My Child Was Diagnosed With Autism. What Do I Do Next?
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can bring many questions at once.
What happens now? What kind of therapy does my child need? Where do I start?
You do not have to figure everything out in one day. An autism diagnosis can help you better understand your child’s individual needs and begin identifying the support that may be appropriate for them.
For many families, one of the services they encounter after an autism diagnosis is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
At Door to the Soul, we provide ABA Therapy services for children and families in Miami, Homestead, and surrounding South Florida communities.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can affect children differently. Your child’s strengths, communication skills, behaviors, learning needs, and level of independence may be very different from those of another child with the same diagnosis.
That is why treatment should not begin with a one-size-fits-all program.
A qualified professional can help identify your child’s specific needs and determine which services may be appropriate.
behaviors that interfere with everyday functioning.
Depending on the individual child, ABA programs may focus on areas such as:
- Communication and functional language
- Social and play skills
- Daily living and independence
- Following routines and transitions
- School-readiness skills
- Emotional and behavioral regulation
- Safety skills
- Parent and caregiver training
The goals selected for therapy should be individualized to the child, rather than based solely on the autism diagnosis.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that uses principles of learning and behavior to teach meaningful skills and address
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can evaluate your child’s behavioral and learning needs and determine whether ABA therapy is appropriate.
If services are recommended, the BCBA develops an individualized treatment plan with measurable goals based on the child’s needs.
Parents and caregivers are an important part of this process. ABA should not simply be something that happens during a therapy session; families can also learn strategies for supporting skills in everyday situations.
Families may have several ways of accessing ABA services depending on their circumstances.
Some health insurance plans provide ABA benefits when medical-necessity and eligibility requirements are met. Families may also choose private-pay ABA services, which can provide another option when insurance coverage is unavailable or when a family prefers to pay directly for services.
Before beginning treatment, ask the provider to explain the evaluation process, expected schedule, costs, insurance requirements when applicable, and how parents participate in treatment in Miami & Homestead
ABA Therapy
Finding an ABA provider is not only about finding an available appointment. Parents should feel comfortable asking questions about who will supervise treatment, how goals are selected, how progress is measured, and how the family will be involved.
At Door to the Soul, our goal is to provide individualized ABA services while working collaboratively with children and their families.
Ready to Learn More?
If your child has recently received an autism diagnosis and you are trying to understand what comes next, you can speak with our team about the ABA therapy process and available services.