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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My young toddler was just diagnosed with moderate ASD and recommended for speech, OT, and  ABA. I’m feeling overwhelmed with the logistics of all this, figuring out who the best local therapists are, etc. and not having any luck finding good support. It seems like many other serious, life-altering medical issues for kids have really wonderful and easy-to-find resources for new families, but I’m not finding anything like what my friends who have kids with things like Down Syndrome or diabetes seem to have. When I google for autism resources in my area I get a lot of companies selling services but not really parent support. On social media I find poorly run FB groups full of pseudoscience and people saying ABA is awful. Is there some great resource that I just out there that I just haven’t found?  We’re not in DC, but wanted the anonymous place to ask.[/quote]

OP, I hear you. I know that feeling at first, I felt the same way. Plus, I had moved to a new state shortly before the dx, so I really didn't know anyone.

I would reach out to your friends who have kids with SN and ask questions. Is there a local support group/facebook group for kids with sn (even if not specifically asd). Ask if they know of any good ABA/ST/OT places. Word of mouth is a great way to find providers. Are you involved in a church/place of worship? This can be a great place to meet other parents of kids with sn. I actually found my dc's providers through word of mouth with people I met at church.

As far as ABA, I have limited experience with it, because we got on a waitlist and waited some time, then finally started in late Feb. 2020...yes right then, so dc only got about 3 weeks of it before pandemic (it did reopen of course but my elderly mom helped tranport and before vaccines I did not want any possible exposure for her). Anyhow, dc loved it for the brief time they went. But I know other kids who have had really good experiences with it and have made much progress. I would not hesitate to try it, you can always stop it if you feel it's not best for your dc. I would get on the waitlists right away, it takes time.

ST and OT were great for my dc! I'd get those started asap. Does your dc get any services through Early INtervention (whatever it is called where you are?)

Logistics are tough. I had to accept that dc was just not able to do every single thing that could be helpful for her. I prioritized ST and OT (and ABA for the time we had it). We did Special Olympics Young Atheletes (great program, it's for kids under 8 with sn even if not intellectually disabled, which my dc is not), Tops soccer. Socializing stuff like that.

So defenitely I would try to find local support, like a local network (formal or informal) of others. It's been a wealth of info for me.[/quote]

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