So I was told my son who is 2 should get and evaluation done for autism which I did see some signs and concerns with him but ig my question is how did you mom who have had this experience go about doing all this and finding the places that help with this ?
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I got a referral to the closest Children’s Hospital, which is the closest place that has a developmental pediatrician and can do those eval‘s, and I received a call back stating that they cannot
Accept my child as a patient because we live more than two hours away. Apparently that’s becoming more and more common. This was at Childrens Mercy in Kansas City and I am even further away from any other developmental pediatrician clinic so I found it really sad that they are refusing to take patients when patients have nowhere else to go. Sadly just 2 years ago my son had been referred there and I didn’t have any issues with him being seen. I was basically told that there’s too many people putting their names on the waiting lists and they’ve just decided that if you live more than two hours away, you can’t be seen there.
Get a referral from the pediatrician to go to an autism center then call autism center and get on the wait list. Most places in my area are a 6-18 months wait to get into so I definitely recommend getting that done ASAP.
Start with your childs doctor
Go to his pediatrician first he/she can give you a referral for your child to get evaluated
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My nephew and niece was both referred from the children’s centre/health visitors at a young age they could tell they had autism their now 9 & 5 (nearly )
I had to get a referral from my son’s pediatrician.
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I don’t live in the states. I got the diagnosis from a neurologist certified with ADOS-2.
The pediatrician did a referral to one location, but they wanted a preschool evaluation (might have been due to being slightly older than 2). But anyways, ask the pediatrician and if they cant/won’t send a referral then contact your school districts chair person for special education.
You can look around and see who does evaluations. The place my son was referred to had a waiting list that was longer than I was willing to wait. So I put him on waiting lists in our neighboring states and he was able to get into one of them in less than two years. After the evaluation you will get referrals for therapies and programs that could him, do not feel like you have to accept every referral or stay with a program that you don’t feel is beneficial. The only thing we did and stuck with for my son is speech and he went from nonverbal to verbal in a couple years, and is still working with his therapist for comprehension. We will be going down the same road with my daughter soon. It’s a lot to take in at first, but it truly does get easier.
You can ask for a referral from your child’s pediatrician. They will likely send you to a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist/neuro-psychologists
In my area, and I presume others - it is quickest and easiest to get into a psychologist, but all specialists have a waiting period. My suggestion is to get on the waiting list at several if you are able.
If you are in the US I would also get in touch with your your state’s birth-3yr program. It is called something a little different everywhere, but often referred to as “early intervention”. They can not diagnose your child but can help you with additional resources and help with the transition to school when the time comes. Very helpful. It is a free service in every US state.
I have two kiddos with autism I got a referral from their pediatrician they will also want to do a separate one once they’re school age through the school district
Developmental pediatrician. Google autism dr in your area.
Call your insurance or start googling places around your area. We knew going into the first appt that something was going on so finally having an answer was a relief. For our second it was pretty much a guarantee. Covid made the testing place close and then they had a long waitlist. We weren’t upset or anything. The younger you get it diagnosed the sooner you can get specific services to help. ABA is considered a bad thing in many autism groups by the person and their families. But speech, OT and such can really help. And in regards to school you can have them tested as well and provide them with the medical diagnosis to help with whatever educational diagnosis they find.
Personally I would start a binder to keep copies of the results from the testing place and any other stuff that comes up in regards to testing or services. It’s very helpful to be able to locate stuff esp once kiddo is in school and may have an IEP/504!
Start with your child’s doctor, referral for a paediatrician. Do it sooner then later. Can take time to get in.
My daughter is 11 years old, ASD level 2 