Your first steps after an autism diagnosis
For parents of kids and teens, and for adults who were just diagnosed themselves. Go at your own pace. Pick your path and skip anything that doesn't fit.
Choosing a path hides the other one. You can switch any time.
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The first few days
A diagnosis can bring relief, worry, grief, or all three in the same afternoon. Every one of those reactions is normal. Nothing on this page has to happen today.
A diagnosis doesn't change who you or your child are. It gives you a name for how a brain works, and it opens the door to support that fits.
This week, just do three things.
- Ask the evaluator for the full written report, if you don't have it yet.
- Start one folder, paper or digital, for every record from here on.
- Write your questions down as they come up. They are easier to ask later.
Reading the report
Evaluation reports are long and full of clinical terms. These are the parts worth finding first.
- The diagnosis itself. Usually written as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a diagnostic code insurers use.
- Level of support. Level 1, 2 or 3, for social communication and for restricted or repetitive behaviors. It describes how much support helps right now. It can change over time.
- Anything else identified. ADHD, anxiety, language delays and sensory differences often show up alongside autism.
- Recommendations. The list of suggested services, such as ABA, speech therapy or occupational therapy. Insurers and schools will often ask for this page.
If any of it is unclear, ask the evaluator for a follow-up to walk through it. That is a normal request.
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Your first 30 days
A gentle order to take things in. Check items off as you go. Your checkmarks stay in this browser only.
Week 1
Weeks 1 to 2
Weeks 2 to 3
Weeks 3 to 4
Under 3: Early Intervention
Early Intervention Colorado supports children from birth until their third birthday. The evaluation is free, and anyone can make the referral, including you.
- Call the referral line at 833-733-3734 (833-REFER-EI).
- Or email GetStartedwithEI@state.co.us, or use the online form at eicolorado.org.
Early Intervention and ABA can run at the same time. With your permission, the two teams can share goals.
School support
Your child's public school district must look for and evaluate children ages 3 to 21 who may need special education. This is called Child Find, and the evaluation costs you nothing.
A medical diagnosis and a school evaluation are separate
The school runs its own evaluation to decide whether your child qualifies for special education. A medical diagnosis doesn't automatically qualify a child. The school also can't require one before it evaluates.
How to ask
- Ages 3 to 5: contact your district's Child Find office.
- School-age: email or write to the principal and special education team asking for a special education evaluation. Keep a copy with the date.
IEP or 504 plan
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) provides specialized instruction and services. A 504 plan provides accommodations, such as a quiet place to test or breaks during the day. The evaluation helps decide which fits.
PEAK Parent Center offers free help with the school process in English and Spanish at 719-531-9400.
Insurance and Medicaid
Private insurance
Colorado law requires state-regulated health plans to cover the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism, including ABA. There are no age or dollar caps in the law. Deductibles and copays still apply.
Many large employers use self-funded plans, which don't have to follow state rules. Your HR team can tell you which kind you have.
- Is my plan fully insured or self-funded?
- What does my plan cover for autism, ABA, speech and occupational therapy?
- Do I need prior authorization or a referral?
- What will I pay: deductible, copay or coinsurance?
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and a reference number.
Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
Health First Colorado covers medically necessary behavioral therapy for members under 21. A provider requests approval before therapy begins. Questions about your membership go to the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943.
Extra support for higher needs
Some children with intensive needs qualify for a Medicaid waiver, such as the Children's Extensive Support (CES) waiver. Waivers add services like respite. Your local Case Management Agency decides eligibility, and some waivers have waitlists. Start at hcpf.colorado.gov/hcbs-waivers.
OG can check your benefits for you. See Insurance & Coverage.
Choosing therapy
Most reports recommend some mix of these:
- ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) builds communication, daily living and social skills, and helps with behaviors that make life harder.
- Speech therapy supports spoken language and other ways of communicating.
- Occupational therapy helps with sensory needs, fine motor skills and self-care.
Questions to ask any provider
- How long is the wait for an assessment, and for a therapist at the hours we need?
- Where do sessions happen: clinic, home, school or the community?
- How will you include us as parents, and how often will we meet with the supervising clinician?
- How do you measure progress, and how will you share it with us?
- How do you respect my child's comfort, preferences and consent?
A program your family can keep up with matters more than a perfect one you keep canceling. Read more in Clinic-based vs. in-home ABA.
Teens: planning ahead
A teen diagnosis often comes after years of feeling different. Include your teen in conversations about it, and let them decide how they want to talk about it with friends.
- Transition planning at school. In Colorado, an IEP must include plans for life after high school starting with the first IEP at age 15, and no later than the end of 9th grade. Your teen should be invited to their own IEP meetings.
- Work readiness. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) offers career services for students and young adults. See dvr.colorado.gov.
- Coverage at 21. Medicaid's behavioral therapy benefit ends at 21, so plan for what comes next a few years ahead.
Caring for the whole family
- Siblings may feel proud, jealous, protective and worried all at once. Short, regular one-on-one time with them helps.
- Explain autism to your child in words that fit their age. Talk about what they are great at, not only what is hard.
- Take breaks. Respite care gives caregivers time to rest. Ask your Case Management Agency or the Autism Society of Colorado about options near you.
- Find other parents. The Autism Society of Colorado runs free parent and family support groups.
Your first 30 days
There is no deadline here. This is a calm order to try if you want one. Your checkmarks stay in this browser only.
Week 1
Week 2
Weeks 2 to 3
Weeks 3 to 4
Making sense of it
Many adults look back on their lives with new understanding after a diagnosis. Old struggles at school, at work or with friends may suddenly make sense. Relief and grief can come together.
You get to choose your words. Some people say "autistic," some say "person with autism," and both are fine. Your diagnosis doesn't have to change anything you don't want it to.
If anxiety or low mood has been part of your story, a therapist who understands autism can help. You can call or text 988 any time you need to talk to someone right away.
Who to tell
Sharing your diagnosis is your decision. You can tell everyone, no one, or a few people you trust.
- Start with someone you expect to respond with care.
- A few sentences are enough. For example: "I recently learned I'm autistic. It explains a lot about how I handle noise and last-minute changes."
- You don't owe anyone your full history or the report.
Work and school
The Americans with Disabilities Act lets you ask an employer for reasonable accommodations. To request one, you usually share that you have a disability. You don't have to share more than the job needs.
Accommodations people often ask for:
- Written instructions or meeting notes
- A quieter workspace or noise-canceling headphones
- Notice before schedule changes
- Flexible break times
The Job Accommodation Network has free ideas and sample letters at askjan.org. In college, contact the disability services office. For help finding or keeping a job, Colorado's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is at dvr.colorado.gov.
Coverage and services
- Private insurance. Colorado's autism coverage law has no age cap for state-regulated plans. Self-funded employer plans may differ, so check with your plan or HR.
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid). Behavioral therapy coverage is broadest for members under 21. For adults it is more limited. Call 1-800-221-3943 for your plan's details.
- Adult waivers. Colorado has Medicaid waivers for adults with developmental disabilities, such as the Supported Living Services (SLS) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) waivers. Eligibility is decided by a local Case Management Agency, and some have waitlists. Start at hcpf.colorado.gov/hcbs-waivers.
- Support that fits adults. ABA for adults focuses on the goals you choose, such as routines, independence or social situations. Speech and occupational therapy can help too.
Finding community
Many adults say meeting other autistic people was the most helpful part of the first year.
- The Autism Society of Colorado runs free support groups, including groups for autistic adults. Call (720) 214-0794 or visit autismcolorado.org.
- Online communities led by autistic adults can be easier to join than in-person groups. Try a few and keep the ones that feel good.
Colorado contacts
Numbers are shown as text so you can copy them.
| Who | Why you'd call | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Early Intervention Colorado Under 3 | Free evaluation and services from birth to age 3 | 833-733-3734 |
| PEAK Parent Center | Free help with IEPs, 504s and school rights, in English and Spanish | 719-531-9400 |
| Health First Colorado Member Contact Center | Medicaid membership and benefits | 1-800-221-3943 |
| Autism Society of Colorado | Information, referrals and support groups for all ages | (720) 214-0794 |
| Division of Vocational Rehabilitation | Job training and support for teens and adults | 303-318-8571 |
| 988 Colorado Mental Health Line | Talk or text with someone right away, any time | 988 |
How OG can help
We're here when you're ready
Optimum Guidance Behavior Consulting provides ABA therapy for children, teens and adults. Sessions happen at our Louisville and Florence clinics, at home, at school or in the community. We don't diagnose autism. We start from the report you already have and build a plan around your goals.
There's no waitlist right now, and we can check your insurance benefits for you.