My Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism – What Now?

When hearing that your child is autistic you may feel confused, at times relieved in knowing the answer to the problem and yet again unsure of the plans to be followed next. There is nothing wrong with such an attitude. You never have to go it all alone, and you can find a big circle of friends to lean on as you step up to the plate to take a new direction in life with no ambiguity and no doubt at all.

The first thing one can do is get to know more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Discuss with the group who helped your child in the diagnosis, and ask them questions, visit reputable sources. The more you learn, the more geared you will be to help your kid.

Whenever everything seems to be too much at a time, take time. You do not have to wait to learn everything. There is nothing wrong with taking a break and thinking over the things, then coming back to these discussions and being prepared.

It is not unusual, of course, to feel some kind of wave of emotions, sorrow, concern, doubt. Life could be a bit different than it was imagined, and that is an adjustment. Be nice to yourself and talk out whatever is bothering you, should you need to do it. Be it a family member, someone he or she takes as a friend, or the person he or she works with or someone he or she is related to; he or she has got the right to express what he or she feels.

Helpful Steps to Take After an Autism Diagnosis

In Australia, out of every 100 people, there is one person with autism, and you are not the only one and you do not have to go through this journey on your own. The following are some of the solutions that can be provided:

• Talk it out: Reach out to a person you trust. It can be a psychologist, or competent friend, or parent of another auto autistic child, or a relative.
• Consider a support group: (a support group could be very helpful) Seek autism specific parenting groups in person and on the Internet.
• Love yourself: There is carer support to bring you back into balance. The idea of taking a break is not selfish but necessary.
• Having support (siblings): In case your child has some brothers or sisters, it is possible that they will need space to chat as well. Such organisations as Siblings Australia are good sources of information.
• Talk with the paediatrician of your child: Ask him/her about therapies, milestones in development, additional courses of action that can be done.
• Start your own group: Would you like to have a local support network? Such organisations as Amaze give advice concerning the set up of one.

Dispel guilt: It is not somebody to be blamed for being autistic. Abandon the why in the seeking of how i.e. how you could help your child going forward.

What About NDIS Funding?

National Disability Insurance scheme (NDIS) is one of the funding schemes adopted to help people living with disabilities, such as autism. As a matter of fact, autism is one of the most frequent issues under the scheme.

Having said so, eligibility is determined by the amount of assistance required by an individual.

• NDIS should be approved usually at Level 2 or Level 3 (meaning a significant or very significant support needs).
• Level 1 (needs partial support) can demand preliminary assessment before the judgment is made.

Rest assured that this year of 2017 it may be diagnosed in these categories and the chances are high that you will be able to receive support, although each case is considered separately.

How Support Network Can Help

Regardless of whether your child is included in NDIS funding or not, Support Network is in a position to support you. In case you are entitled to NDIS, we can assist you with getting in touch with qualified support workers and customised services planned exclusively to meet the needs of autistic children and their families.

And even when you are still under the process or you are not eligible, it is okay as well. It does not mean you or your autistic child can no longer get support privately arranged by us and develop a personalized team. That is up to you to combine and alternate depending on your requirements.

We realize that each child with autism is unique, and the same is true with each family. This is why our services are dynamic, individual and made with care. You are not alone and you do not need to work it out all within a short period.

We can be there and help you as long as you promise you will go out and explore your choices or at least talk to someone.