Right after diagnosis

The diagnosis report

The evaluation report is your primary document. It contains the eligibility criteria used, the evaluation tools administered, your child's present levels of performance, and the evaluator's recommendations. Under IDEA, you are legally entitled to copies of all evaluation reports at no cost — request them in writing if needed.

Several people will need a copy: your child's school or school district (for eligibility determination), your pediatrician (for referrals), your insurance company (for prior authorization), and any therapy providers you work with. Make several copies on day one and keep the originals in your records folder.

Your first calls

What to do next depends on your child's age.

Under 3: Call your state's Early Intervention program. A parent can make the referral directly — no doctor's referral required. The evaluation is free, and the 60-day clock starts from your referral date. Find your state's program on your state hub page.

3 or older: Send a written request to your school district for a special education evaluation. Email creates a paper trail — use it. The district has 60 days to complete the evaluation from the date of your written request.

All ages: Call your pediatrician to discuss the diagnosis and ask for referrals to occupational therapy, speech therapy, and any specialists they recommend. Then call your insurance company and ask: "What is my autism benefit? Is ABA therapy covered? What does prior authorization require?"

Building your records

Start a folder — physical binder or cloud folder — and put everything in it from day one. Schools and insurers lose paperwork. Your copy is your leverage.

What to keep:

• All evaluation reports (initial and any future ones)
• All written communication with the school — email creates the official record, use it
• Every IEP and 504 draft and signed version
• Therapy progress reports and session notes
• Insurance EOBs and any denial letters

Finding support

Your state's Parent Training & Information Center (PTI) provides free advocacy support. They know your state's specific procedures and can help you understand your rights before meetings. Find yours at parentcenterhub.org.

The Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (1-888-288-4762) can connect you with local resources and answer practical questions.

Parent support groups — local and online — can answer the practical "what did you do when..." questions that no official resource covers. Your state hub page links to local groups.

Respite care programs give caregivers structured breaks. Your state's developmental disabilities agency is the starting point — find it on your state hub page.