Parent Roadmap
A simple, step-by-step guide to help you move from initial concerns to a plan of action.
1. Know the Signs
Be Attentive. Trust Your Gut.
Early signs of autism often appear before age 2. Recognizing these signs early can make all the difference.
Read About the Signs
- Early signs of autism include limited eye contact, delayed speech, or repetitive behaviors.
- Common early indicators: limited gestures, not responding to name, repetitive movements, unusual reactions to sound or texture.
- Not every child with these traits has autism, but noticing them early helps you take proactive steps.
2. Take the Screener
Get Clarity. Take the First Step.
A quick, 20-question tool can help you gauge whether further evaluation may be needed. It’s free, easy, and widely used by pediatricians.
2. Take the Screener
Get Clarity. Take the First Step.
A quick, 20-question tool can help you gauge whether further evaluation may be needed. It’s free, easy, and widely used by pediatricians.
3. Get a Diagnosis
If the Screener Indicates Risk, Consider an Evaluation.
A high score on this free screener doesn’t confirm autism, but it does suggest that a formal evaluation might be the next step. An evaluation can help you understand your child’s development more clearly and determine whether support services like ABA therapy could be beneficial.
Understanding the Diagnostic Process
- Why it matters: A formal diagnosis is required to access many services, including insurance-covered ABA therapy.
- Why it’s tricky: Most pediatricians don’t diagnose autism. In New Jersey, appointments with developmental pediatricians or child psychologists can involve long waitlists, sometimes several months or more.
- Tip: If your in-network wait is too long, you may be able to see an out-of-network provider faster. Some insurance plans allow this when timely in-network care isn’t available.
- We can help you understand your options and connect with trusted diagnosticians. Book a call on a Tuesday or Book a call on a Thursday.
4. Explore Treatment Options
You Have Options. We Can Help You Think It Through.
Once diagnosed, you’ll hear about many possibilities, from home-based ABA to center-based therapy, or public school programs. The right choice depends on your child’s abilities, age, and your family’s preferences.
Compare Treatment Settings
- Why it matters: The setting and approach you choose can impact progress, family involvement, and insurance coverage.
- Factors to consider:
- Age and developmental stage
- Insurance coverage for ABA
- Quality of public school services in your area
- Severity of symptoms or co-occurring learning needs
- Desired level of parent/family involvement
- Readiness for a structured, school-like setting
- Common settings:
- Public School (in-district, free)
- Private School (out-of-district, tuition-based)
- Home-Based ABA (insurance-funded)
- Center-Based ABA (insurance-funded)
- We can help you weigh these options and understand your rights.
4. Explore Treatment Options
You Have Options. We Can Help You Think It Through.
Once diagnosed, you’ll hear about many possibilities, from home-based ABA to center-based therapy, or public school programs. The right choice depends on your child’s abilities, age, and your family’s preferences.
Compare Treatment Settings
- Why it matters: The setting and approach you choose can impact progress, family involvement, and insurance coverage.
- Factors to consider:
- Age and developmental stage
- Insurance coverage for ABA
- Quality of public school services in your area
- Severity of symptoms or co-occurring learning needs
- Desired level of parent/family involvement
- Readiness for a structured, school-like setting
- Common settings:
- Public School (in-district, free)
- Private School (out-of-district, tuition-based)
- Home-Based ABA (insurance-funded)
- Center-Based ABA (insurance-funded)
- We can help you weigh these options and understand your rights.
5. Choose an ABA Provider
If You’re Using Insurance, Start Here.
Whether your child is old enough for school or not, insurance-funded ABA can offer more transparency, intensity, and quality — if you choose the right provider.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
Where to Start:
- Call your insurance company’s ABA department.
- Confirm your ABA benefits and ask for a list of in-network providers in your area.
- Ask the rep for honest feedback about provider quality and wait times.
- If no one is available, ask if your plan will extend out-of-network benefits.
Key Questions for Providers:
BCBA Involvement
- How often will the BCBA visit in person during the first month?
- After the first month, how many in-person visits per month?
- Does the BCBA ever supervise remotely? If so, how often?
Therapist Assignment & Consistency
- Are your therapists full-time, part-time, or independent contractors?
- How many different therapists will work with my child?
- Will I know my therapist(s) before services start?
- How do you ensure staffing consistency if a therapist leaves?
Treatment Planning & Supervision
- How will the BCBA support the therapist, my child, and/or the therapeutic process between visits?
- Do you collect and review data digitally?
- Will I have access to progress reports or data?
Parent Involvement
- How will I be trained to support my child’s goals?
- How often will parent training occur?
- Can training be customized to my family’s needs and availability?
Policies & Logistics
- What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
- How quickly can services start after insurance approval?
