The Next Steps After an Autism Diagnosis

For families whose children have just received an autism diagnosis, trying to understand what to do next might feel overwhelming. For families hoping to begin applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, the best place to start is by contacting the ABA company to have an initial conversation with the intake team, followed by allowing the company to work with the family’s insurance provider, then finally schedule and complete an ABA assessment to begin therapy. In today’s blog, we’re going to provide some additional information on each of these steps to help minimize stress throughout the process.

The Intake Process

During the initial intake call, a member of our Intake team will ask questions about the child to gather important background information and gain a better understanding of each child’s needs. This process is our first opportunity to create a relationship with the family and is a great chance for families to ask questions about our services. At this time, families will also be asked to provide relevant insurance and diagnostic information.

Working with the Family’s Insurance Provider

Each insurance provider requires different forms of documentation and individual plans allow for varying levels of coverage for ABA services. Before starting services, it is very important to confirm whether ABA is a covered benefit and that the family is comfortable with their coverage information. The intake team’s goal is to use their knowledge of the many insurance networks and their requirements to help families navigate the insurance process and create a smooth transition throughout the intake process and into the onset of services.

The Initial ABA Assessment

Once the preliminary information has been gathered and an authorization has been provided by the insurance company the family will schedule an initial assessment with our team. During the assessment, our clinician will get to know the child as well as speak with the family to learn more about what they are experiencing day-to-day and work together to figure out short-term and long-term goals for the child. The initial assessment is different from the diagnostic assessment in that this assessment allows the child’s clinician to determine which areas should be addressed in the child’s treatment plan. Once this assessment is completed, the clinician will submit the treatment plan to the child’s insurance provider. After receiving approval and authorization from the insurance provider, the family is ready to begin ABA therapy.

At Golden State, we understand that it can be difficult and intimidating figuring out the next steps after a diagnosis. If you or someone you know would like to speak to us for more information, we would be happy to have a conversation with you and help you make the best decision for your child. You can also visit our website for additional information. Have a great day!