Families of Newly Diagnosed Children: What do I do now?!

Ten things to do first to secure services when you find out your child has autism

Compiled by Susan Hansen, Updated by Michele Trivedi Contact numbers for FSSA and BDDS may vary by location

1. If under 3, get into First Step program. Run by Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Contact Indiana First Steps at 1-800-441-STEP (Website: http://www.state.in.us/fssa/first_step/)
2. Contact your local school to secure any and all special education services to which you are entitled. These services start before kindergarten at age 3.
3. If your child has more needs than can be met by the school, ask about extended school year (schooling during the summer) and about applying for special wraparound funding (secures extra help at home and in community) through the Department of Education. Be insistent. Must apply through your local school.
4. Enroll your child for all three Medicaid waivers (currently there are waiting lists). These provide a variety of services in your home or in the community to help your child with autism (Website: http://www.in.gov/fssa/servicedisabl/waivers.html). For general questions about Medicaid waivers contact your local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) office—part of FSSA. For general information, contact FSSA—317-233-9525. For contact information for your local BDDS office: http://www.in.gov/fssa/servicedisabl/field/index.html.
• DD waiver. Administered both by CICOA and BDDS. To enroll: Indianapolis: CICOA area 8: 254-5465 or 800-489-9550; BDDS area 5: 254-2065.
• Autism waiver. Administered by FSSA. To enroll, use contact numbers above.
• Support Services Waiver. Lower cap Medicaid waiver. To enroll, use numbers above.
5. Obtain respite help through local ARC of Indiana chapter. Coordinated through the local ARCs, many of which provide direct care services. (Website: http://www.arcind.org/local_arc_of_indiana_chapters.htm). Noble is the ARC for Indianapolis. Sliding fee depending on income.
6. If you are desperate, apply for Family Subsidy. Can be used to help pay for services like respite. Contact your local BDDS offices.
7. Plan ahead for day care and summer needs. Kid’s Crossing in Indianapolis (day care through Crossroads of Indiana for children with disabilities – 317-479-3231)
8. Join a support group. For more info, go to Autism Society of Indiana website: http://www.autismindiana.org/home.html. For Central Indiana Chapter of Autism Society or the Indiana Resource Center for Autism Website
9. Determine if your insurance plan is covered under the Indiana Autism Mandate, which may require your health insurer to pay for treatment such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (Lovaas or Verbal Behavior) see Insurance Info section of Little Star Center’s website