10 Steps to take when your child has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Get on the Medicaid Waiver Autism and Support Services Waiting Lists.
- Call the BDDS (Bureau of Developmental Disabilities) Office at (260) 423-2571 to apply for waivers.
- Your child's diagnosis will determine your child's elgibility for a particular waiver. If you do not have a diagnosis, you will want to obtain one prior to calling. A good person to set up an appointment with is Dr. Dodzik. His office can be reached at: (260) 460-3100.
- Apply for medical benefits based upon need.
- CSHCS (Children's Special Health Care Services) is available as supplemental medical insurance to cover costs that your primary insurance carrier does not. Applications for this program as well as more information can be obtained from the State of Indiana website: http://www.in.gov. Once on the website, simply enter "CSHCS" in the search box and click 'Search'. Click the link that reads 'CSHCS Home'. Or if you prefer, program information can be obtained from the local Office of Family Resources in the county where you live.
- Apply for the Disability Program offered through Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contact the Social Security Administration at: 1-800-772-1213.
- If your child does not have a diagnosis, you should consider obtaining one prior to applying for services (see step 1).
- Call First Steps and/or seek other treatment options
- If your child is under 3 years of age, then he/she is elgible for First Steps. More information about First Steps can also be obtained by visiting the State of Indiana website: http://www.in.gov and doing a search on "First Steps" on the page. If you live in Northeast Indiana, First Steps information can be found at: http://www.indianafirststeps.org. Each county has their own First Steps office. In Allen County, the number is (800) 441-7837 (STEP). For other counties in Northeast Indiana, you can visit: Act Positive.
- If your child is age 3 or older, then you have the option of special education through the public school system.
- It is also helpful to know that there are some other options available for Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy:
- Obtain an evaluation and support from a professional who is passionate about Autism.
- You will want to find someone who can advise and support you and your child for years to come. Typically, families find this support in Speech and Language Pathologists, Certified Behavior Analysts, Family Therapists, etc. Call ACT at (260) 609-7412 for choices in our area.
- Verify if the Indiana Autism Insurance Mandate works for you.
- Subscribe to the Reporter published by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.
- Subscribe to the Autism Community of Northeast Indiana mailing list.
- Go to a support group meeting.
- Go to a conference on Autism.
- Financial assistance to attend conferences is available through the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community: (800) 825-4733 or http://www.inf2f.org.
- For more information on conferences and other very helpful information about Autism:
- Consider seeking the support of a marriage and family therapist familiar with Autism or individual or marital counseling.
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