determine eligibility for special education services. However, insurance companies do not accept educational diagnoses for therapy coverage.
School Support: ARD and IEP
ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal)
The school holds an ARD meeting to determine eligibility, review progress, and adjust services. Furthermore, parents play an important role and participate as equal members of the team.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
An IEP outlines your child’s educational goals, accommodations, and support services. In addition, the school reviews and updates the plan annually to reflect your child’s needs and progress.
Therapy Options
Many children with autism benefit from a combination of therapies.
- Speech Therapy helps improve communication skills.
- Occupational Therapy (OT) supports daily living and self-help skills.
- Physical Therapy (PT) improves movement, balance, and coordination.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) helps develop communication, social, and independent living skills through individualized support.
Before therapy begins, many insurance plans require a referral from your child’s pediatrician. Next, the therapy provider submits documentation for insurance authorization. Therefore, it is important to keep a copy of your child’s medical diagnostic report. Most providers will require this documentation before starting services.
We’re Here to Help
We understand that developmental and behavioral concerns can feel overwhelming. That is why our team guides families through every step of the process. We provide expert evaluations, compassionate care, and practical recommendations that support your child’s growth and development.
What We Offer
Our team provides developmental screenings and behavioral evaluations for children and young adults. Services include ADOS-2 autism assessments, ADHD consultations, and developmental evaluations. Additionally, we offer services in both English and Spanish.
These evaluations help identify areas where a child may need additional support. As a result, families gain valuable answers, recommendations, and resources for next steps in care and therapy.
Take the Next Step
If your child recently received an autism diagnosis, remember that you are not alone. With the right support, children with autism can continue learning, growing, and building meaningful life skills.
Contact our team today to learn more about available services and receive the guidance your family deserves.
