First-Download our developmental history here. Fill this out. It will help you remember key dates and developmental milestones, and help you communicate your concerns and not leave anything out during your conversation with the doctor.

Second-Come into the center for a free autism screening. We will review the developmental history with you and review an autism checklist with you. From there, we will refer you to a specialist if need be.

Third-Make an appointment with your doctor and tell him/her your concerns. If he/she dismisses your concerns, be persistent! Ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician. He/she is an expert in developmental disorders and can arrange a full assessment.

Fourth-Once you get a diagnosis from a physician, you need to call your local Regional Center. For Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, it is the Inland Regional Center. They will arrange an evaluation for services. Depending on the severity of your child's disability, you may receive in-home ABA therapy, speech services, occupational therapy, respite care, etc. Once you are an IRC client, you are also eligible to attend two conferences per year, paid for by the IRC.

Fifth-If your child is 3 or older, you can also receive services from your local school district. Contact the Special Education Department at your local school district and tell them your child was just diagnosed with autism and you need to know what kind of services he is eligible to receive there. Most districts have an autism preschool program and all offer speech therapy. Be sure that the speech evaluation is not just for articulation (saying the sounds and words), but also for pragmatics (how you use speech in every day life-asking for water, telling mommy your stomach hurts, greeting a friend), as this is a serious deficit for children with autism and is often overlooked by speech therapists at the younger ages.

Sixth, get educated. You need to read everything you can get your hands on. We highly recommend you visit Talk About Curing Autism at  www.tacanow.org and sign-up to get a free Families With Autism Journey Guide. This amazing handbook will take you step-by-step through your journey. In addition, New Vision and TACA also host periodic New Parent Seminars, for those new to the diagnosis. These are a must-attend event. You can get information on these seminars on this website and/or the TACA website. We have a lending library you are welcome to borrow books and videos from as well.

Finally, get supported. Join a support group.You need to meet other parents who are going through your situation-they are a wealth of information. It is important, too, that you know you are not alone in this battle. The world of autism is a big family. Click here to view the support groups supported by New Vision Children’s Services.