Parenting a child with autism can be challenging at times, and it is important that parents/caregivers have access to supports and community to promote self-care and gain understanding from others who have been in your shoes! Here are some common resources that I provide to parents whose child is receiving a new autism diagnosis:

 The Autism Society of America (www.autism-society.org) connects people to resources they need through education, advocacy, and community programming. The Autism Society has many local chapters, so you can search on their website to try to find your local chapter and what additional resources are available to you in your local area.

 Learn the Signs Act Early (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html) includes information about developmental milestones and provides a milestone tracker app.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, which is a treatment available for children diagnosed with autism, has experienced some controversy over the years. As such, it is important that families make informed decisions about whether they would like to pursue ABA therapy for their child. Should you choose to initiate ABA therapy services, I highly recommend that parents educate themselves about what ABA therapy should look like and be heavily involved in the treatment process to ensure that services being provided are aligned with your goals for your child. Here is an article that I find helpful for assisting families in making decisions about ABA therapy:​ Making Informed Decisions: Understanding and Navigating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): https://autismsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_Making-Informed-Decisions_ABA_05-23-23.pdf