Moving Beyond the Diagnosis
Now that you have gone through the lengthy process of getting an appropriate medical diagnosis, it is time to figure out your next steps. In our opinion, the best thing you can do is find someone you trust who can guide you. You need to find someone who can do the following:
Actively Listen
Find someone who will listen to you, and really hear what you are saying.
Understand Your Needs
Find someone who understands what you are saying your family needs right now - that may or may not be services for your child.
Provide Logical Perspective
Find someone who can be your logical brain while you sit in your emotional brain for a while.
ABA Spectrum Provides a Holistic Approach
During this time, you are probably thinking emotionally. This is completely normal and understandable because you are looking out for your child. You also need to figure out what a new diagnosis means for you, your child, and your family. You should be emotional.
Find someone who can be your logical brain while you sit in your emotional brain for a while.
They need to understand what you want for your child and your family.
They need to understand what resources you can devote considering time commitments, financial commitments, and drain on the other members of your family.
They need to have a broad understanding of services that are available to you, your child, and your family.
Private services, public services, resources that can help with finances, insurance, etc.
See our post, Getting Started, Does my Child Need a Diagnosis - to get started with CLASS and HCS (they have LONG waitlists, don’t hesitate)They need to be able to be honest with you.
4. They need to be able to be honest with you.
5. They need to be able to analyze all of the information and help you come up with a plan.
Pull Up a Seat. Let’s Work Together for Your Child.
Many times, families get caught up in trying to understand what level of autism their child has. While this may be helpful information for some, we believe it is more important to pause, take a deep breath, get support, and then make a plan. Regardless of the level of autism, it is important for you to develop a plan with the future in mind. In this video, Caroline Nelson provides some wonderful information on planning and preparing for the future. Caroline is a parent of an adult son with autism and an attorney.
If you need help following a diagnosis, please reach out to us. We can help you or we will get you in contact with someone who can serve as your support person.
